THE KUKMIN DAILY

The Korean churches are carrying out various kinds of relief efforts in response to the violent earthquake - the worst in the country’s history - that rattled Nepal on the morning of April 25 (local time). Christian NGOs dispatched humanitarian support within the first 24 hours, while churches and associations tried to grasp the actual damages caused to their short- and long-term missionaries and volunteers. Prayers and fundraising efforts were begun for the victims, for missionaries residing in Nepal, and for the search-and-rescue team members.

According to sources at Korea World Missions Association (KWMA) and local missionaries in Nepal, most of the approximately 200 Korean missionaries are known to be comparatively safe. Their church members, houses, and church buildings, however, have been seriously afflicted, and additional damage is likely.

The earthquake hit during weekly worship services at many of these churches, causing church members to run out of the shaking buildings and to spend the rest of the day in fear of possible aftershocks.

The Korea Evangelical Holiness Church (KEHC), which has built 230 churches in Nepal, is trying to find out the exact extent of the damage. A missionary who spoke to Kukmin Daily by phone said that some missionaries had left their fragile houses and set up tents in open spaces. (photo, courtesy of Missionary J) A missionary of the Korea Baptist Convention (KBC) said that the missionaries are collecting emergency food because the roads have collapsed, and electricity and water supplies are cut off.

The Korea Church Relief Team (Director: Rev. Cho Hyeon-sam) dispatched an emergency relief team to Nepal on the afternoon of April 26 (Korean local time). Team General Secretary Rev. Lee Seok-jin explained, “We are starting our relief operations with the distribution of water, food, and tents.” He added, “But since the circumstances are still changing, we will have to figure out our detailed service range and direction once the team arrives in Nepal.

World Vision Korea has decided on its first relief fund: a 1.5 million-dollar relief package for 10,000 households and shelters for children in three regions.

Mission organizations for migrant workers, including Global Sarang (Love) Sharing (Rev. Kim Hae-seong) and Naseom Community (Rev. Yu Hae-geun), held emergency meetings to form intercessory prayer groups and to dispatch emergency medical and relief teams.

Reporters Sangmok Shin, Pyeong Seon Jeon, Jaechan Park, & A-young Kim (jeep@kmib.co.kr), with Yeara Ahn-Park (yap@kmib.co.kr)


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