Cyclone-Hit West Bengal Faces Flooding Again; Missionaries Still Ministering Hope

Just as GFA–supported workers have reached out in the wake of so many other natural disasters in South Asia, such as the 2004 tsunami, they are committed to continuing their ministry of compassion to Cyclone Aila survivors in Jesus' name.

When Cyclone Aila pounded the Bay of Bengal on May 25, Gospel for Asia-supported missionaries immediately mobilized in the hardest-hit areas sharing relief supplies and the love of Jesus.

Even as such relief efforts are underway, cyclone-hit West Bengal, India, was again deluged in early September—less than four months after Cyclone Aila made landfall.

The latest round of flooding was caused by heavy rainfall as well as a release of water from local reservoirs. Close to 2 million people in five districts of West Bengal have been affected by the floods. More than 37,000 people have been rendered homeless, and at least 23 people have died.

According to news sources, the government has responded by setting up relief camps, launching rescue operations and distributing dry rations, drinking water and tarpaulin.

The government commissioned helicopters to airdrop relief supplies in remote areas that were inaccessible even by boat, but villagers claimed that most of the supplies fell into the flood waters.

Even several days after the flooding started, many villagers were still stranded on rooftops waiting for relief.

At least 24 believers lost their homes in the flood and 70 took temporary refuge in the rented home of Indrani Sarin and Priya Verma, two GFA-supported missionaries doing their internship. GFA's state office in West Bengal has supplied the group with food.

GFA leaders request prayer for Indrani and Priya as they have taken initiative to reach and help the hurting and homeless people around them. They also request prayer for the missionaries who remain committed to serving the Aila survivors. They are still reaching out to these people who have suffered so much, with plans underway to construct houses for 200 families who lost their homes. They have also started providing cots and fishing nets for people.

Your gift can help precious Cyclone Aila survivors receive tangible help in Jesus' name in their time of desperate need.

• GFA's West Bengal headquarters doubled as a makeshift shelter for Cyclone Aila victims right after the storm hit.
• Read about some more ways GFA-supported missionaries were able to reach out in the aftermath of the cyclone.
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