John Sentamu calls on Christians to give to Myanmar appeal

DEC faith-based charities, including World Vision, CAFOD and Tearfund, have answered the call to help the estimated half a million people who have arrived in Bangladesh. They are living in squalid conditions in overflowing, makeshift camps and settlements.

The DEC said the people are exhausted, traumatised and in urgent need of shelter, medical care, water and food.

The Archbishop of York, the Catholic Bishops’ Conference, and the Muslim Council of Britain, have asked local churches, mosques, and other faith communities to back the fundraiser.

Dr John Sentamu, said: “These people have fled Myanmar over the past few weeks with little more than the clothes on their backs. Thousands of young children are suffering from malnutrition.

“As people of faith, we are called to help those who are poor and in desperate need.”

Bishop Declan Lang, Chair of the Department of International Affairs at the Catholic Bishops’ Conference added: “Our faith calls us to support all those who are facing violence and persecution.”

Harun Khan, Secretary General of the Muslim Council of Britain, said the work of DEC is of “paramount humanitarian importance” to the Rohingya refugees.

The money raised will help all 13 DEC member charities responding to the crisis to reach more people in dire need with food and medical supplies.

The UK Government will match pound for pound the first £3 million donated by the public to the DEC Emergency Appeal.

UK faith leaders have called on Christians and Muslims to give generously to the Disasters Emergency Committee’s (DEC) Appeal for people fleeing Myanmar.