NASHVILLE (BP) — A powerful earthquake in a remote area of southwestern Pakistan has destroyed 80 percent of the homes and destroyed roads that would carry relief supplies into the region. Southern Baptist humanitarian workers are requesting prayer for families in the devastated area.
“The earthquake was in a very remote and difficult to access area of Pakistan,” said Francis Horton, who with his wife Angie directs work for Baptist Global Response in Central and South Asia. “The Pakistan army is leading response efforts and has sent several trucks of shelter and food supplies to the area. We are in contact with partners on the ground about potential ways to respond.”
News reports indicate the Sept. 24 quake killed at least 327 people as thousands of mud homes collapsed. The epicenter of the 7.7 magnitude quake was located in the country’s impoverished Baluchistan province, which borders Iran and Afghanistan. Assessing damage in remote mountain villages is difficult and complicated by a separatist insurgency in the region. Pakistan’s National Disaster Management Authority said food, tents and blankets are being sent to the affected areas and satellite images will be used to assess the damage. A second earthquake, magnitude 6.8, struck the region four days later.
“The families in this area live in extreme poverty and do not know of God’s great love for them,” said Jeff Palmer, BGR’s executive director. “Our partners who know this area are deeply concerned about the extreme distress afflicting these people right now. Please pray with us that God will have mercy on these families and make His love for them known.”
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Mark Kelly writes for Baptist Global Response, on the Web at www.gobgr.org. Get Baptist Press headlines and breaking news on Twitter (@BaptistPress), Facebook (Facebook.com/BaptistPress) and in your email (baptistpress.com/SubscribeBP.asp).
