Reaching as far as Bangladesh, India and Tibet, the magnitude-7.8 earthquake that hit 50 miles outside of Kathmandu, Nepal, on April 25 brought with it widespread death, destruction, panic and urgent need.
The earthquake was the strongest in the region in more than 80 years, and at press time the death toll climbed to more than 6,200, with more than 13,900 injured — but that’s not including numbers from unreachable rural areas. There also were still thousands unaccounted for.
At least seven Christian church buildings were destroyed or severely damaged in Nepal and at press time more than 500 Christians were estimated to have died in the earthquake.
Aftershocks continued to rock the area for several days after the quake. The largest hit the afternoon of April 26, and registered at magnitude-6.7. It caused panic and fear for thousands of locals and tourists packing the streets and open fields of the capital city of Kathmandu.
More than 110 aftershocks
Government officials advised everyone to stay outside until their homes and buildings could be checked. At press time, there had been more than 110 aftershocks measuring above magnitude 4.
The first response by Baptist Global Response (BGR), the Southern Baptist humanitarian organization, included basic survival needs like water, shelter, food and health care. BGR also released $50,000 for initial relief efforts.
However, instead of “instant” aid reaching people, roads were blocked by landslides or were completely crumbled, which slowed relief efforts to areas outside the city.
An international Christian worker in Nepal said finding food — any kind of food — and drinking water are top priorities.
Another international Christian worker, Bekah Rivers, who survived the earthquake, said, “When you are in crisis mode, the schedule goes out the window. The daytime is for making sure gas tanks are filled; there is food for everyone; water is pumped while we have limited electricity; and whether people have shelter. … We are living in community now. We are all here to help one another.”
Evert Swinson, also an international Christian worker, explained that if there is going to be an impact in Nepal for the Kingdom, then it’s going to be through efforts like this — living in community and through local Christians and churches.
“I can’t imagine an organization more strategically prepared to respond. They [BGR] are a trusted partner for us,” Swinson said.
Phase two of BGR’s relief plan began April 27 when BGR representatives arrived in Kathmandu to start assessments of damage and to see how relief workers can make the biggest impact.
Rivers said, “Meeting with BGR and developing a plan for the next few days and even weeks ahead is like a light of hope. We are thankful for people who can come in and think clearly about a plan of action when we are just trying to live through the crisis ourselves.”
Francis Horton, BGR area director for Central and South Asia, requested a Disaster Assessment and Response Team (DART) that landed in Nepal at the beginning of May and planned to spend the week assessing needs.
Horton said a coalition launched among local churches in Nepal and appointed representatives to a disaster relief committee. Many of those representatives have received BGR humanitarian crisis training.
“That’s exciting news — that those guys are getting together and responding and using the local church to do so,” he said.
Horton met with the committee April 29 and finalized partnership plans with BGR. Committee members began relief assessment with DART a few days later.
DART and the committee members made contacts with local officials and leaders in order to determine the major needs other organizations had not yet targeted.
“DART is (a key part) of getting a good assessment,” Horton said. “(It will help) determine how the Church in the United States might be involved in meeting some of those needs, partnering with local folks here in Nepal. That partnership is a key element — really essential in trying to meet the needs in appropriate ways.”
According to Mel Johnson, Alabama Baptist Disaster Relief strategist, Alabama disaster relief personnel, part of Southern Baptist Disaster Relief (SBDR) Region 2, are next in line for international deployment and are on “alert status.”
‘At the ready’
SBDR is divided into six geographic regions to help keep response efforts and personnel organized and to be able to respond in a coordinated way, Johnson said.
“We will remain at the ready to respond as needed,” he said at press time.
Samaritan’s Purse was another relief organization that rushed disaster relief teams, medical personnel and emergency aid to help survivors of the quake. Baptist World Alliance, the United Nations and other international aid agencies also are working in Nepal to help.
David Platt, International Mission Board president, said in a statement, “In light of the lack of gospel access in so much of Nepal, seeing urgent physical and spiritual needs collide like this is overwhelming. Like the falling of the tower of Siloam in Luke’s Gospel, this earthquake is a fresh reminder of the urgent need for God’s people to hasten in getting the gospel to peoples all around the world. … I want to exhort the global Church to seize this opportunity to pray more fervently, give more sacrificially and go more urgently to the peoples of Nepal.”
Getting to rural areas is difficult. Government officials estimate about 80 percent of the houses in rural areas have been destroyed. The quake occurred at a depth of 9.3 miles, which is considered shallow and more damaging than a deeper quake. News from remote areas near the quake’s epicenter, where many more may have died, has been scant.
Christian workers in Nepal are asking believers in the United States to join them in prayer:
- Pray for basic shelter, water and food. These necessities are a high priority.
- Pray for God’s people to deeply know His comfort and peace during this time. Pray they will share the gospel with those around them.
- Pray for people in surrounding areas in the aftermath of this disaster. (Compiled from wire services, TAB)
EDITOR’S NOTE — Names changed for security reasons.
To learn more, visit gobgr.org.
To assist in the Nepal earthquake aftermath, send checks to Alabama Baptist State Board of Missions, P.O. Box 11870, Montgomery, AL 36111. Mark “Earthquake Relief” on the check.
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