TALES and images of some of the world’s unseen 40 million people forced from their homes but remaining in their own country can be seen in a photographic exhibition opening at Godshill’s All Saints’ Church on Friday (July 6).

The Christian Aid exhibition ‘Uprooted’ is touring the country to raise the profile of internally displaced people who flee from conflict, climate change, natural disaster or threat and yet who are denied the official protection afforded to refugees who cross borders.

A set of photographs will highlight the personal stories and vulnerability of people forced to leave their lives behind by Boko Haram in Nigeria, conflict in Iraq and intense drought in Kenya.

They will tell the stories of those such as Ayuba (pictured above) who has sheltered fellow Nigerians in his new home after he himself was forced to flee Boko Haram.

The free exhibition, available to view during church opening hours (9am to 5pm) until July 31, at All Saints’ Church, Godshill, is part of the charity’s ground-breaking campaign calling for greater protection for internally-displaced people who are largely overlooked by the international community.

The Rev John Ryder, vicar of All Saints, said: "2018 marks twenty years since the UN adopted Guiding Principles on how to protect internally-displaced people but the truth is that few countries adopted these principles into law and even then there are issues with poor implementation.

“We want to make sure that these millions of people with brutally interrupted lives, torn from everything they know, are neither out of sight nor out of mind.

“The stories themselves inspire us with examples of how host communities and individuals have extended generosity and hospitality to welcome in these strangers and give them dignity and hope.

“The people of The Isle of Wight have shown time again their care and concern for their vulnerable global brothers or sisters and we are delighted to be able to share these stories with anyone who can visit the exhibition.”

The UN’s member states are working towards forming agreements in September on migration and refugees, but neither look set to include protection for internally-displaced people. For more information about the exhibition or to join Christian Aid’s campaign for action on the issue seehttp://www.christianaid.org.uk/campaigns/uprooted-overlooked