ChristianAid is urging churches to support an appeal offeringa lifeline to those impacted by torrential rain, floods and landslides thathave displaced millions of people across India, Bangladesh and Nepal.
Minoritycommunities, such as those belonging to the Dalit caste, are hit the hardestand in many cases have been left unable to access vital food, water andsanitation.
ChristianAid partners are now working to reach those who have lost their homes and livelihoodsand are in urgent need of shelter and protection from water-borne diseases.
Butas well as responding to emergencies, Christian Aids partners are working hardin India and around the world to help people build resilience, grow skills,gain social status and be able to save and plan for the future.
Peopleborn into the Dalit community are marginalised socially and economically, oftenenslaved by their work and facing barriers to health care and education. Thecharitys Harvest Appeal this year focuses on Indias EcoVeg project which has reached almost5,000 farmers giving them an opportunity to grow vegetables without chemicalsand sell them for a fair price.
Overone third of the farmers are from excluded communities, such as the Dalits, and47% are women. These farmers are free from the health impacts and expense ofbuying chemical fertilisers and pesticides and are trained in farming, businessand planning skills.
ChristianAid partner ADSIL (The Agrarian Development Institute for Sustenance andImproved Livelihood) helps the farmers with sorting, processing andtransporting crops, negotiating fair prices without taking any commissionitself.
ChristianAids regional coordinator for Worcestershire Emma Rockey said: In India around6.3 million people have been affected by the floods with many families inmakeshift shelters facing huge challenges to find clean drinking water and food.Dalits are among the worst affected.
Peopleare in desperate need of safe drinking water, food, tarpaulin for shelters,hygiene materials, mosquito nets, and food for livestock.
Floodssuch as these can destroy everything in their path homes, crops, roads andbridges. But the training and opportunities given by partners such as ADSILgive hope and a voice that allows vulnerable people to move to a more resilientplace, to pick themselves back up and provide for their families.
Organicfood is not a novelty for the people taking part in the EcoVeg project its alifeline, and the donations that churches across the Dioceseof Worcester give to our appeals help the worlds most marginalised andvulnerable people find a place of dignity and the possibility of life in allits fullness.
Thankyou in advance for any prayers or donations churches can give to help the workthese appeals are supporting this summer and at harvest time.
Fundsraised in Christian Aids seasonal appeals enable the charity to respond toemergencies such as the current floods in South Asia.
Thisyear churches are encouraged to hold a Harvest Supper for Christian AidsHarvest Appeal- free resources areavailable at https://www.christianaid.org.uk/harvest-appeal.
Prayers,more information and how to donate to the South Asia Floods Appeal can be foundhere www.christianaid.org.uk/emergencies/south-asia-floods-appeal.14 could buy a hygiene kit which includessoap, chlorine tablets, sanitary napkins and disinfectant, 17 could buy the items needed to build a temporaryshelter - such as tarpaulin, ground mat, mosquito net, bedsheet, rope and 700could pay for a toilet and handwashing block.
