Following severe flooding in the Gulf last week, the situation remains difficult in several parts of the UAE.
The Reverend Innocent Ekpeluchi shares news from Sharjah, where communities in the Al Nud area of the Emirate are confined to their homes by floodwaters days after intense storms. In just 12 hours, rainfall topped volumes usually seen over the course of a full year.
“While some places have gradually returned to normal,” says Fr Innocent, “we in the communities of Al Qasimia, Abu Shagara, Al Mahatta and Al Yamook can but dream of the floodwaters draining—or being pumped—away.”
Vehicles, including his own, are stranded in waterlogged streets, with the chances of their recovery in working order “receding by the hour”. Most businesses in the area are closed and have sustained serious damage.
Tap water is unsafe to drink, and companies have been unable to make deliveries of bottled water. The only supermarket open in the area has run out of provisions; electricity and internet service are unstable.
“As my family and I reflect in this difficult time,” Fr Innocent writes, “keeping faith in God for better days to come, I humbly request your continued prayers and support, remembering our plights.”
Gulf churches are working hard to help, including finding ways to provide fresh water to those in need.
At Christ Church Jebel Ali, parish priest the Reverend Jim Young says messages from those in need are being received with ever great urgency—from communities of all backgrounds. Christ Church—which has managed to drain floodwaters from its compound—is asking parishioners who forward messages to try to establish exactly where and what items are needed.
Fr Jim stresses that the stories being shared, like Fr Innocent’s, illustrate of the challenges being faced. He says:
This is the perfect time to ‘Be the Church’ in our community.