Sri Lanka crisis response update

The situation in this South Asian nation remains dire. Food prices are 84% higher than a year ago and fuel, though available, is very expensive.

Oct 20, 2022

The situation in this South Asian nation remains dire. Even though protests and riots have subsided, the country is still facing its worst economic crisis in 70 years. Food prices are 84% higher than a year ago and fuel, though available, is very expensive.

To date, our partners in Sri Lanka have distributed an estimated 750 emergency food packs to families in the slums of Colombo, and rural villages in the Batticaloa and Anuradhapura districts. The packs contain dry rations like rice, lentils, and spices, as well as vegetable seedlings that the families can grow and eat from.

When visiting rural villages in September, our partner, Prisha*, found that there were very few men around. Because of the 30-year civil war, there is a lost generation in Sri Lanka, especially among men. Many of the women had lost their husbands in the conflict.

But Prisha saw something encouraging when she was there. “Yet there were some who came to faith and then responded to God’s call to go to these rural places with the good news of God’s love.”

As our partners continue their good work in telling and demonstrating the love of God to Sri Lankans, they hope that more can join them. “We only have one [full-time worker] on the ground. We are relying on local volunteers, but they are not always available.”

*name changed for security reasons

Please pray:

  • That God will raise more full-time workers and volunteers alike to the field in Sri Lanka
  • For a restoration of lives and relationships after years of conflict, the pandemic, and the economic crisis

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