WCC news: WCC expresses profound sorrow in wake of catastrophic flood on Nepal-Tibet border

World Council of Churches (WCC) general secretary Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay expressed profound sorrow over the catastrophic flash flood that struck the Nepal-Tibet border region on 26 August.  Photo: DCA/ACT Alliance 28 August 2026 “We have followed the reports with shock and sadness: several hundred people have died, with the toll still rising, and close to a thousand more - residents, security personnel, hydropower and border workers, and hundreds of foreign pilgrims and travellers from many nations - remain missing or unaccounted for,” wrote Pillay in a pastoral letter sent to the Christian Conference of Asia. “Many more have been injured, displaced, or have lost their homes, land, and livelihoods.” Whole villages, bridges, roads, and places of pilgrimage have been swept away in a matter of minutes.  “Our hearts are heavy, and we hold this tragedy before God in lament,” wrote Pillay. “We grieve with you.” Many families are still waiting for news of the missing: a parent, a child, a pilgrim son or daughter, a foreign traveller far from home. "We pray that search and rescue teams may yet bring answers, and that God's presence may hold you through the anguish of not knowing,” Pillay wrote. “To the injured, and to those who have lost their homes, their land, their animals, and their livelihoods in these remote mountain valleys, we assure you that you are not alone and not forgotten, however far from the world's attention your villages may seem.” Pillay expressed solidarity with the government and people of Nepal, with the National Council of Churches of Nepal and its member churches, and with the WCC’s ecumenical partners across the region, including the Christian Conference of Asia. "We also hold in our prayers the communities across the border in the Tibet Autonomous Region, who share with us in this same disaster and this same sorrow,” he wrote. “We give thanks to God for the courage and endurance of the first responders - the Nepal Army, Armed Police Force, and Nepal Police; the pilots and crews of the helicopters that have flown into treacherous mountain terrain; and the volunteers, health workers, local leaders, and ordinary neighbours who, often at great personal risk, have searched the debris, carried the wounded, and comforted the grieving.” Pillay urged that the people and communities of remote mountain valleys must never be neglected. “We encourage our member churches, and all people of faith and goodwill, to act together in response to the needs of these communities, building on the God-given agency present in every person,” Pillay wrote. “May our response help rebuild trust - trust in one another, trust in our shared humanity, and ultimately, openness to faith and trust in God.” Read the full letter CCA General Secretary offers prayers and solidarity following deadly Nepal-Tibet floods (CCA news release, 27 August 2026) See more

The World Council of Churches promotes Christian unity in faith, witness and service for a just and peaceful world. An ecumenical fellowship of churches founded in 1948, today the WCC brings together 356 Protestant, Orthodox, Anglican and other churches representing more than 580 million Christians in over 120 countries, and works cooperatively with the Roman Catholic Church. The WCC general secretary is Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay from the Uniting Presbyterian Church in Southern Africa. Media contact: +41 79 507 6363; www.oikoumene.org/press Our visiting address is: World Council of Churches Chemin du Pommier 42 Kyoto Building Le Grand-Saconnex CH-1218 Switzerland