For the first time on record, the number of forcibly displaced people worldwide is now more than 100 million, or 1% of the world population, a new report by the UN shows.
New conflicts and an increase in violence in countries fuelled the exodus of people from their homes in countries such as Ethiopia, Burkina Faso, Myanmar, Nigeria, Afghanistan, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Ukraine.
Among them is a significant number of Christians. All the countries that are mentioned, except Ukraine, feature on the World Watch List of the 50 countries where it is hardest to live as a Christian.
”Escalating conflict and violence put additional pressure on Christians and other religious minorities, many of whom already face a breadth of challenges because of their religious identity or activity,” said Eva Brown, a persecution analyst with Open Doors.
“Religious persecution alone, or the combination of many layers of pressure can push a person past the tipping point where they feel they have no option but to flee their home.”
Will you take a moment to pray?
Pray For Displaced People:
- Pray for peace and an end to violence.
- Pray for the safety of Christians fleeing their home.
- Pray that Christians in refugee camps will share their faith.
Stay updated with the latest prayer requests from the persecuted church.
