Medical camps in Orissa

Medical work amongst the displaced people of Orissa

As has been widely reported, Christians in the Indian state of Orissa have been suffering severe persecution from Hindu fundamentalists, who have killed many Christians and forced many others to flee their homes and live in hiding in the forests. One such person was Sri Chandra, who fled for his life when a Hindu mob destroyed his village. We met him when he was in exile in Kerala. However, he remains concerned for his fellow Christians in Orissa.

It is almost impossible to send out funds to Christians in Orissa by normal means – bank transfers are simply returned by the authorities – so Sri Chandra goes out to Orissa regularly, at the risk of his life, with a group of friends, carrying all the aid that they can. Orissa is outside our usual area of work, but we help him as much as we can with funds for medical work amongst the refugees. These provide much-needed medicines for these very needy and destitute people, whose only offence has been to have a different religion from the majority.

Christian home in Orissa destroyed in the violence

Christian victims of persecution in Orissa praying for help