Christian Aid has recently issued 'Ministerial Survival Kits' to Gordon Brown and five of his newly appointed Secretaries of State to ensure tackling world poverty is at the top of their agenda.

The kit, which has been created by Christian Aid's policy and campaigns team, contains a photograph and story of a person in the developing world who is suffering as a result of climate change or unfair trade rules.

Each box contains a bottle of water, mosquito net, condom, tin of tomatoes and a globe stress ball to serve as visual reminders of Christian Aid's messages on trade, climate change and HIV.

Each item carries a label with startling facts and figures about global poverty.

The kit has been sent to the Prime Minister, Foreign Secretary, Environment Secretary, Chancellor, Secretary of State for International Development and the Minister responsible for Trade Policy.

Sally Golding, chief political advisor at Christian Aid, said: "Whilst ministers adjust to their new roles and take stock of the tasks ahead, the concerns of the poorest people in the world should be at the front of their minds.

"The poor should act as their new 'special advisor', a photograph of them a constant reminder of the people the ministers' decisions will affect and the difference they can make if they choose to."