In June the cities of Uttarakhand, Uttarkashi, Chamoli, Rudraprayag, and Garhwal in the state of Uttarkhand, India suffered through catastrophic flash floods. The calamity resulted in landslides that left more than 5000 dead persons, over 1750 houses damaged, 147 bridges swept away, and more than 1307 roads completely damaged. Approximately 8,000 people are still stranded in the hills and valleys, waiting to be rescued. Several have lost the breadwinners of their families. As the 19th most populous state in India, the loss is significant. It is the worst disaster in India since the 2004 tsunami.
Council of Relief and Rehabilitation (CORAR), the Methodist Church in India program council, for relief and rehabilitation, community development and social uplift has begun relief operations and needs assistance. Rudraprayag, one of the most severely affected areas has been assigned to CORAR. In addition, the Government of India assigned 68 families from 15 villages to CORAR to provide relief. The initial cost to provide food supply for one year to families who have lost their livelihoods, livestock, and homes is $30, 000. CORAR, a historically active program council in relief and rehabilitation ministries is going through a lean phase. The program Chairman Bishop Masih, council members and my father (Council Secretary), are actively seeking ways to raise resources. They appealed to the council of Bishops in India for INR 5, 00,000 from their respective conference budgets. They have also received support from Indian Methodist institutions such as Nur Manzil Psychiatric Center, Methodist High School, and others.
In an effort to bring light to the disaster and the long road to recovery that still faces Uttarkhand, Rev. Damodar G. Jadhav, Secretary for the CORAR, the Methodist Church in India is visiting the United States from mid-November through mid-January 2014. He is hoping to bring greetings to churches, and other organizations to raise support for this ministry. He is hoping for invitations to preach and inform churches, Sunday school classes, missionary groups and other committees that may want to assist.
For more information on how to schedule a visit from Rev. Jadhav, please contact his daughter, Rev. Esther D. Jadhav, via email: esther.jadhav@asbury.edu
