You’re helping Nigerian Christians who lost everything

Christians from Benue, Nigeria, share their thanks with Open Doors supporters.

“Thank you for the food you have given – the food will really help us,” shares Dennis, a Christian in Benue, Nigeria. His grandfather was killed in the attack, though Dennis and his wife and children managed to escape. “We will share with the other people who don’t have anything.”

Thousands of Nigerian Christians – like Dennis – are displaced and desperate, after a series of brutal attacks by radical Islamists in Benue State earlier in the year. More than 200 people were killed, and huge numbers lost their homes, livelihoods and everything they owned. The ordeal didn’t end there, though. The believers faced starvation and homelessness, left without anything.

With your support, Open Doors local partners are able to begin helping our Nigerian brothers and sisters living in terrible circumstances. The partners identified 9,000 believers who were facing the greatest need, and we launched an emergency appeal.

It’s already making a life-changing difference.

“You set me free”

“Thank you, brothers and sisters in Christ,” says another believer, who had lost everything. “In fact, you set me free. You help me a lot with my family, because what you have given is so much. I don’t know how to express the feelings. I’m so happy. Thank you.”

Each relief parcel contains 80kg of maize, 25kg of rice and 25kg of beans. The displaced believers also receive medicine and clothes. It is enough to keep families going, and it shows they are not forgotten by their global church family.

Trauma and prayer

The crisis isn’t over, of course. Virtue*, a local Open Doors partner who is helping distribute the emergency aid, explains that these Christians are still deeply in shock. “From what I saw, the people are really traumatised,” she says. “They need trauma care.”

Virtue adds: “You could see it from their faces – even when we give them the relief aid, you could see. They couldn’t really smile or sing. They were excited about the food. But then, at the same time, they couldn’t express it on their faces because of the trauma they’re carrying.”

You can still contribute to the emergency appeal for Christians caught up in the appalling attacks in Benue – and your prayers are crucial. “Brothers and sisters, please pray for us,” says Dennis. “Pray for Benue State. Pray for peace to be restored so that we can return home.” 

With your support, Open Doors local partners can continue serving this community for as long as they need it. Thank you for encouraging, praying for and sustaining our Nigerian church family.