July 2026

As we post this on July 20th, we are at 74% of our $70,000 goal! You still have time to double your donation up until August 9th.

Every year, a third of all the funds raised through the Summer Giving Match go towards Disaster Relief and Rehabilitation.

This has been a key focus for Harvest Bridge from early in our history. Wherever our Asian partners have the ability to engage in relief efforts when humanitarian crises occur, we aim to assist them—through winning grants from institutional donor partners, raising support from church and individual donors like you, pulling directly from our existing relief funds, or some combination of these. Our leaders very often have comparative advantages in disaster relief work: many have deep relationships in remote and marginalized communities, which are often hard to access or overlooked in the distribution of aid.

You tend to hear from us during the major events that hit the news—often record-breaking floods or earthquakes.

But in between these events, there are often much smaller, but just as crucial, disaster responses happening in our network. Here is a snapshot of some of those projects from the past year.

Since 2021, nearly 141,000 men, women, and children have received lifesaving relief supplies in the wake of natural and manmade disasters.

Following flooding in northern India last September, we supported our church leaders in providing food, water, and blankets for 100 families who were most impacted.

It filled the gaps for those most in need. Priscilla*, who organized the project, shared:

“An old widow lost her pots and dishes in the flood. She said, ‘No one remembered us, but the church came like a family.’ She was very happy to get a blanket and new utensils. Another poor family with three small kids lived in a damp room. Their children often got sick. When we gave them a blanket and water bottle, the mother said, ‘This is care and love.’ It made them happy and gave them peace.”

“This food assistance has been an absolute lifeline for my family of six; it gives us the strength to keep going.”

In Myanmar, our most common disaster response during the war has been distribution of food packets, as so many people are forced to leave their homes due to violence, or they simply do not have enough food because of manmade shortages.

Recently, with the support of a partner organization, we are able to send about $14,600 in food relief for displaced families. Pastor Pan* explained,

“With the ongoing armed conflict and military operations in [our state], thousands of civilians have been forced to flee their homes due to intense fighting, airstrikes, and widespread destruction. Many displaced families have sought refuge in [our city], and have faced a food crisis and many kinds of challenges. In response to this humanitarian crisis, this emergency food assistance project provided life-saving support to 241 of the most vulnerable displaced families (~1,570 people). By delivering essential food supplies at a cost of 240,000 MMK (~$61.50) per household, the initiative ensures about a month’s worth of sustenance for families ranging in size from 4 to 9 members. It has been a great blessing to serve our people here when others are suffering and their lives are risky because of the ongoing escalations.

A mother, Sian*, said ‘When the airstrikes started nearing our village, we had no choice but to run. We fled into the dark night with nothing but the clothes on our backs. Walking for hours through the dense forest and steep mountain roads with my children was terrifying, but we had to survive. Arriving in [the city], we had no food and nowhere to go. This food assistance has been an absolute lifeline for my family of six; it gives us the strength to keep going.’

A displaced farmer, Khan*, said, ‘The conflict stripped us of our livelihoods and our dignity overnight. I used to provide for my family through my own business and farm, but now we rely entirely on the kindness of others. This emergency supply package, especially the large bag of rice, means my family of eight will not go hungry tonight. It gives us hope that we are not forgotten. Thank you for standing with us in the time of our darkest hours.’

Your help restored hope to the families, and God’s light shined among us.”

Our other most common relief project in Myanmar is supporting the actual evacuations of families fleeing the conflict.

Just last month, we helped over 400 people escape a bombing campaign by the military. Pastor Kap*, one of six pastors who helped organize the evacuations, sent this update after everyone reached safety:

“With your help, 86 families (around 407 people) have been taken to the safe place. Approximately 295 people, including children, were taken by van/truck; another 84 people were taken by [motorized] tricycle. Some of the people have their own motorbikes, and eight motorbikes have taken 16 people as we filled the motorbikes with fuel from our remaining funds. Your help saved the lives of many people, like the elderly, children, and the disabled. A big thanks to you for your concern and love toward these suffering people; now they have their future in the midst of such hopelessness. Now, I learned that our village is attacked and I don’t know about the damage yet. But thank God, we are safe and we thank you for your continued prayers.”

Another key aspect of disaster relief is rebuilding afterward. In Bhutan, we recently helped two of our pastors rebuild their churches following severe flood damage. In his project proposal, Pastor Silas* shared the importance of the building to his church:

“Our church was established with a vision to reach the remote mountainous villages of Bhutan with the Gospel. The church is located in the mountainous region of the Himalayas and was established a few years ago. Most of its members come from nearby mountain villages. By the grace of God, the ministry is progressing well. People from seven mountain villages travel every week to attend the services, growing in faith and fellowship. During the recent flood, the church suffered severe damage; heavy winds blew away much of the roof. Currently, the church is in a very poor condition, making it difficult for believers to gather for fellowship due to unpredictable rain and intense heat from the sun.”

The project was about $8,000. The local congregation raised half the funds, and we provided the rest. The church is being rebuilt right now!

These are the types of projects that are always happening behind the scenes with Harvest Bridge.

Your giving during the Summer Giving Match provides us the buffer of funds we need to be able to send support when and where it is most needed. Thank you!!