The Parish Magazine March 2023

the parish noticeboard — 5
30,000,000
children in
need of food
HORN OF AFRICA SUFFERS LONGEST
AND MOST SEVERE DROUGHT EVER
HORN OF
AFRICA
Thomaspajot, dReamstime.com
More than 30 million children
worldwide are suffering from acute
malnutrition as the global food
crisis persists into 2023.
According to international experts,
seven of the worst affected countries
are East African nations that have
suffered several years of failed rainy
seasons and droughts. The worst
15 countries enduring the crisis
are: Afghanistan, Burkina Faso,
Chad, the Democratic Republic of
the Congo, Ethiopia, Haiti, Kenya,
Madagascar, Mali, Niger, Nigeria,
Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan and
Yemen.
MASSIVE INFLATION
As well as drought, last year a key
driver of food insecurity was massive
inflation which put even staple food
such as bread beyond the financial
reach of many. And this year there
is likely to be increased shortages of
food caused by the global fertiliser
shortages resulting from the war in
Ukraine. Natural disasters have also
had a significant impact.
In response to this worldwide crisis,
Barnabas Fund created www.food.gives
to supply food aid to needy Christians
in many lands and to meet a desperate,
ongoing need. If you would like to help
or find out more, go to:
https://www.food.gives/gb/
For your prayers in March
— The victims of the earthquakes in Turkey
and Syria and the aid agencies helping them
— The children and mothers of fatherless
families
— Charities working on the front line in Ukraine
— The 30 million hungry children in the world
The Parish Magazine - March 2023 13
Persecution increases in Asia, Latin
America and Africa By Colin Bailey
The World Watch List is the Open Doors annual ranking of the 50 countries
where Christians face the most extreme persecution. The definition that
Open Doors uses for ‘persecution’ is a theological one — ‘Any hostility
experienced as a result of one’s identification with Christ. This can include
hostile attitudes, words and actions towards Christians’.
The Open Doors methodology
broadly distinguishes between
two main types of persecution:
‘squeeze’ and ‘smash’. ‘Smash’
refers to concrete acts of violence
against Christians because of their
faith. ‘Squeeze’ is the persecution
experienced as pressure in many
areas of Christian life.
Back at number 1 in the list is
North Korea where 1.5% (400,000)
of the population are Christians. If
discovered by the authorities believers
are either sent to labour camps as
political prisoners or killed on the spot,
with families sharing their fate. It is
almost impossible for Christians to
meet for worship.
CRIMINAL INFLUENCE
Perhaps surprisingly, the region
showing the highest increase in
persecution is Latin America.
Nicaragua at 50 (up 11 places) is
in the top 50 for the first time. Cuba
has risen 10 places to 27. Similarly,
Colombia is up 8 places to 22. Mexico at
number 38 is up 5 places.
Open Doors identifies how criminal
groups have grown in influence and
persecution especially in rural areas in
Mexico and Colombia.
In Cuba and Nicaragua repressive
governments are intensifying
efforts to suppress those they deem
opponents to their rule.
In Comoros, three islands in
southeast Africa, there has been a rise
of violent incidents and it enters the
top 50 at 42. In sub-Saharan Africa
violence has hit ‘new heights’ according
to Open Doors. Burkina Faso, for
example (see The Parish Magazine
February page 13) has risen 9 places to
23.
Sudan, where for 3 years there were
some steps towards religious freedom,
has re-entered the top 10. Military
coups in October 2021, and August
2022 saw community police being
formed resembling the previously
disbanded morality police.
Syria is up 3 places to 12. Dozens
of churches and Christian community
buildings have been attacked, damaged
or looted, either by Turkish shelling or
criminals. At least 3 Christians were
also killed and 5 kidnapped.
Last year’s number 1, Afghanistan,
fell 8 places because the Taliban has
concentrated on consolidating power
rather than targeting non-Muslims.
Qatar, where the recent FIFA World
Cup was held, fell 16 places to 34. No
churches were closed in 2022. The
reduction in opposition to Christians
may be due to the world’s focus on
its human rights, with the attention
drawn by the World Cup.
There were fewer reports of violence
towards Christians in Egypt, and it has
dropped 15 places to 35.
Sri Lanka, at 30 a couple of years
ago when there had been Easter church
bombings that killed more than 250,
is now down to 62 — an encouraging
answer to prayer of Sri Lankan
believers.
References and further reading
Open Doors World Watch List 2023: https://www.opendoorsuk.org/persecution/world-watch-list/
Trends: https://www.opendoorsuk.org/news/latest-news/world-watch-list-2023-trends/