Pray for Nepal and Tibet

After the catastrophic avalanche and flooding, we pray for all the people impacted.

On Wednesday 26 August, devastating flash floods struck Nepal (Rasuwa and Nuwakot Districts) and Tibet (China Gyirong County). More than 1,200 people have been killed in the tragedy, and thousands of others are missing, including foreign nationals and pilgrims.

The flooding, which is understood to have been caused by a glacial collapse and ice avalanche, has left whole villages and infrastructure obliterated.

Salvation Army personnel and local partners have been coordinating closely with district authorities, humanitarian coordination mechanisms and ongoing search-and-rescue-and-response efforts led by the government of Nepal.

Access is extremely difficult. Roads and other transport routes have been washed away, leaving areas including Timure, Uttargaya, Dhunche and Betrawati largely cut off. Despite these challenges, one Salvation Army contact was able to reach Dhunche and Syafrubesi by chartered helicopter, gathering information on local needs and distributing a limited quantity of essential supplies, including rice, salt, light blankets and clothing.

Through partners and contacts, further supplies including clothing, blankets, mattresses, noodles, soap and rice have also reached affected communities.

The Salvation Army in Nepal is preparing for a wider distribution of relief supplies once rapid response funding becomes available from Nepal Rastra Bank, the country’s central bank. At the same time, The Salvation Army is coordinating with Nepal’s Social Welfare Council to secure the necessary approval for the emergency response.

The Salvation Army has an enduring relationship with Nepal. In the aftermath of the 2015 Nepal earthquake and aftershocks that killed nearly 9,000 people, The Salvation Army sent international relief teams to the country. The international team members stayed for more than six months working alongside local colleagues before transitioning the work to a long-term development team.

As the international Salvation Army carries out this practical work, it can be hard to know how to respond to such tragedy and hold on to the hope we have in Jesus. We can, however, trust in God’s enduring presence, and lift up in prayer all those impacted.

General Lyndon Buckingham has expressed deep sorrow for the victims and called people worldwide to prayer for the survivors and search-and-response teams.

‘With deep sorrow, The Salvation Army around the world stands in solidarity with the people of Nepal and Tibet (China),’ he said. ‘We are praying for the families of those who have died and for the many thousands who have lost their homes and livelihoods.

‘We feel their grief, their fear and their vulnerability, and we call on the citizens of the world to reach out with your own prayers on behalf of our Nepalese and Tibetan brothers and sisters. We also sense the shock of families of international visitors to the region who have lost their lives or who are missing. We need to be praying for all affected persons and for the response personnel and their efforts to help survivors sustain life amid such tragic circumstances and destruction.’

Psalm 34:18 says: ‘The Lord is near to the brokenhearted’ (English Standard Version). Lord, strengthen the rescue teams and all who are serving. May your presence be with every family and community affected. Bring healing, hope and peace.

Reflect and respond

• Pray for everyone who has lost a loved one, a home, or their livelihood.
• Pray that God will comfort those who are grieving, protect those in danger, and provide for those in need. 
• Pray for the international visitors to the region who have lost their lives or are missing. 
• Read the full prayer issued by IHQ on Facebook.