A GFA Compassion Services worker wades through a flooded street to bring food to people affected by the floods. (Photo by GFA)
Sri Lanka (GFA/MNN) ― A million people have been affected by the floods that have battered Sri Lanka for weeks. The government estimates damages at $500 million.
With so many who have been impacted by the disaster, it's no surprise that a missionary supported by Gospel for Asia was among the survivors.
GFA's partner, whom they call Anthony, serves as a pastor in the Batticaloa district--one of the hardest hit areas. Although he and his family escaped, they lost everything in a flash flood last week and took refuge with relatives.
Sri Lanka has borne the brunt of several major flooding events in the last 12 months. This latest is the result of unusually heavy monsoon rains that have been falling since November.
The flooding and subsequent landslides came as the people were recovering from a 20-year-old civil war, which ended in 2009. This same area was also hit in 2004 by the Asian Tsunami.
Along with the thousands of homes that were swept away, there are more than 200,000 acres of crops under water.
Gospel for Asia Compassion Services teams are already venturing out into the affected areas to bring emergency relief to the people. Last week, they took 200 food packets to people in the Batticaloa region.
Each food packet contained rice, lentil beans (dhal), sugar, dried fish and soya meat (soy protein and meat substitute). The families also received soap so they can prevent the spread of disease which frequently happens after floods.
The teams also handed out mats to people who are sleeping on floors in the emergency shelters, which are mostly in schools.
"Gospel for Asia's Compassion Services Teams are there to help, to listen, to pray and to share the love found in Jesus Christ," Gospel for Asia President Dr. K.P. Yohannan explains. "Of course we will meet their immediate physical needs, but we'll also be there to tell them about a cure for their spiritual hunger and a love that will long outlast the food we give them."
The teams encountered difficulty reaching the affected areas because of high water; however, they persisted, and their vehicles were able to make it through some of the flooding, for which they are thanking the Lord.
"I spoke with our Sri Lanka country leader last Thursday morning, and he was heartbroken as he told me about the massive devastation," Dr. Yohannan said. "I assured him that our commitment to care for the suffering is strong and that we will commit whatever resources necessary to help these people rebuild their lives. We will continue to get teams in to deliver emergency supplies as long as necessary, and we'll also commit to working with them for the long-term."
