A vigorous southwest monsoon left a trail of destruction across India’s southern state of Kerala, starting on 8 August, killing over 400 people and leaving over 220,000 people homeless.
The floods were the worst in 100 years. The high death toll is set to rise with reports of dengue fever, influenza, amoebic dysentery, malaria and other waterborne infections reaching unprecedented levels.
The British Pakistani Christian Association partnered with a local church to help 68 families by providing shelter and food to many Christians.
Barnabas Fund also worked through local churches in Kerala. Christian fishermen were amongst those who used their small boats to rescue stranded people from the rising waters. Just like the fishermen of Jesus’ day, their job is lowly and despised. Worse still, they are considered ‘untouchable’ by high-caste Hindus, some of whom refused to let Christians rescue them. But others responded with deep gratitude.
Stories emerged that some Hindus say the floods are a divine punishment because Christians and Muslims have been eating cows, an animal considered sacred in Hinduism. Some have even called for Christian flood victims not to be given aid because they believe the flood is a curse sent by the gods.
Church partners in Kerala are providing cleaning materials to help Christians make their homes safe and habitable again. Meanwhile they continue to give food, medicines and other aid to those still in the camps. Other urgent needs are clothing, bedding and cooking utensils to replace what has been ruined or washed away. Rehabilitation costs are still called for by both groups.
