Zimbabwe: 700,000 destitute evictees
Amnesty International and coalition of partners said the government of Zimbabwe must take action to protect hundreds of thousands of people living in substandard settlements five years after a programme of mass forced evictions and demolition of settlements across the country affecting more than 700,000 people - leaving them without a home or livelihood or both. Most were driven deeper into poverty by Zimbabwe’s economic crisis. An operation aimed to provide shelter for the victims and improve their living conditions was a failure and abandoned. The NGO has called on the Zimbabwean government to provide adequate alternative accommodation or compensation to those left homeless and jobless. Victims are surviving in plastic shacks without basic essential services and their needs are at risk of being forgotten because their voices are consistently ignored.
Pray: and cry out to God for His provision to be released for Zimbabwe’s forgotten victims of injustice. (Pr.2:21)
Gaza: Convoy of humanitarian aid
Eight cargo ships with more than 10,000MT of building materials, medical equipment, medicines, Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) machines, unavailable in Gaza, CT scanners, X-ray and kidney dialysis machines will set sail for the Gaza Strip on 27 May in a symbolic attempt by activists to break the three-year Israeli blockade. Scores of smaller vessels carrying passengers from 140 nations are part of the ‘flotilla’ which will attempt to dock in Gaza City on 28 May. Passengers include 50 parliamentary members from EU and Arab nations, and Israeli Knesset member Hanin Zoabi. Israeli foreign affairs ministry spokesperson described the fleet as a ‘publicity stunt’ adding ‘International aid organizations and the private sector of Gaza ensure that all the necessary food, medicine and clothing are provided to the Strip via Israel.’
Pray: for God to spread his protection over the needy and have mercy on those suffering injustice. (Ps.9:8-9)
More: http://www.irinnews.org/Report.aspx?ReportId=89255
Somalia: 14 Christians killed observing Pentecost
Somalia's minority Christians bravely observed Pentecost amid gunfire on Sunday May 23. Witnesses reported at least 14 people died in clashes between pro-government troops and Muslim militants who have killed Christians and pledged to turn Somalia into a strict Islamic state. Residents said fighters from the insurgent group al-Shabab tried to advance on the presidential palace overnight but were stopped by government troops and African Union peace keepers.
Pray: God will strengthen and protect the body of Christ in Somalia and intervene in every national conflict for His purposes. (Ps.5:8)
More: http://www.worthynews.com/8144-news-alert-somalia-christians-observe-pentecost-amid-gunfire-14-killed
Nigeria 2: al-Qaida offers to train and arm Muslims
The leader of North Africa's al-Qaida branch has offered training and weapons to Nigeria's Muslims to fight the Christians following sectarian violence. Abdelmalek Droukdel, leader of al-Qaida in the Islamic Maghreb, has accused Nigerian Christians of killing hundreds of Muslims in a ‘Crusader war’ and promises to train Muslim youths and supply them with weapons and equipment. He exhorted Nigerians to ‘push your sons into the fields of Jihad to become the fighting vanguard in defence of the Muslims blood and honour.’ Violence between Christians and Muslims in central Nigeria left 326 people dead late last month.
Pray: for law and order to be restored, that Christians will not retaliate with further violence but will show Christ-like love.(Ps.17:7) More: http://ausprayernet.org.au/newsletter/DisplayNewsletter.php?e_id=00000001889#st4
