“I don’t know where to go and whom I should ask for help. There’s water everywhere!”
These were the words of an elderly Bangladeshi Christian villager. The old man stood waist deep in the floodwater while cradling his baby granddaughter in his arms.
“I have lost everything. Please help,” he implored, as he and those around continued to wade through the murky waters.
This scene underscores the needs of Christians affected by the recent flooding in Bangladesh.
A community devastated
This is the worst flooding in decades to occur in Bangladesh. Entire villages have been swallowed up by flash floods, caused by nearly double the usual monsoon season rains.
Communities have become isolated, without access to clean water or adequate food supplies to survive.
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An elderly Christian keeps his baby granddaughter from the floodwaters |
Children are perched on windowsills above the waterline, their families helping them balance so that they aren’t submerged. Others, like the old Christian villager, are cradling children to keep them dry.
Some families clutch what little possessions or food they have left, while more have placed anything they can in buckets or on floating debris to help them ferry what they have left as they seek whatever help they can find.
Nearly 10,000 Christians at risk
Our project partner has reported that nearly 10,000 Christians are among those who have been severely affected. Along with dwindling food supplies, they are also at risk of waterborne diseases.
“We Christians are considered unimportant,” says this woman. Her husband is trying to find a temporary shelter, but even if he succeeds they have no food for their children. “We can only depend on God in our crisis,” she adds. Can you help us to meet her needs?
Many have lost their homes, livelihoods, and access to essential services.
To make matters worse, the minority Christian community in Bangladesh is often looked down on and marginalised. Our brothers and sisters will be the last to receive help from the authorities.
Instead, can you help us to provide urgent aid to Christians in desperate need? Anything you give will be used to provide life-saving supplies to those who have been displaced and left with nothing.
