Christians in this vast, drought-prone country on the edge of the Sahara desert, were among those facing starvation after aid groups described the food situation in Niger as ‘extremely desperate’. Save the Children warned that up to 380,000 children under five are at risk of death by starvation. Christian aid and advocacy group Barnabas Fund told Worthy News that Christians are ‘particularly vulnerable during this time of crisis,’ as they comprise just 0.3 per cent of the predominantly Muslim population of over 15 million people. Aid workers in Islamic countries such as Niger have complained that government aid is often not reaching minority Christians. Barnabas Fund told Worthy News in a statement that it is already providing close to 700 Christian families each with ‘a 100 kilogram sack of either maize or millet and a 500 kilogram bag of rice.’ (See Prayer Alert 1310)

Pray: that God would have mercy bringing rain to this parched land and aid from those who have plenty. (Ps.33:18-20)

More: http://www.worthynews.com/8490-news-alert-niger-christians-starving-group-says

Hopes are fading of finding survivors beneath collapsed buildings in the aftermath of Tuesday's earthquake in the New Zealand city of Christchurch Ninety-eight bodies have now been recovered and taken to a temporary mortuary. Prime Minister John Key said that number could rise substantially. Police have said 226 people are missing - up to 120 of them at one site alone. Superintendent Dave Cliff said 16 to 22 people were presumed to have died in the cathedral, which was devastated in the quake. The earthquake struck at a shallow depth of 5km (3.1 miles) early in the afternoon on Tuesday, when the South Island city was at its busiest. It was Christchurch's second major tremor in five months, and New Zealand's deadliest natural disaster for 80 years

Pray:for God's voice to speak through His people at this time giving hope and comfort and demonstrating Christ’s compassion in thoughts, words and deeds. (Ps.116:8)

More: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-pacific-12563177

World AIDS day was observed on December 1st. Though Nepal was hailed by the UN as achieving a significant decline in new HIV infection rates, they are now witnessing a new alarming trend with housewives accounting for nearly half of the fresh infections. The rocketing increase of housewives contracting HIV/AIDS is linked to the growing migration of Nepali men abroad for jobs, especially to India, from where they bring the disease back home to remote areas where people find it easier to go to India across the border for jobs, business, education and even entertainment. Nepal’s HIV/AIDS efforts are heavily dependent on international assistance. This situation leads to babies needlessly being born infected when they could easily have been HIV-free if their mothers were granted greater access to testing and treatment.

Pray: for streams of Godly education to support all initiatives intended to halt the spread of aids. (Job27:11)

More: http://www.nepalyouthfoundation.org/programs/health/newlife.html?gclid=CITticvB3KUCFYIe4Qod13_80A

Al Shabaab, an Islamic militant group alleged three agencies were propagating Christianity and halted their work. ‘Now that they have suspended their work, it is the local people who will suffer,’ said the Pastor now in exile, of a small Christian community in Somalia. On 8 August, the Islamic group demanded that World Vision, the Adventist Development and Relief Agency, and Diakonia, a Swedish agency, immediately cease operations in Somalia.

Pray: for God to protect and keep in His perfect peace the groups in Nairobi and elsewhere who bring emotional, physical, and spiritual sustenance where militant Islam threatens. (Ps.26:1, 12)

More: http://www.eni.ch/

Members of the House Human Rights Commission hosted a congressional hearing last week, shining a spotlight on how China is ignoring the plight of North Korean refugees living in the country. Lawmakers heard firsthand that ninety percent of the women who flee North Korea fall victims to traffickers and the Chinese government does nothing about it. In fact it is the Chinese government's ruthless policy of repatriating North Koreans that makes them so vulnerable to the traffickers. It is hoped that when President Obama meets with the leader of China later on this year he will raise this issue. The administration is silent on these issues and although nuclear issues are important, human rights for the North Korean people is important also. China also returns refugees to North Korea where they face imprisonment and death.

Pray: for more activists to make a stand for the North Korean refugees in China. (Ps.9:18)

More: http://www.cbn.com/cbnnews/world/2010/September/Lawmakers-Spotlight-NKorea-Sex-Trafficking/

The momentum behind a push to investigate Burma's (Myanmar’s) crimes against humanity is growing. Ten governments are now calling for the UN to set up a commission of inquiry over the junta regime's alleged use of rape as a weapon of war, forced recruitment of child soldiers, forced labour, torture and more. As more on these allegations came to light, Canada, France, the Netherlands and New Zealand added their support since the United States backed the move in August.They join Australia, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Slovakia and the United Kingdom. Mission agencies in the country report an open campaign targeting the Arakan, Chin and the Karen, many of whom are Christians. (See Prayer Alert 3110) Vision Beyond Borders' Wes Flint said in an earlier interview, ‘The Burmese army is not bashful about ‘their goal ‘ to exterminate the Karen people, to wipe them off the face of the earth.

Pray: the world would no longer ignore the suffering in Burma, and for God to release the country into physical and spiritual freedom (2Sa.22:7)

More: http://www.mnnonline.org/article/14775

Fighting erupted Sunday and thousands fled to Thailand as Myanmar's military government held its first election in two decades. (See Prayer Alert 4410 re Christian minorities in Myanmar). Myanmar's officials claim to have retaken control after the weekend’s clashes. On the strength of this report Thai authorities are sending home more than 10,000 people, but many are worried about further clashes. The coordinator of the Myanmar Partnership Coalition reported, ‘Many who fled the fighting do not feel safe to go back. I just wish that the Thai authorities didn't send them back yet It's too soon to be certain whether they will be safe or not.’ Some boats ferried people to Myanmar, and then came back to Thailand fully loaded with people. Thousands of men, women, and children are sheltering under blue tents erected on a soccer field next to a border patrol police station, while rocket grenades were still being fired near their homes.

Pray: for the fighting to end, shops to re-open and people to feel it's safe enough to return. (Mt.7:7 & Ps.4:8)

More: http://www.voanews.com/english/news/Troops-Regaining-Control-in-Eastern-Burma-106945193.html

Myanmar’s (Burma's) first election in 20 years is on November 7th and Christians in ethnic minority states fear that afterwards the military regime will try to ‘cleanse’ the areas of Christianity. The Myanmar junta is showing restraint to woo voters but are expected to launch a military offensive on insurgents after the election that will not discriminate between insurgents and unarmed Christians. Two million Christians live along the border that falls under the military’s target zone bordering Thailand, China and India. Catholic parishes and Protestant Myanmar Council of Churches had a prayer vigil recently and ask us to pray now for - voters to make the correct decision; the election to be free, fair and valid; for leaders who will work and make sacrifices for their people and country; elected people to be skilful leaders and able to work with their heart and soul for the development of the country and steer the country onto the road to democracy. See:

Pray: that there will be no conflicts between people groups after the election and for God to hear and answer the prayers of His people for the government. (2Ch.7:14)

More: http://www.compassdirect.org/english/country/burma/27544/