Across the highlands of Papua New Guinea, the story is the same: Rain is desperately needed.

For several weeks now, the normally wet, fertile, rainforest of the highlands has been without life-giving rain.

Melanesia South Pacific Field Strategy Coordinator Harmon Schmelzenbach sent the following update to the Asia-Pacific Regional Office September 3:

“Melanesia Nazarene Bible College, with its 128 resident students and their spouses and children, as well as staff and faculty, combined with Melanesia Nazarene Teacher’s College, collectively make for more than 600 residents on campus who are currently being severely affected by an unusual drought in Papua New Guinea. Gardens, which are the main source of food on campus, are mostly destroyed by the drought. Water is at critical levels.”

On September 1, the Simbu/Eastern Highlands District Nazarene Missions International Council arrived with many 10kg rice bags and cases of noodles to be rationed out to students over the next two weeks.

Kudjip Nazarene Hospital, located just 15 minutes from the school, has also been affected by the drought. The adjacent river is extremely low, affecting the hospital's electricity from the hydroelectric plant. Water for drinking, washing, cooking, and hospital functioning is at a minimum.

The hospital staff praised the Lord after receiving a small amount of rain for their rain barrels, but the drought is still severe.

How to help

Churches and individuals around the world can support food relief distributions by giving to the Asia-Pacific Disaster Response Fund through Nazarene Compassionate Ministries.  

To send donations by mail:

In the U.S., make checks payable to "General Treasurer" and send them to: 

Global Treasury Services
Church of the Nazarene
P.O. Box 843116
Kansas City, MO 64184-3116

Be sure to put 1200 in the Memo area.

In Canada, make checks payable to "Church of the Nazarene Canada" and send them to:

Church of the Nazarene Canada
20 Regan Road, Unit 9
Brampton, Ontario L7A 1C3

Be sure to put 1200 in the Memo area.

For additional countries, give through your local church or district, designating your gift to the Asia-Pacific Disaster Response Fund.

--Church of the Nazarene Asia-Pacific Region