Barnabas-funded aid continues to reach Christians in war-torn Myanmar, four years after the military coup that still drives so many from their homes
Christians are grateful to receive vital aid from Barnabas supporters
What is life like for Christians in Myanmar?
Christians represent about 6% of the population of Myanmar (also known as Burma). Most belong to the Christian-majority Chin, Kachin and Karen ethnic groups.
Persecution by the Tatmadaw (Myanmar military) has continued for several decades, and intensified after the Tatmadaw overthrew the democratically elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi in a military coup on 1 February 2021.
Tens of thousands of Christians are now internally displaced persons (IDPs), often seeking refuge in camps or in the jungle. The Tatmadaw frequently attacks these camps, forcing the people to flee a second time. There is no immediate prospect of any of the IDPs returning home.
The Tatmadaw, which holds an extremist Buddhist-nationalist ideology, has been accused of deliberately attacking churches, hospitals and schools in Christian-majority areas.
How is Barnabas helping Christians in Myanmar?
Since 2005 Barnabas has funded practical aid for persecuted and impoverished believers in Myanmar. Where possible we have also provided support to those Myanmar Christians who have sought refuge in neighbouring countries.
Christians in Myanmar have been persecuted for several generations
This work continued in 2024. Despite ongoing violence and an unusually heavy June to October rainy season, our partners have reached IDPs with essential aid. This has included rice, cooking oil and other staple foods. Many were also provided with large sleeping mats, tarpaulins and blankets.
In the past year, more than 5,300 of our brothers and sisters have received Barnabas-funded support.
Victims of Myanmar Christian persecution
Incidences of Christians being displaced are numerous, but so too are testimonies of hope and faith. “Dachen” is one such Christian.
“I never thought I would become a refugee in my old age,” says 70-year-old Dachen. His family fled their home village as gunfire was heard in November 2023.
“Dachen” thanks God for the support provided
“We cannot go home yet,” he says. “In our village and its surroundings, brutal fighting is continuing.”
Dachen is just one of the recipients of the aid that has become a lifeline to so many. “Thank you so very much for supporting us,” he says. “We really need your help and support.”
“Although we are suffering so much, we do not lose hope,” he adds. “God is still in control and using you to help us.”
Churches attacked in Myanmar
Many believers have had to undertake dangerous journeys to flee the continuing conflict. “Nandar”, a 54-year-old widow, fled with her two children and 89-year-old mother after eleven days of non-stop fighting in her area.
“Many people around me lost their lives,” said Nandar. “I saw this with my own eyes.”
“We moved to a building near our church, but the Tatmadaw took over our church compound and is using it as an army base. We could not stay there anymore.” Instead, the family moved again, this time to an IDP camp further south. The three-day journey was dangerous and very difficult.
“Nandar” and her family reached safety after a difficult three-day journey
“Thank you so very much for your support and help. We have no money, we have no home, we have no food. But we praise God for giving us fellow believers who love us and help us.”
God is faithful
Among the 5,300 who have received our help are 350 families in another Christian-majority area of Myanmar. Here the Tatmadaw has destroyed dozens of church buildings and hundreds of homes. Many people have been killed, and thousands displaced.
These 350 families had been left homeless after four villages were burned down. “Our house became ashes,” cried one woman. “We had nothing to eat.”
Another woman, “Mya”, added, “We could not sleep properly, thinking about the next days, what we will eat in the next week and the next month. We do not know how long we’ll be away from our home.”
Barnabas supplied rice, cooking oil and chickpeas. “Barnabas Aid knows how we hunger, thirst and suffer,” continued Mya. “The God who knows everything knows our suffering and has used Barnabas Aid to provide us with food.”
Pray with us
- Praise God for the delivery of aid to our suffering Christian family over the past year. Pray that the supplies will not just provide vital nourishment but rekindle hope in their great provider.
- Give thanks for the long-term commitment that Barnabas and partners have shown to Christians in Myanmar. Pray that the vision, wisdom and discernment accumulated over many years will be channelled effectively to meet the most acute needs. Pray especially for the safety of partners venturing into the country’s most dangerous areas to deliver aid.
- Pray for those Christians experiencing trauma after witnessing killings to receive emotional and spiritual healing as well as physical sustenance. Pray that they will understand that their Saviour has gone before them and felt their suffering and pain and has conquered the power of death. (Isaiah 53:5)
- Ask the Lord to grant wisdom to pastors and leaders who minister to God’s people in Myanmar’s IDP camps. Pray that He will enable them to impart words of encouragement, and in season, in the face of such changeable and uncertain situations, and transmit His comfort to those tempted to despair. (Proverbs 15:23)
- Pray for peace to be restored in Myanmar to enable Christians, and others displaced, to return to their homes. Ask that Christians will be used by the Lord as peacemakers to communicate His love and the light of the Gospel even amid trying times.
Project ref: 75-763 Aid for Persecuted Christians in Myanmar
