Faithfully Yours - An international response to an international tragedy

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Published on Saturday, May 2, 2015

By Neil Strohscein

As I write these words, we are several days away from knowing the full extent of the loss of life and property damage caused by last weekend’s earthquake in Nepal.

Here’s what we know so far. Roughly 4,000 people are confirmed dead. Many historical buildings in the capital of Katmandu have been destroyed. Residents are without power, water, food, shelter and just about everything else that they need. No one knows how long it will be before all the missing are accounted for, all the mess can be cleaned up and the city can begin to rebuild. It will be years before life in Katmandu returns to normal—if it ever does.

What we don’t know is the extent of damage and loss of life in the rural areas. Landslides have cut off access to many villages, making it impossible for rescue workers to get in and assess the damage. I think it’s safe to assume that the number of lives lost and the dollar value of property destroyed will continue to grow and we may all be shocked to hear the final totals.

Then there is the international element to this tragedy. An avalanche triggered by the earthquake devastated the Base Camp which was filled with climbers preparing to scale Mt. Everest. Family and friends from all parts of the world were waiting to hear that their loved ones were safe. Many have. Others received the terrible news that their loved one was identified as one of the victims.

The pictures coming out of Nepal tell a story that is hard to put into words. Shock and confusion can be seen on the faces of people who have lost everything they had. Funeral pyres light up the night sky as the dead are cremated. Soldiers and aid workers carefully sift through rubble hoping to find survivors. Every picture tells a story—a story of shock, tragedy and loss.

But the news isn’t all bad. The international community has already begun to respond. Shipments of tents, food, water, blankets, clothing and medical supplies began arriving in Nepal less than 24 hours after the quake hit. But much more help is needed and this is where you and I come in.

Within a few days, we will be inundated with requests for financial and material aid for Nepal. Some of the requests will come through our churches. Others will come through international aid organizations like the Red Cross, World Vision, etc. I would encourage each of you to give what you can when you receive an appeal. Every gift, large or small, will help.

Governments also have a role to play. The tragedy in Nepal is an international tragedy and it demands an international response. But this is no time for governments to argue over who has the right political system, whose economic policies are better than others or who worships the right God. There may be a time and place for these debates; but this isn’t it.

This is a time for governments to put their political differences aside. It’s time to declare a global cease fire. It’s time to stop spending money on bombs and guns and start using it to drill water wells, build hospitals, rehabilitate depleted farm land and help rebuild homes, businesses and lives that were shattered in this horrific disaster.

We are members of one world family. We have a responsibility to help neighbors in need. It’s time we took that responsibility seriously. Doing what we can to help the people of Nepal is a good place to start.