A Look Inside a Relief Camp in Orissa

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Because of persecution, thousands of Christians in Orissa, India, have been forced from their homes. Some are hiding out in the country's dense forests, while others found their way to refugee camps throughout the country.
This refugee camp, operated by the Indian YMCA, is now home to more than 5,000 people.
More than half of the people in this camp used to worship at GFA-related churches. The other half are from a wide variety of Christian faith traditions and denominations.
Feeding everyone is a huge undertaking. The local government will not allow GFA Compassion Services teams in with supplies. There are many other restrictions on which aid workers are allowed to help the persecuted Christians. So GFA missionaries and other workers distribute whatever supplies the YMCA can provide.
These children are waiting for their dinner to be served. They are using banana leaves for plates.
These Christian refugees are lining up to get some rice.
It takes a lot of hands to make sure that everyone gets something to eat.
Shelter is another problem. The building can only house so many people, so others living in makeshift shelters set up outside.
The weather is also causing problems. Heavier-than-normal-rains have flooded many areas in Orissa, including some relief camps.
This particular camp escaped the worst of the flooding. But the rain made living conditions deplorable. The weather is already starting to turn colder, too. A few winter clothing packets were distributed to residents in the camp, but there were not nearly enough for everyone.
For the immediate future, this relief camp will be home for these Christian children. Most of the houses they used to live in have been destroyed, and their families are not welcome to return to their villages.
GFA leaders in Orissa ask for prayers for Christian families like this one. Pray that God will provide all their needs and that He will extend mercy to them in their time of distress. Also pray that a way will open up for GFA to send supplies into the relief camps.
date posted 10/09/08