Following August 26th’s devastating floods in Nepal, the Nepalese government has declared several municipalities as disaster-affected areas and is coordinating relief and recovery efforts for the affected people and communities.
According to Reuters, the authorities have reported 903 deaths, while 4,247 people remain missing. In hydropower projects alone, around 933 workers are believed to have been trapped since the flood.
More than 9,435 people have been rescued as security forces continue search- and-rescue and recovery operations across the affected districts. Rescue teams are facing significant challenges due to the difficult terrain. The floods have also washed away roads, bridges, and infrastructure, making it difficult to reach many affected places.
Mud and debris have covered large areas, leaving extensive damage.
Impact on the Church
Raju*, an OD local partner, shared, “As per the information we have from our local networks, 75 believers have died in the floods, while more than 70 are still missing. These figures are a subject to ongoing updates as we receive more information from our partners.
A local pastor, *Mohan, shared with tears, “Seventeen people from our church remain missing and unreachable. This terrible flood has torn families apart. Children have been left without parents, women have become widows, and countless families are suffering unimaginable grief and loss.”
People, including Christians in the affected areas, are in dire need of food, clean drinking water, temporary shelter, clothing, blankets, and hygiene supplies. Many families have lost their homes, livestock, personal belongings, and important documents.
Flooding in Nepal has caused extensive devastation
As of September 1, Open Doors knows of at least 11 churches have been affected by the flooding. Five churches have been physically damaged by the floods, with church buildings, equipment, and other materials swept away or destroyed. Most of the believers from these churches are working in tunnels, factories, hydro projects, and other labor work on the riverside.
The flash floods have affected the entire population in the damaged areas, including homes of believers and churches.
People, in the affected areas, who survived are in dire need of food, clean drinking water, temporary shelter, clothing, blankets, and hygiene supplies. People in these districts have lost their homes, livestock, personal belongings, etc.”
Persecution in Nepal
Most of the persecution of Christians in Nepal comes from Hindu radical groups who want to turn Nepal back into a Hindu state. These radical Hindu groups have close ties with Hindutva groups in neighboring India. Since 2015, a new constitution has been adopted, limiting freedom of religion. An anti-conversion legislation strongly affecting Christian evangelism was also signed into law in 2017.
In the context of Nepal, most Christians are from a Hindu background. If a convert in a radical Hindu family is found to be practicing Christian worship, he or she is likely to face pressure and violence and be expelled from their home. Furthermore, they are not allowed to inherit property.
The country does not have a powerful, dictatorial government, but state agents are becoming stricter, especially at the local level.
Pray for Nepal
Let us continue to pray for the whole Nepal as the country faces the devastating impact of the floods. May God strengthen and comfort those who are grieving, protect those involved in rescue and relief efforts, provide for affected families, and bring healing and hope to communities across the nation.
Prayer points:
- Pray for God’s comfort and peace for families who have lost loved ones, homes, and livelihood.
- Pray for the safety of rescue workers as they continue rescue operations in difficult weather and terrain conditions.
- Pray for those who are injured, displaced, or living in temporary shelters.
- Pray that relief supplies will quickly reach all affected communities, including remote mountain areas.
- Pray for wisdom, strength, and integrity for government leaders, local authorities, and humanitarian organizations responding to the disaster.
- Pray for churches and Christian organizations as they serve affected communities with compassion and practical assistance.
- Pray that affected families will find hope, healing, and strength to rebuild their lives
*all names changed for security reasons
