Barnabas Fund is airlifting Christians from Sudan amid tensions following the South's secession last year.

The organisation, which supports persecuted Christians worldwide, has so far flown around 500 Christians to South Sudan as part of a major operation to rescue 2,000 women and children trapped in the North.

After the predominantly Christian South gained independence last year, Southerners in the largely Muslim Sudan were stripped of their citizenship and given a deadline to leave.

Many made their own way to the South, but some were unable to make the journey. Barnabas Fund believes there are hundreds of thousands still trapped in Sudan.

Almost 500 vulnerable Christians have so far been airlifted to South Sudan as part of Barnabas Fund’s major operation to rescue 2,000 women and children trapped in Sudan.

Barnabas Fund is prioritising the most vulnerable women and children, and working in partnership with the Africa Inland Church to fly them from Khartoum to Juba.

There is growing concern for Christians remaining in the North after President Omar al-Bashir stated his intention to strengthen Sharia law in the country.

Barnabas Fund said Sudan was becoming "increasingly hostile" to the presence of Southerners.

Dr Patrick Sookhdeo, International Director of Barnabas Fund, said: “We have pledged the funds to rescue 2,000 of the neediest Christian women and children from Sudan but we eagerly desire to be able to help more of those stranded in such a dangerous and inhospitable place.

"So please do give whatever you can towards this endeavour and let’s together get these vulnerable Christians home.”

Barnabas Fund is appealing for donations to support the ongoing airlifts.

barnabasfund.org/donations/?id=48-1078&appealCode=SUD%2010/12