UPDATE: 10/07/2010
A cholera outbreak is jeopardizing people’s health and lives in several districts of the Indian state of Orissa. The Rayagada district suffers the worst of the outbreak. There, the disease has affected more than 200 villages and continues to claim lives.
At this point, the outbreak ravages not only Rayagada but also other districts in western Orissa, including the Kalahandi, Bolangir, Nuapuda and Bargarh districts. Every day, the front pages of Orissa newspapers bear new headlines related to the spread of the disease.
Gospel for Asia-supported workers are poised and waiting for the district government to grant them permission to serve the worst-affected areas with relief supplies and medicine.
In light of this, the GFA-supported workers in Orissa shared the following prayer requests:
- That the district will allow them to carry out medical relief there.
- That God will provide them with enough medicines and materials to use.
- That the Lord will protect them.
First update: from 09/17/2010
Drinking from dirty water can lead to outbreaks of various diseases like cholera and typhoid.
Clean water from sources like this Jesus Well helps keep people healthy. |
Jharkhand
In the state of Jharkhand, India, Gospel for Asia-supported pastor Jaidhara Shah reported that a diarrhea outbreak has affected the area where he ministers. In one village, 10 people died within a few days. In another village, five members of one family died, leaving four young children as orphans. Since then, at least four more villages have been infected with the deadly disease. Jaidhara would appreciate prayer for the following:
- Comfort and help for the four children who were just orphaned
- Healing for those who have become afflicted with diarrhea
- Prevention of the disease from spreading to other areas
- Continued health for him and his family
Orissa
On an even larger scale, the eastern state of Orissa is suffering from a cholera outbreak. Indian news sources report that approximately 140 people have died, and the Rayagada district, where cholera also hit in 2007, bears the most casualties. A lack of medical staff in the area poses a major problem for preventing more deaths. Gospel for Asia-supported workers in Orissa shared the following prayer requests:
- That God will intervene in the situation and heal those afflicted by the disease
- That people will keep homes and other areas sanitary
- That government officials will respond quickly in sending medical teams to treat victims
- That humanitarian organizations will also seek to help those affected by the outbreak