The population living in the hill areas of Manipur and Assam States suffer from recurrent famine. The political situation in the region is very unstable, and the government does not provide food. Members of the northeast India synod of the Reformed Presbyterian Church raised funds more than a year ago to help people who were suffering from malaria, typhoid and dysentery due to the poor diet of wild roots and herbs to which they were reduced. But as time passed the church members also found themselves in great difficulty. The Reformed churches partnership fund approved a grant for emergency famine relief. In August 1999 rice was distributed to 1,200 people in 261 families. Each person received about 10 kg of rice. The bags of rice were distributed in various villages in Churachandpur district, Manipur. The relief enabled the people to help themselves to gain strength and thus working on their paddy fields. Most of them reaped a good harvest to subsist for up to one year.

Lasting solutions are sought to solve permanently the famine problem hitting the people in the interior parts of the hills. New modern techniques of farming have to be introduced. Therefore the church hopes very soon to send a church worker for agricultural training. The executive secretary, Rev Edwin Darsanglur, would appreciate any advice or offers of help in this matter.

Karin Wisniewski
Reformed churches partnership fund