|PIC1|Persecution watchdog Release International has launched an urgent appeal to help Burma's Christians reach out to survivors of Cyclone Nargis within their community amid reports that the military regime is withholding aid from Christians.

Release said it was receiving reports from its partners that some Christian groups in the country were being denied aid by the military junta, which has been reluctant to let in foreign aid and aid workers to help in the aftermath of the cyclone that struck on May 2.

According to Release's partners in Burma, the authorities are denying aid to some Christian groups in the country and there are fears that the junta may use the aftermath of the cyclone to ethnically cleanse people groups that are predominantly Christian.

Years of fierce persecution against Burma's largest and mostly Christian minority group, the Karen people, is well documented. They have previously fallen victim to ethnic cleansing, military attacks and have been used as human minesweepers by the army because of their faith.

The US-based Christian Freedom International echoed concerns for the Karen people. It fears that the relocation of storm-affected victims into consolidated population centres, currently being enforced in Karen State, is more to do with the junta's effort to increase its control over civilians rather than care for survivors in need of help.

The Chief Executive of Release International, Andy Dipper, said, "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 said its partners in Burma have been bringing food to Karen survivors of the cyclone, who say they have been denied aid from the authorities. Some have gone into hiding for fear that the authorities may use the chaos to pursue their policy of ethnic cleansing unseen.

An estimated 134,000 people are dead or missing after the May 2 storm and sea surge, which largely affected the Irrawaddy Delta. Around 2.4 million people are in need of aid.

Release International's contact on the ground, Pastor Barnabus, whose real name has been concealed for security reasons, described the devastation caused by Cyclone Nargis.

"There are many Christian villages in the worst hit area," he said. "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 that the churches had pooled their resources together to help Karen survivors in hiding.

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

"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 is helping Karen survivors by delivering bags of rice that have been donated by churches.

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 1,700 Karen minority Christians."

Pastor Joshua, another Release partner, runs a Bible college that was damaged in the cyclone. The students escaped unharmed.

"We are safe by God's grace, but are suffering from a lack of water and food. Many thousands of people are homeless now," he said.

"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."

A network of pastors, students and churches is being coordinated by Release International's partners on the ground to provide shelter for hundreds of homeless families.

"Believers have responded sacrificially and courageously to reach out with help and hope," said Release. "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."

The Director of Operations at Christian humanitarian agency World Emergency Relief, Alex Haxton, said on Friday that negative media headlines have meant that emergency appeals for Burma are receiving donations well below expectations.

Whilst media reports have tended to spotlight the struggle aid agencies are facing to bring aid to cyclone survivors, Haxton insisted that those agencies with native Burmese partners on the ground, like WER, World Vision and Tearfund, are successfully reaching those in need with emergency relief.

He appealed to Christians not to be dissuaded from giving to emergency appeals.

"The need is real, the need is great. So do give and pray that righteousness will prevail. Don't be negative, don't be sceptical, but give and give generously because there is real need," he said.

Release International said it had also begun successfully sending out aid from the UK and that it plans to send more as funds come in.

"Please help the Christians of Burma as they reach out to their communities to save lives," said Dipper. "Help them to rebuild their homes, schools, churches and orphanages."

Premier Christian Radio and Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW) have teamed up for a new nationwide campaign, Change for Burma!, to highlight the current crisis in the country and mobilise Christians the world over in championing human rights and freedom in Burma.

"The campaign highlights three immediate steps which the international community should take to address the political and humanitarian emergency in Burma," said Christian Solidarity Worldwide.

"The first step is to act without delay to ensure the immediate and safe delivery of humanitarian aid to the victims of Cyclone Nargis, with whatever means necessary.

"The second is to categorically reject the results of the sham referendum held in Burma earlier this month.

"The third is to put pressure on the UN Security Council to refer a case of crimes against humanity against Burma's ruling generals to the International Criminal Court."

Supporters of the campaign are being urged to write to Foreign Secretary, David Miliband, and Secretary of State for International Development, Douglas Alexander, to address the campaign's concerns and build an international coalition to deliver humanitarian aid.

"It's our duty as a Christian media group to highlight the work of Christian Solidarity Worldwide and other Christian organisation," said Premier Christian Media's Chief Executive, Peter Kerridge said. "We hope that by partnering with Christian Solidarity Worldwide on the the Change for Burma! campaign we can take their message to Christians across the UK."

The campaign has been endorsed by Archbishop Desmond Tutu, who said, "We follow the Christ who always stood with the oppressed, the weak and the marginalised: 'inasmuch as ye have done it to the least of these ye have done it to me.'

"Let us join with Christ with those suffering in Burma. Let us support them in their plight," Archbishop Tutu said.

For more information about the campaign, go to www.changeforburma.org