Anglican Mainstream

Following the reports of violence against Christians in Orissa state in India ( see latest www.lapidomedia.com/news/christian-persecution-india_01-09-2008.php), Anglican Mainstream has been asked to support the work of Christian mission groups in Orissa state assisting the thousands of Christians who have been made homeless.

The police have been protecting people’s lives. But the Christians have been driven out of their homes to take refuge in the forest areas.  Militant gangs have been burning and looting their houses so that the people do not even have the utensils needed to cook their food. The Hindu fundamentalists want to drive Christians from the state and the Maoists want to recruit the Christians made homeless to their cause. So the Christians are caught between the two.

On 18th September a major meeting has been called of Christian leaders in Orissa state to address the situation. Nearly 5000 families have fled to the jungles and cannot return till relief centres are set up where Christian presence is significant.

As of September 1st, over 50,000 people have been displaced; 300 villages attacked; over 4000 homes totally destroyed; 10000 people who fled into the forest are still hiding there waiting to get into relief camps; 13000 are now in relief camps; 20 bodies have been recovered and more bodies are found each day.

Many will have to live in relief camps for at least 6 months. They have lost their homes and livelihoods. They need immediate food, shelter and medicines.

Since then several new towns and districts have been targeted. The toll is rapidly increasing.

World Vision which has significant work in the area and has done a tremendous job over the decades has been the target of Hindu fundamentalists who have even accused the murder of the Swamiji. whose murder was admitted by Maoists has sparked the current violence. Some of its workers have had to flee from danger.

The Church and church related bodies must organise relief and rehabilitation of the victims.

There has also been utter devastation from floods in the neighbouring state of Bihar. A major river broke its banks and one third of the state has been flooded out. Three million people have been stranded for almost two weeks and more than a million are still waiting to be rescued. Food riots are reported in the relief camps. This is also the area where Christian mission has been very significant in the past 20 years. Support is also needed and will be sent there through Christian agencies.

In both areas, relief will concentrate on basic shelter, food, clothing, and cooking utensils so that people can get back to work.

In the relief for the Indian Tsunami, funds raised through Anglican Mainstream were channeled to a Christian organization working directly on the ground with affected people. All the relief raised (over £40,000) reached the people who needed it.  The same organization (Divya Shanti Christian Organisation) in Bangalore South India is working closely with mission groups across the denominations in Orissa and Bihar to channel this help.  Anglican Mainstream which is a charity will pass on all the funds received and make no administrative deductions. No amount is too small to make a difference.

Funds may be sent to Anglican Mainstream,  21 High Street, Eynsham, OX29 4HE, England or donated through Paypal on the Anglican Mainstream site (under Fast Navigation – click Donations and Appeals) on the button labelled Orissa and Bihar relief (click here www.anglican-mainstream.net/donations-and-appeals/)

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