(August 27, 2010) Catholic and Protestant leaders in Pakistan have joined forces
to deliver in person much needed aid supplies to flood victims. Bishop Andrew Francis
of Multan and Anglican Bishop Alexander John Malik of Lahore led a convoy containing
food items and bottled water on Thursday August 26 to the southern Punjab where five
districts lie submerged under flood waters. Federal Minister for Minorities Shahbaz
Bhatti also joined the convoy with an additional six trucks of relief items. The
Christian leaders began their mercy mission with a prayer at the Cathedral of the
Holy Redeemer, Multan before travelling 190 kilometres’ to a camp for survivors in
Khan Bela. “This is our diocese. We have seen death with our own eyes in visits to
flood hit areas. We came through these deadly waters to bring you food and show you
that we care,” Bishop Francis told flood victims on their arrival. “We are all Pakistanis
and stand together amid this crisis,” Bishop Malik said. The two bishops then went
among the many tents to give out relief packages to survivors. Several survivors
shared harrowing stories of personal loss both people and property. Earlier, Caritas
Pakistan Multan CPM provided treatment for the sick at an aid station and managed
to distribute tents to survivors cut off by three-meter high flood waters. “We are
coordinating our work with the army. Soldiers are helping us access areas where relief
is most needed,” said Izhaque Bulanda CPM disaster management coordinator.