“I hope to resume my work in the fields after the floodwater drains away, so that I can put food on the table.”
That was the wish of a flood-affected farmer in the southern Indian state of Kerala. In August 2018, a devastating flood struck Kerala causing over 480 deaths and an economic loss of US$2.8 billion. As the flood victims go through a difficult time of recovery from natural disaster, CEDAR reached out and provided relief aid to them through EFICOR*, our long-term partner in India. Until 27 November 2018, 13,060 families have been benefited from our support. They received relief materials included rice, cooking oil, bath soaps, clothes, and bed-sheets, enough for each household’s use for 1.5 months**.
CEDAR received grants from the Disaster Relief Fund to distribute aids to flood-affected families in Kerala through our local partner
The Kerala State of southern India experienced the worst floods in a century in August this year, killing nearly 500 people and affecting more than 5.4 million inhabitants.
The survivors’ needs are huge. Our partner EFICOR* continues to distribute flood relief, such as food, clothing and hygiene items to them. Several weeks ago, we sent an officer to Kerala to inspect the progress of emergency relief.
On 28 April, CEDAR, together with Guanghan Church and Yaan Church in Sichuan, delivered the first lot of rice in the quake affected area of Tianquan County. Pastor Yu of Guanghan Church shared with us the relief updates and preliminary need assessment:
On the way to the hardest hit area, I found houses damaged and ruined though not many totally collapsed. Victims temporarily lived in the shelter tents. In the gorgeous points there were helmeted “gatekeepers” kept watching out; bringing out alerts immediately once landslides were noted.
After two-hour’s journey along a hilly road, we finally got to Gong He Village, Lao Chang Township in Tian Quan County. The roads split from a place named Double River Heads to Lu Shan and Bao Xin, the other to Tian Quan. All the trucks carrying the relief materials moved towards Lu Shan, but none got to the direction of Tian Quan.
There are 970 people (265 households) living in the Village. Although the houses collapse was not very serious, most of them were in dilapidated state. All the villagers now are living in the shelter tents. A dozen of people got injured in the quake, one got seriously injured and two death. An old man carrying his grandson shared that it was relatively fortunate that the quake came at 8 o’clock in the morning. It led to less casualties as villagers had already got up.
As it is in a mountainous area, the victims I encountered are much poorer than those I met in 2008 at Wen Chuan earthquake. But the villagers appeared to be very tough notwithstanding their scarcity in resources. May His mercy and blessings reach to them, Amen!
The team saw many shelter tents along the roadside.
Ruined house in Gong He Village.
We distributed the rice to the victims in Gong He village.
A team comprising three CEDAR staff members has arrived at the quake affected area launching for a post-quake need assessment. Besides any immediate relief actions, medium and long-term relief operation plans will be made out. We will keep on sharing on the operation updates, please watch out and join us in the relief operations with your prayers and donation.
Relief Donation
Cheque payable to ‘CEDAR FUND’
Deposit to HSBC A/C No. 600-385678-001, enclosing with the Pay-in slip
[1] CEDAR is an approved charitable institutions and trusts of a public character under section 88 of the Inland Revenue Ordinance. Please click Inland Revenue Department website to check for details. [2] Donations over $100 are tax deductible in Hong Kong with our receipts. [3] Please DO NOT fax any donation information.
Contact Method
Tel>23819627 Fax>23922777 Email>sharing@cedarfund.org Add>G.P.O. Box 3212Hong Kong
In past ten years, different Christian relief and development organisations around the world started to build up the network among them in order to respond to the increasing disasters and poverty issues more effectively. Under this context Integral Alliance (IA) was formed. In 2011, IA has had a three-year strategic working plan from 2012 to 2015, to provide quicker and proper relief response and post-disaster rehabilitation to any disaster around world through improving the communication system and setting up the relief operating guidelines among alliance’s member agencies.
In May 2012, IA updated the communication systems. Member agencies can now get more updated information and give response to different disasters through the internet platform. In June 2012, member agencies for first time used the new internet platform and communication system to discuss and coordinate the humanitarian relief on Sudan’s conflict.
18 global Christian relief and development organisations join Integral Alliance
Jackson’s Sharing
‘The official launch of the Integral Alliance Disaster Response in May 2012 set a new milestone of a joint international effort among 18 international Christian relief and development agencies of Integral Alliance. The new process coordinates and facilitates members to quickly disseminate the latest information about disasters and proposals of relief operations to other members for speedy and well-coordinated responses, maximizing resources and minimizing on redundancy. With different specialties and geographical focus, the process secures prayer and tangible assistance from members and their network which may not have the information or channels to do so. This partnership and servant heart among member agencies make Integral Alliance something special. It is more than being merely functional. There is a spiritual bond and a sense of fellowship that attests to the reality of Emmanuel—God with us.’
