26 April 2015

The World Council of Churches (WCC) and the Christian Conference of Asia (CCA) are deeply saddened by the news of the tragic earthquake that has rocked central Nepal. Official reports confirm that at least 1800 people are known to have died in Nepal after the devastating 7.9 magnitude quake, making it the quake-prone Himalayan nation’s worst disaster in more than 80 years.

The World Council of Churches and the Christian Conference of Asia issued today the following statement in Geneva and Chiang Mai on the earthquake that struck Nepal and neighbouring regions.

”We offer our heartfelt condolences to the people of Nepal and northern India who lost loved ones in their families and among friends in this powerful earthquake and its aftershocks. Our thoughts and prayers are with all those who are affected by this disaster,” said the Rev. Dr Olav Fykse Tveit, general secretary of the WCC.

The general secretary (elect) of the CCA, Dr Mathews Georges Chunakra said: “We urge churches and specialised agencies in the ecumenical family to extend every possible support for humanitarian aid assistance in Nepal and other affected areas in the neighbouring countries.”

The World Council of Churches and the Christian Conference of Asia call churches around the world to pray for the bereaved families of those who are killed and injured and affected by loss of property due to this devastation.

Read the statement from World Council of Churches and Christian Conference of Asia 26 April 2015

Member churches in Nepal

Christian Conference of Asia

ACT Alliance

Lutheran World Federation World Service