Covenant News

European Flood Victims Will Need Assistance in Cleanup Effort

HALLE, GERMANY (August 16, 2002) - Although the flood level in Prague in the Czech Republic is beginning to drop, the flood danger in eastern Germany is increasing, threatening churches that are part of the Free Evangelical Church of Germany (Bund Freier evangelischer Gemeinden), a ministry partner with the Evangelical Covenant Church (ECC).

"The rivers that are flooding run parallel to our town, to the east of us," said Jan and Richard Epps-Dawson, regional coordinators for Europe for the ECC's Department of World Mission. "Our own river - the Saale - hasn't been affected, but a half-hour drive puts you at some of the more devastated areas," Epps-Dawsons wrote in an email message today.

"There will be more as the week wears on as both the Elbe and Moldau rivers head downstream," the Epps-Dawsons continued, "north to the Baltic Sea via Magdeburg and then Hamburg. North of us they are beginning to evacuate our state capital (Magdeburg) and evacuations are happening tonight in Bitterfeld - they evacuated over 2,000 people from the hospitals there."

Covenant News Service reported yesterday that no Covenant missionaries or property are threatened by the flooding as most are above the flood levels, including Fred and Kelly Prudek and their children in Prague.

Two dams were breached today, according to the Epps-Dawsons, with Dresden and Grimma seriously threatened. Areas of Slovakia and Austria also are endangered.

"At this point, blood is being donated to replace what was lost in the evacuated hospitals," they continued. " Sand is being bagged to set up barriers in the areas where the rivers continue to rise or are expected to rise as the water moves downstream. All manner of firemen, police and military types have moved into the evacuated areas to help. The rest of us are hoping to help financially and by collecting items that will be needed to replace lost, damaged and bacteria-infected things."

The cleanup effort will prove to be a monumental challenge, the Epps-Dawsons noted. "Since this kind of flooding has never taken place in Prague (nothing this high has hit it in its 800-year history) . . . many people will not have insurance to cover damages. The church communities could play an important role in the cleanup efforts with additional resources.

"Do pray for the hundreds of thousands of people affected by this catastrophe - those who are cleaning up and those who are in the midst of the crisis - and for those preparing for the days ahead as the water makes its way to their towns, villages and cities," the Epps-Dawsons asked. "There are a lot of weary, heartbroken and disheartened people this side of the Atlantic."

As with other disasters affecting areas where Covenant ministries operate, individuals interested in providing assistance may do so by sending contributions earmarked for "European flood relief" to Covenant World Relief, Evangelical Covenant Church, 5101 N. Francisco Avenue, Chicago, IL, 60625.

Updates on the situation and its impact on Covenant ministries in affected areas will be posted on this news site as they become available.

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