Flood Relief in Bihar, India
Starvation, Water Diseases Taking Toll Among Flood Victims in Bihar, India
Lack of food and clean water is beginning to take its toll on flood victims in the Indian state of Bihar, according to reports received in Gospel for Asia’s Texas headquarters.
GFA correspondents on the scene report that thousands of people have scrambled for shelter in Bihar as floodwaters, released by a broken dam upstream in Nepal, raced through several districts of this impoverished Indian state.
The unexpected flooding caused many to abandon their homes and seek relief in makeshift shelters, where food is scarce. Others are stranded in their villages, some living on their rooftops, waiting for rescue.
Those with access to the small food supply and the boats needed to transport people and supplies are allegedly inflating prices of the goods. A GFA correspondent said that rice is selling for four to five times its usual price. When they manage to get a little rice, it is often eaten raw because there is no clean water in which to cook it. Many wells are underwater and are now contaminated.
There are numerous reports of children wailing in hunger at the makeshift refugee camps throughout the state. Some people have already succumbed to starvation and water-borne diseases.
The situation is also grim for people stranded on or near their homes. Many boat owners are demanding exorbitant fees for rescue. The amount of money being demanded is too much for the vast majority of Bihar’s 12 million residents, who live on an income equivalent to less than $1 per day.
The rescue and relief work is also being slowed by the many rebel extremist groups active in the state. The rebels are taking advantage of the chaos to cause more trouble.
GFA President K.P. Yohannan and GFA leaders in Bihar ask for prayer for those suffering in Bihar.
“Please pray that the waters will recede soon so our GFA Compassion Services teams can begin meeting the physical and spiritual needs of the people as soon as possible” Dr. Yohannan said.
> Bihar is known as "The graveyard of missions" Click to find out how it earned this nickname
| Donate now to Flood Relief: |  |
| 100% of donations given to Flood Relief go to the field to help the people in Bihar |