SRI LANKA EVANGELICALS LAUNCH EMERGENCY RELIEF AS CYCLONE DITWAH KILLS 330 AND DISPLACES THOUSANDS

Christian leaders in Sri Lanka have launched an emergency relief effort as the death toll from Cyclone Ditwah and widespread flooding rose to more than 330, with hundreds still missing and tens of thousands forced from their homes.

The National Christian Evangelical Alliance of Sri Lanka announced an "Emergency Flood Relief Appeal" this week, saying pastors, Christian workers and churches are among those hit hard by one of the country's worst weather disasters in years.

The storm triggered deadly mudslides, washed away homes and cut off entire communities across the island nation. More than 20,000 homes have been destroyed and at least 108,000 people have sought shelter in state run camps, according to the Disaster Management Centre.

Officials reported that about a third of the country is without electricity or running water after a state of emergency was declared. Evacuation orders remain in place in several districts as water levels continue to rise along the Kelani River.

The evangelical alliance said churches across affected regions were reporting significant damage, including displaced congregations and church buildings impacted by floodwaters and gale force winds. In a statement, the alliance said Cyclone Ditwah "devastated communities across Sri Lanka, displacing families and severely impacting pastors, Christian workers, and churches."

The group is distributing emergency assistance to 500 affected pastors and Christian workers, providing 30,000 Sri Lankan rupees, approximately $100, in relief packs containing food, dry rations and hygiene supplies.

"Each USD 100 Emergency Pack provides essential, life sustaining support for a pastor and their household, enabling them to stabilise their own situation and continue serving their congregations and communities," the alliance stated.

Some of the worst hit areas include Kandy and Badulla, where dozens of villages remain cut off due to landslides. Survivors described growing desperation as access to food and clean water dwindled.

Cyclone Ditwah brushed Sri Lanka's eastern coast before moving offshore, but it left behind severe flooding during the height of the monsoon season. Officials noted that although the island regularly experiences heavy rains, disasters on this scale are rare. The worst flooding this century occurred in 2003, when 254 people were killed.

The government has appealed for international aid and urged Sri Lankans abroad to support relief efforts as rescue operations continue and more rain is forecast.

THE CRUSADER'S OPINION

Three hundred and thirty dead.

Twenty thousand homes destroyed.

A third of the country without power or water.

And Sri Lankan evangelicals are mobilizing relief for 500 pastors so they can continue serving devastated communities.

This is what the Church looks like when disaster strikes.

Not waiting for government aid.

Not paralyzed by bureaucracy.

Immediately providing food, water, and supplies to those who serve on the frontlines.

The evangelical alliance understands that stabilizing pastors stabilizes communities.

When church leaders can feed their own families, they can shepherd displaced congregations.

When pastors have shelter, they can shelter others.

One hundred dollars does not rebuild a destroyed home.

But it keeps a pastor alive to serve others who lost everything.

That is strategic compassion.

Sri Lanka faces its worst flooding in two decades.

More rain is forecast.

Death toll will rise.

The evangelical church will be there feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, and preaching hope to the desperate.

That is the Gospel demonstrated with both word and deed.

TAKE ACTION

1. Donate to Sri Lankan evangelical relief efforts through the National Christian Evangelical Alliance of Sri Lanka's Emergency Flood Relief Appeal. Each $100 provides essential supplies for a pastor and household serving cyclone affected communities.
2. Support international disaster relief through Samaritan's Purse at samaritanspurse.org or +1 (800) 528-1980. Fund emergency response teams providing food, clean water, shelter, and medical care to Sri Lankan families displaced by Cyclone Ditwah.
3. Pray for Sri Lankan Christians serving devastated communities amid ongoing flooding and forecasted rain. Pray for safety of rescue workers, provision for 108,000 people in evacuation camps, and comfort for families who lost loved ones.
4. Support long term rebuilding by donating to organizations like World Vision at worldvision.org or +1 (888) 511-6548. Fund reconstruction of destroyed homes, churches, and infrastructure in Kandy, Badulla, and other worst hit regions.
5. Raise awareness about Sri Lankan disaster by sharing news with your church and community. Organize special offerings, fundraisers, or awareness campaigns mobilizing support for evangelical relief efforts serving hundreds of thousands affected by cyclone.
6. Contact your government via parliament.uk/get-involved or congress.gov urging international aid for Sri Lankan disaster response. Press for emergency humanitarian assistance as death toll rises and more communities face flooding from continued rainfall.