Devastating Floods in Nepal Leave Hundreds Dead and Missing
The catastrophic floods that struck Nepal towards the end of August have left a tragic impact, with over 900 fatalities confirmed and upwards of 4,400 individuals still unaccounted for. Among those affected are members of the Christian community, who, although a minority in Nepal, have suffered significant losses.
Many Christians, including church leaders and pastors, are missing, and numerous churches have been destroyed by the floodwaters. Communication has been severely hampered due to the disruption of essential services such as electricity, mobile networks, internet, and roads, making it difficult for local church leaders to gather accurate information.
A partner of International Christian Concern reported, “Local church leaders are facing severe communication challenges. Electricity, mobile networks, internet connectivity, and road access have been disrupted, making it extremely difficult to gather accurate information. It may take several more days to assess the full extent of damage and loss. We as a ministry are keeping a close eye on the situation, looking to assist and bring emergency relief to families affected by the floods.”
Impact on Local Churches and Community
The Nepali Christian Churches UK has identified that churches in the Rasuwa and Nuwakot regions have been especially hard hit. Apart from structural damage to church buildings, large segments of their congregations are still missing.
Christianity, comprising about 1.8% of Nepal’s population, faces challenges beyond natural disasters. Christian leaders have noted that societal and governmental actions in Nepal, similar to those in India, often oppose the faith due to perceived threats to the nation’s Hindu identity. This includes arrests of pastors, attacks on churches, and the enactment of anti-conversion laws akin to those in India. Efforts have also been made to declare Nepal a Hindu nation officially.
Christianity’s Growth Amidst Adversity
Despite these challenges, Christianity in Nepal is experiencing growth. The community has expanded from 375,000 believers, or 1.4% of the population a decade ago, to over half a million as per the 2021 census. This increase is primarily attributed to conversions rather than birthrates.
This article was originally written by www.christiantoday.com
