Tens of thousands of Rohingya people - 30,000 in eight weeks - are fleeing from the military. ‘The Burmese army have set our houses on fire. Men are shot dead. We are in deep pain.’ The Rohingya are called the most persecuted people group in the world; officially disowned by the government and stateless, even though many have lived there for generations. The UN reported civilians being mown down by helicopter guns. The Kachin people of Burma (predominantly Christian) are also fleeing their homes - nearly 100,000 have fled, many now in makeshift camps in atrocious conditions. Some try to escape by boat, but no surrounding countries will grant asylum. 200+ villages and 66 churches have been destroyed, and landmines make travel dangerous. 5,300+ people have signed a petition calling for an end to this violence and to lift the block on aid to those fleeing. If persecution does not end, thousands will starve to death or be killed by the military.

Closed elections are being held for Hamas’ Shura Council. They will shape the future council and the leadership. Ismail Haniyeh (who left Gaza in September) is expected to be elected head of the political bureau - in effect leader of Hamas. This will be a new era following the departure of previous leader Khaled Meshaal. Historically, the Shura Council comprises religious leaders and imams. Now, well-educated individuals, professionals from Gaza and the West Bank and top Palestinian lecturers from around the world have joined it. A Gaza Hamas activist was asked, ‘What would the younger generation view as an achievement?’ His answer, ‘When past leaders recognise they cannot continue to decide things on their own; others in the movement have opinions.’ The election results at the end of December will reveal if Haniyeh prefers to remain in Qatar or live among his people and the youths who view his election as a harbinger of change.

On Wednesday a 6.5 magnitude earthquake struck Indonesia’s Aceh province, destroying hundreds of homes, businesses and the Pidie Jaya hospital. To date 102 people are known to have died, including young children, and at least 1,000 were injured. The death toll could rise. The priority is for implementing search and rescue operations. Additional medical personnel have gone to the region.

Alongside food and essentials, Christians offer Bible-based trauma healing for people of all ages by talking through their experience with trained facilitators. Thousands of refugees are experiencing the Bible in a new way. When the crisis began, Bible Society staff began meeting the physical needs of refugees - mattresses, food, tents, etc. Then they realised refugees had deeper, unspoken needs - someone to talk to. They launched a Bible-based trauma healing programme in Jordan (expanding into Lebanon, Syria and Iraq), helping people to talk about their experiences and consider questions like ‘Why  is there suffering?’ They reflect on what the Bible says about their situation. It’s based on scripture, mental health practice, and science.