Christians in Mozambique are pleading for international humanitarian aid after a fresh spate of attacks in northern Cabo Delgado.

In the past two weeks, more than 60,000 people have been displaced and an unknown number kidnapped—including children.

Christians are facing intensified persecution from Islamist fighters in a country ranked as the 37th most dangerous place for believers, according to Open Doors.

Father Kwiriwi Fonseca, from the Diocese of Pemba, Cabo Delgado, told the Catholic charity Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) that the abducted children must be returned.

“This aimless war only kills, kills, kills, and takes away the little hope that the people—especially the children—had," he said. "These children must be sought wherever they are… because these children deserve to dream, these children deserve to have a better future.”

According to the UN, one million Mozambicans require emergency assistance just to survive.

Fr. Fonseca urged the international community not to “forget” the crisis.

“This silence bothers us, at a time when thousands upon thousands of our brothers in Cabo Delgado, especially in the region of Chiúre, have seen the crisis aggravated by new attacks, their homes burned, their children taken from them,” said Fr. Fonseca.

“Please continue to support the people of Cabo Delgado, continue to support those who are struggling for peace. We don’t want war; we want peace. Mozambique needs peace.”