Abductions Up in Egypt as Syrian Islamists Continue Attacks on Christians, Iraqis

It is being reported that planned abductions of Coptic Orthodox women and girls in Egypt have risen significantly since the overthrow there of President Hosni Mubarak, while in Syria Islamist terrorists fighting the government of President Bashar al-Assad continue to terrorize the country's large Christian minorities, including the many Iraqi Christian refugees who fled to the country after the US occupation of Iraq. More here and here.

Ethiopian Orthodox Church, IOCC to Provide Aid to Famine Refugee Camps

The Development and Inter-Church Aid Commission of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahido Church is preparing to join efforts to care of the thousands of Somali refugees gathering in camps in Ethiopia as the famine ravaging the eastern regions of the Horn of Africa deepens. In partnership with International Orthodox Christian Charities the Church hopes to help address sanitation issues in the camps and provide healthcare specialists to treat the camps' residents. More here.

Iraqi Kurdistan Offers Christians Refuge, Not Work

Many of Iraq's Christians have taken up Iraqi Kurdistan's offer of refuge and have found personal security, but no work or way to make a living. More here.

Eritrean Refugees Held in the Sinai

International human rights groups are calling for the release of Eritreans being held by people smugglers in the Sinai. As the political situation has deteriorated in Eritrea the government has cracked down on dissident political parties and religious organizations, including the Eritrean Orthodox Tewahdo Church. People leave the country by any way possible, paying smugglers to get them into Israel and other wealthy countries. More here.