Baltimore -- Lutheran World Relief (LWR) is responding to one of the worst monsoon seasons in
living memory in southern and western India. Since mid-June, torrential rains have caused flooding and created havoc in the states of Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, Karnataka, Maharashtra and Gujarat.
In
large parts of these states, electricity has been cut off and fresh water sources have been contaminated. Standing crops have been destroyed and there is a large scale loss of personal and public
property, displacing families and crippling livelihoods. People belonging to marginalized sections are the worst off, with few means of coping. The living conditions in the affected areas and
relief camps are appalling and people lack basic necessities. Currently the state governments are struggling to deal with the situation. In response, LWR has provided $200,000 for relief
efforts to Action by Churches Together (ACT), a global alliance of churches and related agencies that assists in disaster response worldwide, and its partner organizations, Churches Auxiliary for
Social Action (CASA) and United Evangelical Lutheran Church in India (UELCI).Through ACT, LWR is assisting over 58,000 of the most vulnerable people in the affected states. Flood victims are
being provided with emergency food rations, clothing, relief kits, and temporary shelter. Special attention is being given to the elderly, widows, female-headed households, the infirm and
disabled, dalits and those without land.In addition to immediate relief, recovery efforts include repairs to 737 houses and 15 schools. Existing community groups are being mobilized and
equipped to participate in these repairs. LWR’s partner organizations anticipate their efforts will continue until the end of the year.As relief efforts continue in southern and western
states, LWR is receiving reports of additional flooding in northern India. LWR will continue to respond to this country-wide emergency as it unfolds, through its ACT partner organizations.
[ Any views expressed in this article are those of the writer and not of Reuters. ]
