Devastating earthquake in Afghanistan
On August 31, a 6.0 magnitude earthquake—one of Afghanistan’s deadliest in decades—struck the eastern part of the country. This powerful earthquake hit one of Afghanistan’s poorest, most remote regions. For Afghans who lost their homes, meager possessions, and loved ones, the devastation is unimaginable.
Our contacts tell us more than two thousand people were killed, and thousands more injured. Recent heavy monsoon rains made houses of mud-brick and timber especially susceptible to the quake. More than five thousand homes crumbled under the earthquake’s violent tremors. Rescuers dug frantically with their bare hands, looking for survivors under piles of rubble.
Winter is quickly approaching, and people are struggling to survive with no shelter, blankets, or food. Our contacts journeyed throughout the affected areas to evaluate the damage and determine the victims’ greatest needs. They report, “Many Afghans from different provinces have raised money among themselves and are trying to help their comrades. Some people have gone to different areas to rescue people and bring out bodies . . . But the number of affected people is very large and this help cannot reach all the people.”
Although many people lost all their possessions, the report noted food and medical care are most critically needed, along with emergency shelters and blankets. CAM is providing funds to enable contacts to distribute food, tents, blankets, and other emergency aid. We know God is in control and that He desires to use difficult situations to draw people to Himself. Our prayer is that the physical aid will reveal the greater gift of God’s love to the people of Afghanistan. We want to give you, our supporters, the opportunity to join in our efforts.
Severe flooding in Pakistan
People in Pakistan are desperate as heavy monsoon rains caused a flash flood, creating severe flooding with dangerous mudslides and landslides. Fields and villages quickly became lakes of muddy water. “When the streets became rivers, families lost everything,” a CAM contact shared.
Traditional houses in rural South Asian villages are often made of mud, grass, and wood, making them vulnerable in heavy rains. Thousands are left with the reality that their homes, livestock, and meager possessions were swept away, leaving them with nothing—no shelter, no food, no necessities.
One of the greatest needs is prayer. Across Pakistan, people are reeling from the loss of homes, livelihoods, possessions, and loved ones. Pray that Pakistanis would turn to God who is “a strength to the needy in his distress, a refuge from the storm” (Isaiah 25:4).
We are working with trusted contacts to provide food, clean water, hygiene items, and medical aid to people affected by the flooding. CAM’s desire is to point suffering people to Jesus through words and actions. As the crisis further develops, we will continue to research needs in the region and see how we can assist.
At this time, our budget needs are $200,000 for the Afghanistan earthquake project and $100,000 for the Pakistan flooding project. If you would like to help the suffering people of Afghanistan and Pakistan, please see the response coupon below. God bless you!
“The communities that are impacted by the earthquake are some of the poorest and hardest to reach places. Some of the communities have still not been reached, while the death toll continues to rise. The victims are forced to bury their loved ones in mass graves, while all their belongings have been destroyed.”
