Open Doors Partnering to Provide Aid to Desperate Families
SANTA ANA, Calif., Aug. 23 /
Christian Newswire/ -- Thousands of Pakistani Christians who are victims of catastrophic flooding are being denied aid because of their faith. Open Doors is responding to requests from partner organizations on the ground in Pakistan to provide emergency aid packages for desperate families who have lost everything.
Emergency packs will provide a family of six with essential items, including food, medicines, pillows, blankets, cooking utensils, forks and spoons. To provide an emergency pack, people can call toll free at 888-5-BIBLE-5 (888-524-2535) or visit the Open Doors Website at
www.OpenDoorsUSA.org.
Pakistan's worst natural disaster in its history is being described as a "slow-motion tsunami" that is expected to worsen. The catastrophe has rendered 5 million Pakistanis homeless and over 1600 dead. Over 20 million need humanitarian assistance – food, shelter and emergency care. One-fifth of Pakistan is now under water. Outbreaks of cholera and dysentery have heightened fears of deadly waterborne diseases. The number of people reported to be suffering from acute diarrhea has reportedly reached 200,000.
Many of the suffering Christian families in the region are being denied any assistance because they are Christians. For some, the sole place of refuge is a local mosque, where extremist strongholds are strongest and Christians are, in fact, most vulnerable.
For Muslim Background Believers who have been in hiding, the situation is particularly dire as they are now more exposed than ever. News sources have reported increasing extremist violence against Christians, including demands to either vacate the region or convert to Islam.
"Our brothers and sisters in Christ in Pakistan who have long suffered for their faith are now suffering doubly," said Carl Moeller, President/CEO of Open Doors USA. "Many have lost everything, but not their faith. They are looking to you and me for help in their moment of dire need. Open Doors' goal is to provide relief through our partners in the short term in order to strengthen and equip the Christian community in the long term." Pakistan is ranked No. 14 on the Open Doors World Watch List of 50 countries which are the worst persecutors of Christians.
An estimated 100 million Christians worldwide suffer interrogation, arrest and even death for their faith in Christ, with millions more facing discrimination and alienation. Open Doors supports and strengthens believers in the world's most difficult areas through Bible and Christian literature distribution, leadership training and assistance, Christian community development, prayer and presence ministry and advocacy on behalf of suffering believers. To partner with Open Doors USA, call toll free at 888-5-BIBLE-5 (888-524-2535) or go to our website at
www.OpenDoorsUSA.org.
(For more information or to set up an interview, contact Jerry Dykstra at 616-915-4117 or email
jerryd@odusa.org).
