By Stefan J. Bos, Chief International Correspondent Worthy News
KATHMANDU (Worthy News) - Christians in western Nepal faced homelessness and food shortages Tuesday after a massive earthquake destroyed their homes and churches, killing many, but authorities in the Hindu-majority nation are reluctant to help them, Worthy News established.
Christian aid workers told Worthy News that hundreds of believers were injured or lost their loved ones in the 5.6 earthquake that struck on November 3, in which more than 150 people died.
Barnabas Aid, which supports Christians in the Hindu-majority nation, said, “Thousands of families living in the remote and mountainous Jarjarkot region fled their houses close to midnight. They left with only what they were wearing. Our partner has estimated that over 18,000 homes and at least 20 churches have been reduced to rubble.”
In comments shared with Worthy News, a Barnabas-supported Christian aid worker in the area, identified only as Tanka, added, “All the clothes and food that they had were in their home, which was demolished by the earthquake.”
He confirmed that Pastor Judha lost five family members,” speaking about a colleague. “His daughter and four grandchildren lost their lives in the earthquake.”
Security forces were deployed to help rescue efforts in the rugged districts of Jajarkot and West Rukum, 500 kilometers (310 miles) west of Kathmandu, the capital. Strong tremors were felt in Kathmandu and even in India, Worthy News reported earlier.
Those Christians who survived the disaster were left without shelter and food, according to Christians familiar with the situation. “Some have managed to put up plastic sheets to make temporary huts, but many are exposed to the elements as the temperature drops,” Barnabas Aid explained.
MOTHER AND CHILD
Footage shared with Worthy News showed a mother and her child “fortunate to have a makeshift tent for meager shelter.”
Yet “Many Christians don’t even have that in the earthquake's aftermath. While local authorities and the Nepali government have mobilized resources to help those affected, they will not provide for Church reconstruction or repair,” Barnabas Fund explained.
Authorities could not be reached for comment, but the reported reluctance by officials to support Christians comes amid ongoing concerns about reported persecution
The reluctance to help appeared linked to reported discrimination experienced by devoted Christians. Roughly 1.3 million Christians live among a mainly Hindu population of over 30 million people, according to Christian groups. “Though Nepal is no longer an official Hindu state, most Christian persecution in Nepal comes from radical Hindu groups who want the country to return to Hinduism,” explained the advocacy group Open Doors. “Many of the Christians in Nepal are converts from Hinduism, and these converts experience significant pressure from their families and communities.”
Barnabas Fund said, “Many of our Christian brothers and sisters are now facing a winter in desperate need of humanitarian assistance – food, warm clothes, and proper tents are all needed in the short term. There is already snow on the ground in places.”
Many houses were damaged, while others have collapsed entirely, leaving families without shelter in a cold winter. “We drove eight hours on motorbike to reach them. We were there the very next day. They were excited and happy, like their family were coming home from far away,” said Mahon, who is delivering the aid from Barnabas.
Despite the difficulties, Mahon said that through aid from Christians, “we have seen God’s love – thank you for being there for us.”