Salvation Army in India helps forgotten victims of South Asia earthquake

The devastating earthquake which struck southern Asia last October is widely thought of as happening in Pakistan, yet thousands of people were severely affected on the Indian side of the border with Pakistan. The Salvation Army’s India Northern Territory has been busy assisting families in the Kashmir region whose lives have been turned upside-down by the earthquake.

Salvation Army relief workers from India responded immediately to the disaster with deliveries of food, clothing and building materials which could provide shelter from the harsh weather so common to the region. Due to the sensitive nature of this border area, The Salvation Army has been coordinating its relief distributions with the Indian military to ensure timely delivery of much-needed supplies. Assistance was given to more than 800 families. Lieut-Colonel N. J. Vijayalakshmi – India National Emergency Services Consultant – reports that, although a lot of aid has been delivered, much more is still needed.

The earthquake caused many families to leave their villages to seek shelter in temporary camps. Lieut-Colonel Vijayalakshmi and her team have recently discovered one such camp, on the banks of a contaminated lake, which was housing 550 families. Responding to the desperate situation of the people, The Salvation Army is making an emergency delivery of 2,500 blankets and stocks of much-needed food rations.

With spring still a long way off, The Salvation Army will continue to do all it can to help the families who have been displaced by the earthquake. Donations are being sought to help continue the ministry of compassion and hope among the forgotten Indian people still suffering from the effects of October’s earthquake.