Story number 1 for 17 Jul 2000

We begin today’s newscast in Afghanistan, where the current wave of fighting has shattered hopes for peace talks. The warfare, considered to be the heaviest in several months, started despite appeals by Islamic states to end the conflict. Shelter Now International’s Christopher Jones says the toll has been heavy, since the hostilities come as the country is in the grip of a drought considered to be the worst in 30 years. “European governments have donated about 13-million dollars for this drought, but that’s still not enough funding to cover the food shortage that they will face this winter. It’s just unbelievably devastating, particularly with the continued fighting that is going on in the area. When you put this famine on top of it, it’s a pretty severe humanitarian crisis.” Jones says despite the desperate circumstances, this is where SNI can introduce the Gospel. “It’s a very sensitive subject in such a strict Islamic culture. Pray that we can get continued funding, and pray for the people there. They’ve been at war for 22 years, and we just pray that they will receive the love of Christ and be saved.”