Reports are coming in that Burmese Christians are being denied relief aid by the military regime following Cyclone Nargis. Release International is launching an urgent appeal to help Burma’s Christians reach out to their communities and save lives.

Release is getting information from its partners in Burma that the authorities are denying aid to some Christian groups in the country. There are also fears that the junta may use the aftermath of the cyclone for ethnically cleansing people groups that are predominantly Christian.

The minority Karen people, many of whom are Christians, are among the most discriminated against in Burma. They have been victims of ethnic cleansing, military attack, and have even been used as human minesweepers by the army.

Release International’s partners in Burma have been bringing food to Karen survivors of the cyclone, who say they have been denied aid by the military. Some are in hiding, fearing the authorities may use the chaos as cover to pursue their policy of ethnic cleansing.

It’s feared that 78,000 were killed when the cyclone struck on May 2 and a further 56,000 are still missing.[1] Pastor ‘Barnabus’ described the devastation caused by Cyclone Nargis:

‘There are many Christian villages in the worst hit area. In one township all 17 Christian villages have been totally wiped out. Only a few people survive. When international aid arrived the authorities discriminated against Christians. Those with the ‘C-virus’ [Christians] don’t get aid. So the churches are doing their best to help them.’

He told Release the churches had been pooling their resources to help Karen survivors who are in hiding for fear of the authorities: 

‘They are in hiding because of rumours that the authorities will force them to undertake road construction like prisoners on a chain gang.

‘The junta is systematically carrying out an ethnic Christian minority cleaning operation. It is clear they want to replace the people of the fertile swamp delta area - the rice bowl of Burma - with the ethnically Burman people. And they want to drive the Karen to a different location to mix them with the Burman.’

Pastor ‘Barnabus’ has been taking bags of rice donated by churches and other essential items to Karen survivors who are awaiting help. 

He added: ‘These Karen have not been saved by the authorities, but by the churches. We were able to give our small gifts to survivors at a high school – about 1700 Karen minority Christians.’

Another of Release’s partners, Pastor Joshua, runs a Bible college. The building was damaged in the cyclone but the students escaped unharmed. He says: ‘We are safe by God’s grace, but are suffering from a lack of water and food. Many thousands of people are homeless now. 

‘Many poor people’s houses nearby have gone and more than 400 people ran to the college for shelter. The problem is we have no food for them. I am going out to our mission fields to see if I can find our people. Thank you for your prayers.’

Release International’s CEO Andy Dipper says: ‘Release is concerned that access to many of those in need is still being denied, as a result of discrimination against Christians. We remain troubled that international relief funds might be misused to forcibly relocate people on grounds of their ethnicity or faith.

‘Any relocation of internally displaced persons from camps or disaster areas must be voluntary. They should not be coerced in any way – including through the suspension of aid. These people should be allowed to return to their former homes in safety and with dignity.’

Release International’s partners in Burma have mobilised a network of pastors, students and churches to provide shelter for hundreds of homeless families. 

Believers have responded sacrificially and courageously to reach out with help and hope. In a land where the nation’s leaders have vowed to eradicate Christianity the challenge is to reach out with the gospel and demonstrate the love of God.

Release has already begun sending out aid from the UK and more will follow as funds come in. ‘Please help the Christians of Burma as they reach out to their communities to save lives,’ says Andy Dipper. ‘Help them to rebuild their homes, schools, churches and orphanages.’

To donate online, please go to www.releaseinternational.org or you can make your donation over the phone by calling 01689 823491.

Through its international network of missions Release International is supporting Christians imprisoned for their faith and their families. It supports church workers, pastors and their families, and provides training, Bibles, Christian literature and broadcasts. Release International is a member of the UK organisations Global Connections, the Evangelical Alliance and the Micah Network.

For a country profile on Burma please go to: http://www.releaseinternational.org/pages/country-profiles/burma.php

For further information please contact Andrew Boyd on 01730 301905 or 07986 712 813, or contact Release International on 01689 823491 or by email at info@releaseinternational.org 

For more information on Release International please go to: www.releaseinternational.org

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[1] BBC May 22 http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/7414015.stm