A section of a Welsh church has been transformed into an interactive Safe Zone to highlight Humanitarian Safe Zones set up in areas of war and conflict around the world.

The exhibition at St John’s Church in Cardiff city centre has been set up by the charity Christian Aid to highlight  this year’s theme of peace and reconciliation in areas of conflict, during its week of fundraising which runs from May 11-17.

Members of the public are invited to visit the exhibition which has been divided into five stations – with each reflecting a value held dear by people who are forced to flee to humanitarian safe zones during times of conflict.

These colour coded stations of Truth (yellow), Brotherhood (green), Justice (red), Freedom (blue) and Solidarity (purple), include information and real life testimonies from people living in these areas. There will be an opportunity to write postcards of support, make donations and pray.

Peter Donnison, Christian Aid’s regional co-ordinator for Wales said, "One of the countries which we are focusing on this Christian Aid Week is Columbia where one of our partners has played a crucial role in setting up humanitarian safe zones which offer protection to people living in areas of conflict, particularly families who have been forcibly displaced from their lands.

"No weapons are allowed in these areas and people live in safety where before there was only conflict."

The 50 year conflict in Columbia has resulted in 5.7 million people being forced from their homes, the highest number of internally displaced people in one country anywhere in the world. Christian Aid partner Inter-Church Commission for Justice and Peace (CIJP) has played a crucial role in setting up humanitarian zones that provide psychological support to victims of armed conflict, legal support so victims can get justice and workshops to educate people about their rights.

Manon Defis, 24, who is coming to the end of 10-month internship with Christian Aid in Wales visited Columbia last October and experienced life inside a humanitarian zone.

"For a growing number of people across the world, the horror of war is a part of daily life. Right now, fuelled by the devastating violence in both Syria and the Democratic Republic of Congo, the numbers of people driven from their homes by war is on the rise," said Manon.

"This Christian Aid Week we’re sending people living in fear the message: you are not alone, we’re with you, helping you to rebuild your lives and working for peace."

Vicar of St John’s, Dr Sarah Rowland Jones, who will be launching the exhibition during morning service on Sunday said, "St John’s is a sanctuary of peace in the heart of Cardiff and so it seemed obvious to invite Christian Aid to put on their display here as there is a similarity between this idea of a ‘safe place to live’ and the location of St John’s as a safe haven for people to be in the city of Cardiff."

The exhibition will be open daily from 10am to 3pm from Monday to Saturday. A special service focusing on Christian Aid Week will be held at St John’s on Sunday, May 18, at 6pm.

Other events being held during Christian Aid week range from a curry and quiz evening at St Peter’s Church, Fairwater on May 16, at 7pm to a non school uniform day at Tredegarville Church in Wales Primary School, Cardiff.

To donate to Christian Aid Week, give online at www.caweek.org or text GIVE to 60155 to give £5.