Crisis Response

Burma Cyclone Nargis Relief - May 2008

Cyclone Nargis swept across the Irawaddy delta on 2nd May 2008 destroying buildings and flooding a huge area of land. So far 84,500 have been killed and 54,000 are still missing. It is estimated that the cyclone has affected 2.4 million people of which 110,000 have been displaced. ROPE has sent fourteen thousand pounds of crisis funding which initially was used to provide emergency food and water. Water purification kits were supplied to 20 locations and 4 boats were used by medical teams to take doctors and nurses to give treatment in the villages and to ferry sick people needing hospital treatment to the main land.

People are being encouraged to return to their villages and some people are being given help with supplies for rebuilding their homes and tools for their farms. It is important that rice is sown ready for the next harvest.

Many children have been orphaned and 2 homes have been set up and already have 190 children.

Over 50 church buildings were completely destroyed in the delta region and help is being given to pastors to encourage the Christians in these areas. These people have lost all their material possessions and livelihood, and some have also lost family members. As well as all the practical issues of survival, coming to terms with their losses will be psychologically and emotionally difficult.

There is still a need for basic supplies of food and water. But supplies of goods to enable people to start living again are also needed, such as clothing, cooking utensils, mosquito nets, fishing nets and boats. Motorised hand tractors and seed are required to enable farmers to plant for a future harvest.

Bangladesh Cyclone Relief: food packages and shelter provided. - Feb 2008

Towards the end of 2007 one of the worst cyclones in history hit the Southern part of Bangladesh. This was in addition to the severe floods of July 2007, for which ROPE sent three thousand pounds for emergency relief to help 1,000 families in the worst affected areas of Sirjganji, Kurigram, Gazipur and some southern parts of Bangladesh. Food relief for the July 2007 floods included rice, pulses and salt. Oral saline solution and water purification tablets were provided to help with the supply of safe drinking water, and help was provided to control water-borne diseases.

The cyclone caused havoc especially in the districts of Patuakhali, Barguna, Shatkhira as well as the greater Barisal district. Over 10,000 people died or were missing and millions of people lost all their housing and crops. ROPE sent two thousand seven hundred and fifty pounds of crisis funding to help with the effects of the cylcone. This was initially used to provide emergency food packages to over 300 families. Each package contained rice, pulse, oil, salt and ORS. Remaining funds were used to repair houses that could be repaired and provide new houses where necessary.

Our ROPEholder wrote "we send you our sincere thanks and gratitude for helping us with the finances and helping the church to stand by the affected people with the love and compassion of our Lord Jesus Christ. We did not speak a work to the people about the Lord but when they saw Christian team including pastors were helping, they were blessed and asked many questions about the Lord."

Emergency funding to Kenya assists the displaced - Jan 2008

Our ROPE holders in Kimilili and the surrounding areas have been involved in both initiating and participating in local peace meetings. This area has experienced an oasis of peace from before the elections in Kenya until now. The area has received many displaced people because it has been seen as a place of sanctuary. This includes children who have lost both parents and mothers with children whose husbands were killed. Some mothers have sold their bodies so that they can feed their children. ROPE sent five thousand pounds to provide food, medication, and clothing for displaced persons. This money has also been used to pay rent for those not staying with families from the local fellowship as well as desks for the now overcrowded schools. More money is urgently needed to meet these needs, so if you'd like to donate to this the money would be very gratefully received.

Togo Flooding Emergency Relief Update - Jan 2008

In the North of Togo a disastrous flood occurred between July and September 2007. This flood had enormous consequences particularly for rural areas. Some people died and homes and buildings were damaged or destroyed by the flooding. Cattle died, crops were ruined and roads were impassable resulting in exaggerated prices for food. Thus the existing poverty in the area with all its consequences was even more pronounced. ROPE sent emergency relief to our ROPE holders who involved local community leaders particularly during the initial 10 day stage of identifying those most in need and affected by the floods. By the 20th of October 2007 products and stock destined as aid was purchased. This included - Foodstuffs such as maize, rice, bean, soy, vegetable oil and salt - Lanterns, soap, kerosene, and matches.- School items such as books, pens and chalk.In total aid was distributed to 120 families (many of them large). Distribution of aid was completed at the end of November 2007 and was reported to be very gratefully received.

Hurricane 'Dean' relief funds enable hundreds of families to be assisted - December 2007

Hurricane "Dean" passed Jamaica as a category 4 hurricane in August 2007 causing buildings to collapse. The majority of the ten thousand pounds ROPE sent was used for roofing and housing repairs. Three and a half tons of zinc sheeting for roofs was purchased and distributed locally. One young mother whose house was flattened by "Dean" and who was being turned out of the home she was sheltering in was provided with the building material for a one-room house.