Presbyterian Disaster Assistance is processing an immediate response of $100,000 to support regional church partners and their relief organizations. Already CASA (Church’s Auxiliary for Social Action) and the National Council of Churches of Sri Lanka (NCCSL) are hard at work.

In India, CASA reports that 12 teams have been deployed, both assisting and assessing needs of people in the coastal areas. Four strategic operational points are being set up and an emergency feeding program started. Nine of CASA’s member churches are already engaged in relief work. Plans are to reach at least 50,000 families through these operational points.

In Sri Lanka three pastoral teams have been sent to the affected regions. Food distribution has started and church members are hard at work transporting people to safe areas. Emergency officer S.K. Xavier reports that “there are many children’s homes run by the churches, and although we have been told that they have been moved to safe places, we have been unable to make contact with them.” The homes support children who have lost their parents or families in the war. As in India, churches cancelled all end of the year functions and are using funds collected at Christmas for relief work.

In Indonesia assessment visits are underway. Information there has been more difficult to get, as the region hardest hit has also been isolated from the world due to a clampdown by the Indonesian government in an effort to control fighting between government soldiers and separatists rebels. PDA is expecting assessment information and response plans from Church World Service within the next couple of days.

Partners throughout the region are pleading for prayer and assistance. “I can’t describe the disaster that has hit Sri Lanka very unexpectedly and has thrown millions of lives into complete disarray. We have broken our vacation and are working today to assist those who are helpless during these times. Please help us.” Writes Xavier, an emergency officer with the Council of Churches of Sri Lanka.