“Many schools have been set alight and destroyed in attacks,” wrote our Nigerian project partner recently. “Meanwhile, hospitals are ill-equipped or located far away from displaced communities, severely disrupting health care provision and access.”
Displaced Christian communities often have to make do with home remedies for critical cases, such as crushing leaves to treat wounds or using battery acid, coal or petrol for disinfectant.
These communities are also lacking in being able to offer spiritual and mental support – a huge need considering the many who witness violent attacks and prolonged displacement.
Christians who have been displaced due to extremist attacks often have to rely on ambulances visiting camps before they can receive the help they need
Nigerian Christians faced with unceasing violence
At least 45,000 Christians in northern and Middle Belt Nigeria have been killed by Islamists since 2009. There is no sign of an end to the violence.
Christian families are being forced to flee from attacks, taking only what they can carry. Far from home, they are left with almost nothing – sometimes just the clothes they are wearing.
Local churches are doing their best to support where they can, but they too are struggling.
Equipping vulnerable Christian communities for a brighter future
Through our project partners, Barnabas is helping these vulnerable Christian communities to sustain themselves in several ways.
Firstly, through training and provision of medical backpacks, volunteer first responders can provide life-saving care for those injured in anti-Christian violence. These supplies can also help those with more general health needs.
Can you help provide school supplies to displaced Christian children so they can continue their studies despite the trauma they have endured?
Secondly, Barnabas is also helping to equip Christian children with the knowledge and skills to save lives. They will be taught how to perform basic first aid while waiting for further help. Training of this kind can help these young people focus on the needs of the injured, stay calm, assess the situation and respond as needed, potentially helping reduce panic in the moment and reducing possible symptoms of PTSD in the future.
Thirdly, we can also provide educational resources, exercise books and Bibles for displaced children, who have lost their teachers in the ongoing violence or been forced to flee far from their schools. This will meet both the spiritual and educational needs of those suffering from displacement and trauma.
£3 ($5; €4) could provide a children’s Bible
£12 ($14; €13) could provide a box of stationery to give to Christian children so they can study and take part in class exercises
£32 (€38; $35) could provide 144 exercise books for Christian children
£150 ($180; €165) could provide a medical backpack, including the medicine, bandages, sterile gauze and antiseptics.
