Pakistan: ACN provides emergency relief for victims of Jaranwala riots

The aid package will help 464 families and includes immediate relief items, home renovations, and vehicles for those who lost their livelihoods in the attacks.

Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) will provide emergency support to the victims of anti-Christian riots in Jaranwala, Pakistan.

According to the local Diocese of Faisalabad, the riots began on August 16th with a false accusation of blasphemy. There were rumors that a man and his son disrespected the Quran by putting their own photographs on it, and mobs responded by attacking Christians, their homes, and their places of worship. Local authorities did nothing to stem the violence, and the mobs blocked the roads into Jaranwala to prevent the victims from receiving any outside assistance.

Miraculously, no Christians were killed in the attacks, but hundreds of families fled and were forced to stay with relatives or even out in the fields. They lost their livelihoods and all their possessions.

The diocese has identified 464 families in particularly desperate need and has planned to provide them first with immediate relief, and then with the goods necessary to rebuild their lives. “These people are in grave danger, and they struggle to survive immense hardship,” Bishop Indrias Rehmat, the bishop of Faisalabad told ACN.

The items required for the families include necessities like clothing, kitchen appliances, bedding, mattresses, school supplies, and even rickshaws and motorcycles for drivers and delivery boys whose vehicles were destroyed in the attacks.

“Bishop Indrias Rehmat requested financial assistance from ACN , and the charity is pleased to announce that it will fund a relief project to help the Christian community, and in particular these 464 families, to help them get back on their feet,” said Marco Mencaglia, ACN’s director of projects. “If needed, we are ready to consider support for the renovation of fully burned houses and church buildings.” “We look forward to collaborating with ACN to alleviate the suffering of these unfortunate victims, and we extend our heartfelt gratitude to you and your benefactors,” Bishop Indrias Rehmat said.

—Filipe d’Avillez