The Pontifical Foundation Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) reported that it will send emergency humanitarian aid to the Christian community that has been a victim of religious persecution in Pakistan.
On 16 August, riots broke out in the city of Jaranwala over the alleged blasphemy of two Christians to the Koran. Hundreds of houses and several churches were burned and destroyed.
At that time, Bishop Benny Travas, Archbishop of Karachi, reproached the Pakistani authorities for their lack of willingness to protect the Christian community.
“Once again, we have the same condemnations and visits as always, where they express solidarity and promise that justice will be done, but in reality nothing materializes and everything is forgotten,” said the Archbishop.
Fortunately, no Christians were killed by Muslim attacks, but around 464 families were forced to leave their destroyed homes, some even forced to live in the middle of the countryside. These families, made up of approximately 1,000 people, will receive emergency help from ACN.
The foundation will send essential items such as clothing, appliances, bedding, mattresses, stationery for schoolchildren and even rickshaws (light two-wheeled vehicles that move by human traction) and motorcycles for drivers and delivery people whose vehicles were destroyed in the attacks.
The Diocese of Faisalabad, to which Jaranwala belongs, has devised a plan to first provide “immediate assistance” to the affected families, and then provide them with “the goods and help necessary to rebuild their lives.”
“The lives of these people are in grave danger as they struggle to survive amidst immense difficulties,” the Bishop of Faisalabad, Bishop Indrias Rehmat, told ACN. He added that he hopes to collaborate with the organization “to alleviate the suffering of these unfortunate victims.” Furthermore, he extended “his sincere thanks” to the pontifical foundation and other benefactors of Christians in Pakistan.
For his part, Marco Mencaglia, ACN project director, pointed out that Bishop Rehmat also requested financial help from ACN, and that is why the organization will finance this humanitarian aid project so that the Christian community can recover.
“We are willing to consider future support for the renovation of completely burned houses and church buildings in Jaranwala, if necessary,” Mencaglia concluded.
Religious intolerance has skyrocketed in Pakistan in recent times, where around 90% of the population practices Islam. Christians, who make up just 1.27% (2.6 million people), regularly face challenging situations—like these latest attacks—because of this reality.