Churches are being asked to offer accommodation for travellers in the UK that have been stranded here because of the volcanic ash cloud hovering over Europe. Millions of passengers around the world have been stranded over recent days due to the eruption of the volcano Eyjafjallajoekull in Iceland on Thursday 15 April, which halted all flights going into and out of the UK. Since then the airpspace over the UK and much of Europe has reopened but there are still many delays and disruptions and the situation remains uncertain.

Stories have been emerging from around the world of people stranded on holiday or business trips who haven't been able to make it back to the UK. Some have been able to return via car, train, and even boat - a royal navy warship rescued soldiers and holidaymakers from a northern Spanish port on Tuesday. Others have not been able to get home as easily.

A group from two Hampshire churches who had been on a missions trip in Nepal are stranded in Delhi and have run into visa problems as their temporary visas have run out and they have had to surrender their passports to Indian authorities at the airport. However they have managed to find a hotel to stay in, and Chris Kilby from Alliance member Life Church Southampton said there was a real "Dunkirk spirit" there. They have been given food by other guests, and they were able to organise a quiz night for the others on their flight and held a service in one of their rooms.

In another example of Christian hospitality, when the touring Rochester Cathedral Voluntary Choir was unable to fly backto the UK from Seattle on Thursday 15 April, members of Episcopal Church of St Barnabus were able to host choir members in their homes and give them meals.

Can you or anyone in your church offer emergency accommodation for those stranded in the UK due to flight cancellations? With many flights from UK and other airports still disrupted at the time of writing, Christians can help those affected by offering hospitality. If you or members of your church have room to accommodate people who are waiting for flights, please contact Adrian Fricker of Christian Response in Emergencies as soon as possible at A-Fricker@talktalk.net. You will then be put in touch with those in need. Any Christian who is living in a city near an affected airport can take part.

News links

BBC: Airlines face huge task as ban ends

Telegraph: Few flights arrive despite airspace reopening

Times: Airlines 'breach EU law' by refusing to pay for hotels

BBC: Some UK flights resume after volcanic ash disruption

Telegraph: Royal Navy ship rescues Britons from Spain

Telegraph: Brown insists passenger safety is 'paramount' as some flights resume

Times: UK flights grounded again by new ash cloud

Times: No 'volcanic ash holiday' as schools set exiled pupils work online

Times: 'Armada rescue' by aircraft carrier is a wasteful gesture, say ferry companies

Guardian: UK government seeks new flying routes

Independent: Volcanic activity limits UK airspace reopening

Southern Daily Echo: Indian visa limbo for Hampshire church members

Kent News: Iceland volcano leaves choir stranded in the USA