"World Relief is helping thousands of people who are facing...a humanitarian catastrophe "

World Relief is helping thousands of people who are facing what some are calling a humanitarian catastrophe in the war-torn Democratic Republic of Congo. For years now, civil war has devastated the Congo. Recently, the situation has deteriorated in the eastern part of the country, with thousands forced to evacuate. People are facing starvation, loss of homes and villages, and brutal treatment. Paul Robman with World Relief says the agency is partnering with churches in and around Goma to provide essentials for thousands of families.

He notes many are finding shelter in the forests. "The benefit there is there's some natural protection -- it's easier to hide in the forest," he explains. "As well, there's access to some food and drinking water, which otherwise is not accessible." Robman encourages Christians in the U.S. to pray for those displaced by the violence, become more educated about the situation, and help agencies and ministries that are providing assistance to those affected by the violence. It is estimated that more than five million people have died from malnutrition and disease brought on by the conflict.

HANOI, Vietnam - A tropical storm heading to Vietnam lost force before striking the country's central coast on Monday, bringing heavy rains but no deaths or injuries, officials said. As the storm was approaching, officials called home thousands of fishing boats and began evacuating thousands of people from high-risk areas. But Tropical Storm Noul quickly lost strength when it made landfall between the south-central provinces of Khanh Hoa and Ninh Thuan, said disaster official Tran Xuan Hoa of Ninh Thuan. It had been packing winds of 46 miles per hour as it churned toward the country's southern coast. Nearly 10,000 people who had been evacuated from coastal villages will be able to go home, Hoa said.

"The danger is over," he said. Weather forecasters initially predicted that the storm would hit Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam's largest city, and then cut across the vast Mekong River Delta. That region is especially vulnerable to storm damage, with its dense population and makeshift houses. But later in the day, the storm changed course, forecasters said. Officials warned that heavy rains could worsen flooding in Ho Chi Minh City, parts of which have been inundated by surging tides over the last week.

Lord, we thank you for changing direction of this storm. We realize you are the Creator of everything and the wind and waves obey you. Thank you for sparing the people of Vietnam the devastation that this storm could have caused. Let them see that it was not a coincidence but rather the hand of the Almighty God, who wants to bring deliverance and salvation to them.

From: The WNOP
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