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PAKISTAN: Moderator launches Appeal in aid of Flood Victims

13th August 2010

The Moderator of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland, Rt Rev Dr Norman Hamilton, today launched a church-wide appeal in support of victims of the floods disaster that has caused so much havoc for millions of people in Pakistan.

A letter is on its way to all ministers, asking them to encourage their members to give generous support to the Pakistan Floods Appeal.

The situation in Pakistan caused by phenomenal monsoon rainfall has become increasingly worse as the resulting flood waters have worked their way down the country. Lives and livelihoods have been swept away. Families and communities have lost everything. They have been left marooned in the midst of the swirling waters, without the necessities of life and prey to disease.

Extensive flooding Sawan Khan captures something of the experience of ordinary people when he shares:

“My wheat and cotton crops have been washed away, my house has collapsed, and everything I ever owned has been taken by the flood.”

Up to 9th August, it was estimated that 14 million people had been affected by the floods, with that number continuing to rise daily.

Media sources suggest that the impact of this disaster is as bad as that of the Asia tsunami, plus the Kashmir and Haiti earthquakes.

The Moderator writes:

"In light of this and out of my conviction that the God we worship in Jesus Christ has a heart of compassion for all people, I am writing to ask your support for a special Moderator’s Appeal. Over the next month please give your congregation the opportunity to play their part in reaching out in compassion and solidarity to women, men and children who are in desperate need."

Handing out food aid Contributions received from PCI members through their congregations will primarily be channelled through our partners in Tearfund and Christian Aid.

Both agencies have been working in Pakistan for a long time (Christian Aid since 1954) and are already providing emergency food and medical assistance through their well-established networks.

A portion of contributions received will also be donated to the Presbyterian Church of Pakistan, a partner of PCI through the Board of Mission Overseas. This symbolises our standing alongside our suffering sisters and brothers in a time of particular need.

The Moderator concludes his letter, saying:

"Our God is the One who calls order from chaos, and life from death in the resurrection of Jesus. Chaos has come upon the ordinary people of Pakistan in a terrible way. There is a pressing and poignant need for order and life. That is what this Appeal will help bring about.

To this end, we have sent today a preliminary £50,000 to Tearfund, Christian Aid and the Presbyterian Church of Pakistan as a token of our good faith.

I ask you to give generously, as you did to the Haiti Appeal earlier this year and as you also did for the World Development Appeal."

Contributions gathered through congregations should be forwarded
by treasurers as soon as possible to:

The Financial Secretary's Office
Church House
Fisherwick Place
Belfast, BT1 6DW

Cheques should be made payable to 'The Presbyterian Church in Ireland'
and clearly marked 'Moderator's Appeal for Pakistan'.

Where possible, individuals are encouraged to contribute under the Gift Aid Scheme.

Alternatively, people may give directly to Tearfund or Christian Aid. Details of how to contribute can be found on their respective websites.

Photos: Ashraf Mall/Tearfund