Sushant Agrawal said that ACT International's advantage in emergencies was that member churches were already present in affected areas and could be called upon quickly. "Immediately after the floods hit, I was able to contact most bishops and church leaders. Even before staff could get there, we released emergency funds to provide food relief."
In addition, volunteers trained by ACT International in rescue techniques saved the lives of 17 people in one area of Andhra Pradesh. "This shows the immediate impact of our work. These people were equipped with ropes and life saving jackets, and trained by Civil Defence people."
ACT International is working in camps for people forced from their homes, cooking and distributing three meals a day, which include rice, lentils and vegetables. "Yesterday, a woman who had gone several days without food received one of the meals we had been distributing. For the last three or four days no-one there had been able to take care of her. So she was very happy to have been part of the feeding programme. She was so very thankful to have had a good meal." It was her first proper meal since October 2.
ACT International members in India providing relief in south India are: Churches' Auxiliary for Social Action (CASA) Lutheran World Service India United Evangelical Lutheran Church in India
Ministries
"Second battle" of sanitation, income and shelter in S.India
Saturday, 10 October 2009, 18:29 (IST)
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