The Need. NOW.

Crisis in Manipur— Good Shepherd Workers are rushing to help

The state of Manipur in Northeast India experienced 80 days of internet and telephone blackouts after massive violence broke out due to ethnic strife between rival tribes. A majority and more affluent tribal population staked their claim to benefits once reserved for the minority and generally more impoverished tribal populations in the state.

The impoverished tribes couldn’t take it anymore. They began speaking out and their rivals struck back. Violently. Within the first 15 days, more than 150 people, mostly Christians, were dead. Four hundred churches were destroyed by fire. At least 60,000 were forced to flee their villages and remain displaced even today. In a matter of mere moments, they were made homeless and robbed of their dignity.

When communication was restored 80 days later, even more horrors were revealed.  The world learned through a viral video that Christian Kuki tribal women had been paraded naked through town, groped by the public, gang-raped by men, and then brutally murdered.  It was almost too terrible to believe.

The Good Shepherd Church of India’s Archbishop Joseph D’souza appealed emotionally to the world. He said, “This violent assault and murder of women in Manipur points to the horrors to come if we fail to awaken the global conscience across religious and caste lines. Whether it’s a Muslim, Christian, Hindu, or Dalit woman who is raped or killed, all of India, and the world, must speak out for justice…Yet if hate speech and bigotry continue to rule the day, as we’ve witnessed in Manipur, the world will descend further into chaos for women everywhere.”

Even at this tragic moment, God is at work in Manipur—and so are we.

Good Shepherd India is ready and willing to bring practical help and hope to the suffering through food distribution, relief kits, and relocation services. Click here to donate today.