Christian charities serving in the Holy Land have pulled together for an Easter appeal to help the region survive the coronavirus pandemic.
Like other parts of the world, the Holy Land has gone into lockdown to reduce the spread of Covid-19.
Embrace the Middle East, Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) and Friends of the Holy Land have launched a joint Easter appeal for prayers and solidarity for the people of the region.
They warn of "dire consequences" in Israel and the Palestinian Territories, especially for those already suffering as a result of poverty and poor living conditions.
The appeal is being led by Cardinal Vincent Nichols, Archbishop of Westminster, who said: "As we follow Jesus' last days in Jerusalem culminating in his passion, death and resurrection, we should remember the many people of the Holy Land enduring their own Way of the Cross in the midst of this pandemic.
"I ask everyone, as we pray for all those suffering from this vicious virus, to pray for the people of the Holy Land particularly as we approach Easter."
The organisations fear that the virus will spread rapidly through areas that lack clean water or are densely populated, meaning that up to 15 people may live in one house.
There are further concerns about a shortage of medical supplies and the impact on those with poor diets or underlying health conditions.
Brendan Metcalfe, director of Friends of the Holy Land, described the challenges in keeping the virus at bay, and the prospect of financial hardship facing many in the region.
"In a place where there is no clean water, and where soap is in short supply and there is no hand-sanitiser, can you imagine telling people to go and wash their hands?" he said.
"While nobody is guaranteed protection from the virus, many of the people of the Holy Land are especially vulnerable and have absolutely no line of defence against this deadly disease – with no savings to fall back on, nothing."
Neville Kyrke-Smith, National Director of Aid to the Church in Need, said: "For many of our friends and project partners this is a time of survival. I know from calls and social media that Christians suffering in the Holy Land and Middle East are praying for us this Holy Week and Easter.
"We are united with them in prayer and hope – as we know the loving kindness of the faithful benefactors of ACN and other charities."
Tim Livesey, CEO of Embrace said: "Embrace is supporting a number of partners working in the West Bank and Gaza. With them, we are working to enable the most vulnerable in the community to access the support they need.
"In particular we help to fund Caritas Jerusalem, and other partners in Gaza, including the Near East Council of Churches and the Al Ahli Anglican hospital to maintain essential health services. With COVID-19 the healthcare system there is now more stretched than ever."
