Nepal DR efforts stymied by fuel shortages but still bear fruit

Sindhupalchawk, NEPAL A fuel crisis precipitated by the closure of the main road between India and Nepal in response to protests over the new Nepali constitution hindered but did not halt Southern Baptists of Texas Disaster Relief efforts in the Sindhupalchawk region.

The road serves as the main supply line into Nepal for food and fuel. Dozens of fuel trucks are stranded at the border, Caroline Anderson of Baptist Global Response reported Nov. 11. 

Garry and Sherry McDugle, SBTC DR coordinators who deployed to Nepal in June 2015 and returned to the Texas in early November, recalled fuel lines that were many miles long. “People would often wait 24-36 hours in line, sometimes receiving no fuel,” Garry McDugle said. “It was crazy. Worse than the 1970s back home.”

Most of the vehicles used by SBTC volunteers required the more readily available diesel fuel, McDugle noted. “The diesel fuel was cut with kerosene and cost three times what it would in America, about $10 a gallon,” McDugle said. “Petrol or gasoline is as much as $30 a gallon.” 

The fuel crisis hampered projects and halted construction on schools being rebuilt in the remote mountainous regions. “For the past few weeks now most relief efforts have been minimal due to the high cost and scarcity of fuel,” McDugle added.  

Despite the obstacles, much fruit resulted from DR efforts as five teams rotated in to serve during the McDugles’ deployment. SBTC personnel worked with three BGR medical and relief teams as well. 

McDugle reported three new Christian fellowships led by Nepali nationals. “At last count, [there were] 52 salvations, nine baptisms, with others waiting for a safe time after end of the Hindu celebrations.

“All this was already in motion and created by the Holy Spirit. We just got to come along for the ride,” McDugle said. “And, of course, this is the reason we do disaster relief work, to see the salvation of Jesus come alive in people’s lives!”