Reverend Joseph E. Kurtz, D.D. Bishop | Archdiocese of Louisville

More than 240 people have been killed and millions displaced across South Asia as the intense monsoon season has caused severe floods, damaging buildings, infrastructure, and crops. According to The New York Times, over 100 people were killed in India alone, more than 100 died in Nepal, and nearly 40 died in Afghanistan in recent weeks as of July 17.

Irish Columban missionary Father Eamon Sheridan works at the Rebirth Rehabilitation Center (RRC) in Myitkyina, the capital of Kachin state in northeastern Myanmar. He helps men and women trapped in addiction amid the country's drug epidemic. Speaking to OSV News following recent flooding in Kachin state, Father Sheridan described how prolonged torrential rain caused the Irrawaddy River to break its banks, spilling water into low-lying areas of Myitkyina. Approximately 2,300 families or 11,000 individuals had to be evacuated to 36 evacuation centers according to ReliefWeb.

While the Irrawaddy has overflowed during peak monsoon seasons before, this time “was the worst in living memory,” said Father Sheridan. He attributes this severity to environmental damage and climate change. “Most of the forests have been cut, which increases the water flow into the river,” he noted.

When floodwaters began rising on July 1st, almost 90 staff members and those they care for at RRC retreated to higher floors. “Communications were cut; there was no internet or phone line,” said Father Sheridan. In a moment of fear during that night he recalled a passage from Matthew’s Gospel: “A great peace came over me. Somehow I knew everything would be ok.”

The Diocese of Myitkyina’s emergency response team provided food and drinking water twice daily to RRC. According to Father Sheridan: “It is no exaggeration to say that in every family here one or two people are struggling with drug or alcohol addiction.”

Despite challenging circumstances, residents responded admirably: “There was a great sense of unity as together we sought to save as much as we could.” However after waters receded significant damage remained including destroyed wooden wardrobes and an irreparable generator.

In addition basic food prices like vegetables meat rice have risen sharply since flooding occurred.

RRC offers new life through its recovery program helping those addicted heroin by providing residential treatment facilities utilizing Narcotics Anonymous Alcoholics Anonymous’ twelve-step programs only center offering such services women

The flooding offered brief respite from ongoing insurgency escalating since military coup February first twenty twenty-one On July second heavy weapons resumed firing near center causing anxiety among residents concerned safety their families across river

Father Sheridan emphasized constant threat violence poses everyone minds all he meets Myitkyina "ongoing violence Myanmar threat everybody"

Poorly armed grassroots resistance movement became active twenty-twenty-four military air strikes increased civilian casualties growing United Nations reports eighteen point six million need humanitarian aid due conflict many displaced living camps supported international organizations churches various denominations

"The church plays important role society Kachinland seeks peace midst violent situation How end nobody knows praying war doesn’t come city Myitkyina," concluded Father Sheridan.