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YWAM goes to aid of persecuted in Pakistan


“I saw the bodies lined up in front of me,” recounted YWAM Pakistan representative Amjad after visiting Gojra village on 1 August. “A mob, stirred up by the mosque in Toba Take Singh District, attacked our Christian villages, burning and looting wherever they went. Over 15 were killed immediately, but the mob also stopped the injured from getting to a hospital. Casualties will increase.”

The attack was the result of a false accusation made in a local mosque in Toba Tek Singh, near Faisalabad in north-east Pakistan. The accusation, that a holy book had been desecrated, led to a large mob attacking a village known to be full of Christians. The mob killed 15 people, looted any valuable items and livestock and burnt down 50 houses. One child was burned before the eyes of her parents. Eye-witnesses describe some who resisted the mob being shot dead in front of their relatives. During this time, 450 residents fled, hiding in fields and neighbouring villages. Many survivors had horrific burns — some of which may have been caused by acid.

Recognising the magnitude of the disaster — and the ramifications for the country's international image — the federal government has acted. There have also been nearly 100 arrests of probable perpetrators, including local police officers. The government has offered US$2.5 million as reconstruction aid, and has already begun to rebuild some of the burnt-out houses. However, many of the survivors are too terrified to return and will need relocating somewhere safe.

Those who have suffered at the hands of the mob need help, right now — they have no food, no shelter from the sun and only the clothes in which they fled. Poor villagers in the area have no means of supporting so many destitute families: although they held a collection, it was enough only for one wooden bed-frame.

Relief effort
YWAM Pakistan is in a good position to deliver the needed aid, as Amjad, a longstanding, reliable representative, lives in the next village. Our experience of delivering emergency aid following a huge flood in 2007 and the earthquake in 2005 has demonstrated the immeasurable value of trusted local friends, who can identify the most needy cases and prioritise different types of aid. We also have a wide network of reliable volunteers, many of whom now have the experience of helping in the flood and earthquake relief efforts. With Amjad’s help — and that of the Lord — we can efficiently and compassionately use whatever we are entrusted with.

YWAM Pakistan plans to take a team up to Faisalabad from Karachi imminently. The scattered families need food, clothing and help as they deal with trauma and shock. The team will travel by train (about 20 hours) and carry clothing and medicines with them from Karachi. They intend to visit the sick and the scattered who have taken refuge in nearby villages. These people remain jobless and homeless.

YWAM England is raising funds to send to YWAM Pakistan for the relief effort, particularly for those who are in hiding. In the long-term, YWAM Pakistan wants to develop some land as safe housing for families escaping this oppression.

More information from:
The YWAM Pakistan Development Centre, London.
Tel: 07837 175969
Email: mail@ywampakistan.com
Web: www.ywamrelief.org.uk or www.ywampakistan.com




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