In one major urban area of Pakistan, many Christians live in slum communities on the edges of the city. Families moved in from rural villages back when the city was developing; they helped to build up the city as sanitation workers, domestic workers, and skilled laborers. But despite their hard work, their own communities still lack basic infrastructure and essential services decades later. 

 Now the city officials have announced they plan to demolish eight of these slum communities entirely and will be "upgrading" five others by removing thousands of homes from along the drainage channels and near the trash dumps. No plan was announced for where these families would go, and no financial assistance has been offered. In addition to the homes that will be removed, our local partners estimate hundreds of small businesses will be lost, over a hundred churches, and dozens of schools. There are real concerns that this will affect the ability of some daily workers to find paying work opportunities each day, limiting their ability to continue to provide for their families.

With little time for these communities to prepare, our church partners are stepping up to support these communities the best that they can through the whole process of resettling. Resources from ReachGlobal Crisis Response's Partner Fund were used to support some immediate needs such as relocation help and identifying safe and affordable housing. This fund allows us the flexibility to engage in international crises that are too small to make the US news, and too urgent to wait while we try to generate awareness and raise funds. 

 Will you join us and our partners in responding? As you gather in your churches, small groups, and Bible studies, set aside time to pray for these Christian communities who are being scattered and displaced. Also, you can give to the Partner Fund to help us resource responses like this one in the future.