Western Germany is reeling from the most extensive—and deadliest—flooding to sweep through the area in memory. Record amounts of rainfall caused rivers to overflow, resulting in flooded homes, washed out roads and bridges, damaged power lines, and widespread debris. In some areas, entire villages are underwater. Some have called this a once-in-a-millenium event.
Nearly 200 people in Germany and Belgium have died and, sadly, the death toll may continue to rise. Some are still missing as search and rescue teams struggle to make their way into remote communities. It is good news that many among the thousands originally reported missing have been accounted for.
Austria, the Netherlands, Luxembourg, and now southern Germany have also been affected by heavy rains and flooding.
Samaritan’s Purse Germany is responding in Jesus’ Name in the hardest-hit areas of the country, and Samaritan’s Purse Canada has a member of the Canadian Disaster Assistance Response Team (DART) on the ground in this response. Cologne, in the western state of North Rhine-Westphalia, got six inches of rainfall in 24 hours last week; German teams are already there helping to clean up flooded homes. They’re also meeting with hurting families and offering encouragement through prayer.
“With a once in a 1,000-year flood, the damage has been catastrophic for these families and their communities. It is a privilege to support our response in Germany and share God’s love during this difficult time,” says Samaritan’s Purse Canada International Disaster Response Manager, David Bock.
If you are interested in joining our DART roster to be a part of these types of disaster responses, click here to apply.
Please pray for those who are suffering and in critical need. Pray for our teams as they demonstrate God’s love and share the eternal hope of the Gospel.
Samaritan's Purse responds to humanitarian crises with physical aid and a message of spiritual hope for victims of natural disasters, famine, poverty, and war. Your gift will allow us to share Jesus' love through clean water, food, shelter, medical supplies, personnel, and other aid.