Aiding the Church in Sri Lanka to Save Lives
09/10/2021Sri Lanka has surged to the country top the world for the highest death rate per capita due to the COVID-19 pandemic, with the Delta variant exacerbating the already tenuous situation. The shortage of hospital beds has left patients to lie in crowded beds. Imports have halted and families fight against starvation. But even during crisis, the local church carries a love to the community that says they are not alone. People’s Church, a PEACE Plan implementer and mentor for over a decade led by Pastor Dishan Wickramaratne, has been working to keep their community afloat by providing over 100,000 meals in the past months.
Now, Saddleback Relief is coming alongside People’s Church to continue battling food shortage and addressing the medical needs of the community in four ways:
- Continuing the cooked meals drive with a goal of providing 61,000 meals across 25 locations. People’s Church also serves cooked lunches to COVID-19 patients and hospital staff across six hospitals and two quarantine centers where hospital staff stay onsite in the hospital.
- Dry Rations - With the devaluation of the rupee (Sri Lanka’s currency) imports have stopped, creating an obstacle to accessing basic ration items such as rice, lentils, and sugar. People’s Church aims to provide ration packs to help 5,000 families for 1 month.
- COVID-aided medical packs: With a shortage of hospital beds, those who are not critical but need basic medical attention at home will receive a pack to provide care at home, including an oximeter, basic medicine, and vitamins to boost a faster recovery. People’s Church aims to provide 500 packs.
- Oxygen Concentrators: People’s Church is setting up a COVID Hotline for medical assistance. For concerns regarding breathing when ambulances are delayed or the hospital is full, a trained team with an oxygen concentrator will arrive to care until help arrives – which could be hours or a few days. They will begin with 15 concentrators.
Thanks to your generosity, People’s Church is positioned to provide in powerful way – showing the tangible love of Jesus and saving lives!
Lord, you are Jehovah Jireh, the God who provides. Would you partner with the churches of Sri Lanka during these times of crisis. Equip and protect those who have said yes to serving the hurting with you. Provide protection and safety to the members of People’s Church. Amen