As we partake in our daily activities ranging from government functioning, growing foods, church work, social or welfare service, business enterprises etc. many of us will be oblivious to what is happening in the outside world. As is obvious, Nagas have our own problems to deal with and therefore we may argue that we need not be bothered about other people’s problem. However, it is not that Nagas are unwilling or incapable of coming to the aid of others when the need arises. Only recently we saw how some right thinking people from the government and even the Church responded to the devastation caused by the tsunami in Japan. In fact if we may recall a musical event was held as a solidarity benefit concert in aid of the Japan earthquake and tsunami victims. Billed as 'Nagaland Contributes' the concert was organised by Music Task Force (MTF) under the Nagaland department of youth resources and sports. If we are not mistaken we were able to contribute a total amount of Rs. 8, 18,755/- (eight lakhs, eighteen thousand, seven hundred and fifty five) towards the Japan earthquake-Tsunami victims. It is reported that the Church also contributed. So if Nagas could mobilize what ever little for Japan, can we not do the same for another tragic people who are unlike Japan undeveloped and among the poorest in the world? How about aid to Somali?
For those of us who may not be aware, the United Nations has declared a famine in parts of Somalia. The Executive Director of the UN World Food Programme during an emergency UN summit in Rome commented that the refugee routes into Kenya risked becoming “roads of death” pointing out that mothers are having to abandon their children who are too weak to make it or who have died along the way. The gravity of the situation was best explained by Bruno le Maire, France’s Agriculture Minister who said the famine was set to become “the scandal of the century” if action was not taken. The Morung Express had also brought out pictures of children who were acutely malnourished. It may not be earth shaking front page news like a terrorist attack or a might tsunami but nevertheless it is unfortunate that the mainstream media has not given the attention that such a situation demands. The UN has already appealed that in order to save the lives of the people at risk, the vast majority of them women and children; approximately $1.6 billion in aid was needed. Even Arab people are sending missions to assess the immediate needs.
As Christians the Naga people should do something, however small it may be, to help famine-stricken Somalia. The Nagaland Baptist Church Council is the right forum, which can take the initiative. With the help of the hundreds of local churches, small contributions can be collected and put into a common pool. The NBCC could work out the modalities. It is a call not only to our common humanity but also to our moral conscience as Christian believers to pray and give even our smallest for the less fortunate, especially to ease the pain and agony of small innocent children who have done no wrong to deserve such a cruel destiny. God will bless our own children if Nagas can rise up to the occasion and help the suffering in Somali. This is a challenge for us as Christians to do good for others. Is the Church in Nagaland listening?
For those of us who may not be aware, the United Nations has declared a famine in parts of Somalia. The Executive Director of the UN World Food Programme during an emergency UN summit in Rome commented that the refugee routes into Kenya risked becoming “roads of death” pointing out that mothers are having to abandon their children who are too weak to make it or who have died along the way. The gravity of the situation was best explained by Bruno le Maire, France’s Agriculture Minister who said the famine was set to become “the scandal of the century” if action was not taken. The Morung Express had also brought out pictures of children who were acutely malnourished. It may not be earth shaking front page news like a terrorist attack or a might tsunami but nevertheless it is unfortunate that the mainstream media has not given the attention that such a situation demands. The UN has already appealed that in order to save the lives of the people at risk, the vast majority of them women and children; approximately $1.6 billion in aid was needed. Even Arab people are sending missions to assess the immediate needs.
As Christians the Naga people should do something, however small it may be, to help famine-stricken Somalia. The Nagaland Baptist Church Council is the right forum, which can take the initiative. With the help of the hundreds of local churches, small contributions can be collected and put into a common pool. The NBCC could work out the modalities. It is a call not only to our common humanity but also to our moral conscience as Christian believers to pray and give even our smallest for the less fortunate, especially to ease the pain and agony of small innocent children who have done no wrong to deserve such a cruel destiny. God will bless our own children if Nagas can rise up to the occasion and help the suffering in Somali. This is a challenge for us as Christians to do good for others. Is the Church in Nagaland listening?
