Barnabas Fund has launched an appeal to send food aid to Christians struggling in areas affected by natural disasters and persecution.

The funds raised will be shared among Christians in the Horn of Africa, South-East Asia and the Middle East and Arab world.

More than 13 million people across Kenya, Ethiopia, Somalia, Djibouti and Uganda have been affected by the worst drought to hit the region in 60 years.

In South-East Asia, widespread flooding and typhoons have destroyed homes, livelihoods and infrastructure.

Barnabas Fund has distributed food parcels containing rice, beans, sugar and cooking oil to 82,000 Christians in East Africa.

In Thailand, Cambodia and Burma, the charity has provided food, blankets, mosquito nets, boats, seeds and fertiliser.

The funds raised by the Christmas appeal will also go to helping Christians in Pakistan, Egypt and Iraq.

Christians living in these countries are facing a challenging time as a result of numerous attacks on churches and Christians by Islamic extremists.

Thousands of Iraqi Christians have fled to neighbouring Syria, Lebanon and Jordan but are unable to work there, leaving them struggling to feed their families.

International director of Barnabas Fund, Dr Patrick Sookhdeo, said: “Our Lord calls us to assist our hungry brothers and sisters as they struggle to provide for their families.

“We would like to invite you to prayerfully consider giving a Christmas gift to our Feeding Fund, to enable us to direct help to Christians who are in desperate need at this time.”

To donate to the Barnabas Fund appeal, visit: https://barnabasfund.org/donations/?id=00-636&appealCode=CMA%2011/11