Christians facing extreme violence in West Africa need your help

Stand with our persecuted family.

Over 360 million Christians suffer persecution and discrimination. They follow Jesus, no matter the cost. With your help, we're bringing them resources and hope.

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Your support helps persecuted Christians continue to courageously follow Jesus.
Together, we can reach those where persecution hits hardest.

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World Watch List

Open Doors’ annual ranking of the countries where Christians face the most extreme persecution.

Levels of persecution:

Extreme
Very High
High

1 in 7

Christians around the world are persecuted for their faith

60,000

North Korean Christians were given emergency food and medicine through Chinese networks

5,898

Christians were murdered for their faith last year

5,100

churches and Christian buildings were attacked last year

3,829

Christians were abducted last year

View country profiles

2022 ranking

Afghanistan
North Korea
Somalia
Libya
Yemen

Explore the list

Latest stories

Nigeria | May 13, 2022

New bill in Nigeria will punish victims of Islamic extremist groups

UK | May 13, 2022

What happened at Spring Harvest

Burkina Faso | May 12, 2022

Trauma care brings healing to weary widows in Burkina Faso

Nigeria | May 10, 2022

896 Nigerians killed in violent attacks in 2022

Prayer and praise

Please pray

Pray for the family and friends of Deborah Samuel, a Christian student in Nigeria who was murdered after she shared a message with her WhatsApp group praising Jesus for helping her with her exams.

Give thanks

Earlier this year, Open Doors partners in Asia ran a programme for new Christians. It was attended by 19 people, including six non-Christians. During the event, four gave their lives to Jesus and got baptised!

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Courageous Christians

These believers are bravely following Jesus despite enormous opposition, or raising support and awareness for the persecuted church. This is the worldwide family of Christians.

Andrew Nigeria

Pastor Andrew’s village in Nigeria was devastated by Islamic extremists. But he and his church rebuilt a place to worship.
Meet Pastor Andrew

Charity Nigeria

Charity’s village was attack by Islamic militants Boko Haram. Now, thanks to your prayers and gifts, she and her family are receiving healing through Open Doors trauma care.
Meet Charity

Rebekah Sri Lanka

Rebekah was badly injured in the Easter church bombings in Sri Lanka, and several close relatives were killed. Today, she is still faithfully following the Lord.
Meet Rebekah

Ruth Nigeria

Ruth was kidnapped by Islamic militants in 2014, and held captive for years. Eventually she was able to escape, and is now healing from her trauma with help from Open Doors.
Meet Ruth

Hajaratu Nigeria

Hajaratu was already widowed when she had to flee Fulani militants. Tragically, her young daughter drowned in the attempt to escape.
Meet Hajaratu

Pengdwende Burkina Faso

Pastor Pengdwende had to flee his community in Burkina Faso, along with many other believers, after violent jihadist attacks.
More on Burkina Faso

Praba Sri Lanka

“People who had never even seen us were praying for us when we could not.” Praba is so grateful for your prayers, after her son was killed in a church bombing.
Meet Praba

Bae North Korea

Bae (name changed) has a life sentence of backbreaking labour and starvation – all because she was found with a Bible. Read her story of fleeing North Korea, and choosing to go back.
Meet Bae