ICC Note:

As the annual monsoon rains continue to cause floods across Nepal, the country’s Christian community is finding ways to serve the needs of those left homeless by the rains. This service to Nepal’s general population comes freely from the Christian community despite the persecution they often face at the hands of the country’s radical Hindu nationalists. Will the service and love shown by these Christians help break down the barriers between Nepal’s Christian and Hindu population? 

07/07/2017 Nepal (Asia News) – Like every year, Nepal has been pummeled by heavy monsoon rains. This year, at least 15 people have died in southern Nepal and thousands more have been displaced due to flooding and landslides.

The ground cannot absorb all the water due to an “embankment built by India near the border (with Nepal), which prevents flooding on its side of the border,” said Krishna Bahadur Katuwal, Chief District Officer in Saptari, the most affected area.

In view of the emergency, Caritas set off immediately to bring relief to victims without distinction of belief. “We are giving support to people in need without discrimination. We are helping people of every faith,” said Caritas Nepal Director Fr. Silas Bogati.

Katuwal noted that “many densely populated areas, including Bhediya and Mayanakaredi, are completely underwater. Small cottages and goods are floating on the water. More than a hundred families have been displaced. Cattle has been swept away and people no longer have food and clothes.”

“We will continue to bring relief to the victims according to our resources and availability,” Fr. Bogati explained. At present, “we are distributing food, clothes and medicines,” said Prakash Khadka, a volunteer.

Given the nature of the land, the water coming from the mountains should flow into the flatlands of southern Nepal, where they would be absorbed in the ground. This is not the case however because of an embankment built by India. So, the water ends up accumulating and submerging houses.

“I have three children and my wife is pregnant,” said Ram Jivan Yadav, one of the survivors. “We have not had a normal meal for the past five days. We survive only through the support of rescue organizations. We are Hindu, but Christians are giving us protection.”

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