Nepal flood disaster: our Lutheran action

As the death toll from devastating flooding and landslides in Nepal continues to rise, Lutheran World Federation (LWF) teams supported through Australian Lutheran World Service (ALWS) have begun delivering emergency assistance to affected communities.

On Friday 28 August, 300 tarps, 19 family tents and 184 sets of kitchen utensils were distributed to families who lost everything. An LWF Rapid Assessment Team over the weekend has formulated a plan to help 4,000 families – 20,000 people.

On behalf of the LCANZ, ALWS has committed $250,000 to the response.

Our help will target families in the worst-hit Rasuwa and Nuwakat regions, with a special focus on those most in danger of being forgotten – Dalit communities, older people, people with disability, children, and pregnant and lactating mothers.

The planned response includes emergency shelter, food, safe water and sanitation support, as well as longer-term recovery and resilience-building measures. The 11-month program will support affected communities from emergency relief through to recovery and rebuilding.

ALWS will also continue support of existing long-term development work in Nepal, addressing poverty and injustice, as part of the overall disaster response.

As a church, we pray for all those affected by this disaster, for those still unaccounted for, and for emergency workers and aid agencies responding to the crisis – particularly the Lutheran World Federation team.

How you can help

Donations to the ALWS Nepal Flood Appeal will support the $250,000 ALWS response.

Donate online at www.alws.org.au/respond or call 1300 763 407 to donate by phone.