UPDATE FROM PAKISTAN RE: COVID-19
Since the start of the COVID crisis, WCF has provided a one month's supply of COVID Relief Food & Hygiene Supplies to more than 10,000 people in Pakistan in partnership with our field ministries.
A number of families expressed their thanks for the help they've received. Here is one family in particular:
A testimony from Rafiq M: I worked as a cleaner in an office. In the first wave of Corona, my office kept giving me half a salary. But then they fired me for not working consistently. My wife also worked as a cleaner in people's homes. But now she can't find work anywhere. We live in extreme poverty with our children in a small room with no electricity. We are grateful for all the support provided by the WCF. Please remember us in your prayers.
The situation in South Asia has grown worse with new COVID variants. Here's an update from one of our field partners in Pakistan after our last distribution:
Proverbs 22:9 - The generous will themselves be blessed, for they share their food with the poor.
We are very grateful for all your love. This time it was very timely for the people. You can imagine what it would be like in a third world country where people barely make ends meet if there are no jobs or business for a year. Believe me, people eat one time and look to the sky for another time to find some help. Inflation in Pakistan has risen alarmingly. Here are the statistics from a popular newspaper, "In line with the recent price trends that suggest a significant pickup in inflationary pressures, the headline inflation in April is estimated to clock in at around 11%, up from 8.53% a year ago and from 9.1% the previous month. It is for the first time during the ongoing fiscal year that analysts are estimating Consumer Price Index (CPI) to cross into double digits.“ (DAWN, updated 28 April 2021)
Corona cases are increasing day by day. This is the first time such a severe lockdown has taken place. The army has been called in to enforce the lockdown. There is no space for ventilators in the hospital and the recovery rate from ventilators in Pakistan is only one percent. The death rate is increasing day by day. Except for the Covid-19, there is the fear that people have no resources to feed their children. Medicines and house rents are an additional burden. Things have gotten worse here. At least 200 families are waiting for help. People need medicine, and some need financial help to pay their rent and utility bills.
In these circumstances, if people get some financial help, there can be no greater happiness or relief. That is why we are deeply grateful to you.
We pray that God will use you abundantly.
with Love and prayers,
AJ Ministries
