Christian Victims of Attacks in Jos Area Need Medicines, Food, Shelter
Contact: Jerry Dykstra, Open Doors USA, 616-915-4117, jerryd@odusa.org
SANTA ANA, Calif., March 17 /Christian Newswire/ -- Open Doors USA is planning to send $65,000 of emergency relief to Christian victims of a massacre in the Jos area of Nigeria.
On March 7 a Muslim attack on the Christian village of Dogo Nahawa left between 300 and 500 dead, hundreds wounded and families mourning the loss of loved ones. Also, 75 homes were destroyed.
In breaking news from the Associated Press today, attackers killed 12 people in the small Christian village of Byie. The dead included seven women and four children.
"Persecuted Christians in the Jos area need emergency relief now," says Open Doors USA President/CEO Carl Moeller. "Open Doors is committed to long-term rebuilding of Christian communities through holistic care, but first we must stop the bleeding.
"You can help provide urgently needed medical supplies, food and shelter for those who have lost everything in the recent Muslim attacks on Christians. Please consider helping our suffering brothers and sisters in Christ."
To help send emergency relief to Nigeria, go to www.OpenDoorsUSA.org or call 888-5-BIBLE-5 (888-524-2535).
Moeller adds the Open Doors co-workers on the scene at Dogo Nahawa report that the situation is grim. "They report it was an extraordinarily disturbing scene. Most of the murdered were women and children, killed by Muslim neighbors who wielded machetes. Our coordinator shared, 'One group of 65 bodies we saw included only nine men. The rest were all women and children.'"
The Open Doors relief will include:
- Immediate Survival -- an injection of funds into local medical clinics.
- Evacuation/Safety -- Safe houses to get those in the most danger away from Muslim extremists who seek to harm them. Funds are needed for the structures, food, beds and bedding.
- Orphan Care/Spiritual Support -- Support and education for those who are orphaned, discipleship and distribution of evangelism materials.
Open Doors' Nigerian country coordinator said last week:
"Our team is on the ground in Jos, visiting the bereaved and also those who have been injured and are in the hospital. A high priority for us is to respond to the immediate need for food and water.
"We have been pursuing every avenue available to us to help the church equip their members to always be able to give and answer for the hope they have, to reach out to Muslims in love and to react to their adversaries in a way that is pleasing to God. We also help ostracized Christians find other ways to earn an income."
The attack on March 7 is the latest in several religious clashes in Plateau state in recent months that have claimed lives and property. Plateau state is a predominantly Christian state in a country almost evenly divided between Christians and Muslims. The Muslim minority has been contesting ownership of some parts of the state, leading to frequent clashes, according to Compass Direct News. Twelve states in northern Nigeria have enacted Shariah Law (strict Muslim law). Northern Nigeria is ranked No. 27 on this year's Open Doors World Watch List of the worst persecutors of Christians.
An estimated 100 million Christians worldwide suffer interrogation, arrest and even death for their faith in Christ, with millions more facing discrimination and alienation. Open Doors supports and strengthens believers in the world's most difficult areas through Bible and Christian literature distribution, leadership training and assistance, Christian community development, prayer and presence ministry and advocacy on behalf of suffering believers. To partner with Open Doors USA, call toll free at 888-5-BIBLE-5 (888-524-2535) or go to our website at www.OpenDoorsUSA.org.
