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Published: Wednesday 09 March 2011

Christians forced to flee violence in Ethiopia need urgent aid

Project(s): 00-345

Country: Ethiopia, Middle East and North Africa

Ethiopia-Church-destroyed-4X3.jpg
Dozens of churches in western Ethiopia
have been destroyed by Islamists


An estimated 10,000 Christians have been forced to flee their homes in western Ethiopia following a barrage of attacks by Muslim extremists, who are rampaging through the area setting churches and houses ablaze.

Three Christians have been killed, with many more injured in the violence, which started in Asendabo, Jimma Zone, last Wednesday (2 March) after Muslims accused a Christian of desecrating a copy of the Quran.

“The manner in which Christians have been terrorised by radical Islamists is truly shocking. This has been a very distressing time for the believers.”
Barnabas Aid staff member, who returned from Ethiopia on Monday

Attacks involving thousands of Islamists have continued, spreading systematically through five districts in the predominantly Muslim area. Information about the extent of the damage and number of people affected is still coming in; so far, 55 churches and dozens of homes are reported to have been torched, with many more properties looted by the mob.

An estimated 2,000 Christian families (10,000 people) are currently displaced, having fled to Jimma city to escape the violence. Local churches are trying to look after them, but they are overwhelmed by the number of people in urgent need of food, medicine, shelter, blankets and clothing.

Barnabas Aid is sending a grant to help Ethiopian Christians affected by this crisis and is appealing for further donations.

The cost of emergency supplies are:

  • shelters: £2 per family
    (€2.3; US$3.20; AUS$3.20; NZ$4.40)
  • nutritional biscuits: £2 per child for three months
    (€2.3; US$3.20; AUS$3.20; NZ$4.40)
  • blankets: £3 each
    (€3.5; US$4.90; AUS$4.80; NZ$6.60)
  • wheat/maize: £57 per family for three months
    (€66; US$92; AUS$91; NZ$125)
  • cooking oil: £11 per family for three months
    (€13; US$18; AUS$18; NZ$24)

The authorities were initially criticised for their limited response. Church leaders requested more police protection, but security forces sent in by the authorities were overwhelmed by the attackers. Now, however, it is reported that they are making a more concerted effort to calm down the situation.

Muslims comprise around a third of the Ethiopian population and have generally lived peacefully with the Christian majority. But Muslims are becoming increasingly radicalised by preachers who are promoting aggressive forms of Islam from countries such as Saudi Arabia and Pakistan. More than 20 Christians were killed in similar violence in western Ethiopia in 2006.

Dr Patrick Sookhdeo, International Director of Barnabas Aid, said:

This totally disproportionate response by Ethiopian Islamists to a perceived offence by one Christian has precipitated a humanitarian crisis. Our brothers and sisters in western Ethiopia urgently need our prayers and practical assistance amid this devastation.

Give Today

If you would like to help Christians in Ethiopia affected by this crisis please send your donation to project 00-345 (Victims of Violence). Please click to donate online using our secure server.

If you prefer to telephone, dial: 0800 587 4006 from within the UK or +44 1672 565031 from outside the UK. Please quote project reference 00-345 (Victims of Violence).

If you prefer to send a cheque by post: Click this link for the address of our regional office. Please quote project reference 00-345 (Victims of Violence).

For a quick donation of £3.00 by SMS (see terms and conditions here) text Barnabas/345 to 70007 (Please note: This facility is presently only available to UK supporters).

Please Pray:
  • Pray for those who have been bereaved, injured or lost property in the attacks, that the Lord will comfort, heal and provide for them.
  • Give thanks that Christians in Jimma city are doing all they can to help their brothers and sisters; pray that they will have the resources they need.
  • Pray that the authorities will take swift and decisive action to re-establish peace and bring the offenders to justice.
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Christians forced to flee violence in Ethiopia need urgent aid

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christian, persecution, charity, church, persecuted, sookhdeo, Islam

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