This article was originally published by Mennonite World Review

Despite own trauma, Nepalis help others after quakes

Binay Church Council, a group of Nepali Anabaptist fellowships, is reaching out to communities affected by the April and May earthquakes in Nepal with a goal of assisting 2,000 families.

Nepali village residents come to central distribution centers and carry supplies back to their homes because transportation is difficult after April and May earthquakes. A group of Nepali Anabaptist fellowships is reaching out to communities affected by earthquakes, with a goal of assisting 2,000 families. — Eastern Mennonite Missions
Nepali village residents come to central distribution centers and carry supplies back to their homes because transportation is difficult after April and May earthquakes. A group of Nepali Anabaptist fellowships is reaching out to communities affected by earthquakes, with a goal of assisting 2,000 families. — Eastern Mennonite Missions

“These earthquakes hit in the heart of the area where Binay has been actively engaged in church planting for years,” said a regional representative for Eastern Mennonite Missions, who arrived in Nepal within a week of the April 25 earthquake to deliver initial EMM financial aid.

“Those affected include many, many church members and leaders, yet they are looking out for others in their communities in the midst of their own trauma.”

The EMM representative is not being identified to protect believers with whom he works.

Binay Church Council has been providing food, mosquito nets, tarps, roofing material and other aid to earthquake survivors in Gorkha and Thumi districts.

Although there are many new challenges in the aftermath of the earthquakes, Binay members are resilient in their efforts to assist survivors.

They would like to provide assistance in a mountainous village of 150 families in the remote Dhading district. Although there is a road that goes halfway to the village from the highway, volunteers can’t take supplies directly because many people along the way who also need supplies have been stopping shipments.

Youth from the Binay Church Council visit and distribute food to affected neighborhoods in Kathmandu, Nepal. — Eastern Mennonite Missions
Youth from the Binay Church Council visit and distribute food to affected neighborhoods in Kathmandu, Nepal. — Eastern Mennonite Missions

Binay church volunteers plan to invite people to the highway to receive supplies. Many villagers will walk one full day, stay overnight and then carry supplies home the next day.

“EMM’s partnership with the Binay Church Council is a strategic effort to assist local believers as they reach out to their own communities as the hands and feet of Christ in the weeks, months and years ahead,” the EMM representative said. “As they embody the servant attitude of Christ to their neighbors, we believe that God will use their efforts to establish and grow his kingdom in Nepal.”

EMM has committed an initial $10,000 to assist the Binay Church Council and may provide additional support. EMM is working with long-term partners who know the region well. The relief and reconstruction process will continue for years.

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