BOB ABERNETHY: Amid calls for contributions to help Nepal earthquake victims, humanitarian groups are urging donors not to ignore other ongoing crises, especially the millions of Syrian and Iraqi refugees who need assistance. Kim Lawton reports on one Hollywood power couple trying to help.

KIM LAWTON: Reality TV producer Mark Burnett and his wife actress Roma Downey have developed several highly successful Bible epics for television and the big screen. Their most recent project, "A.D. The Bible Continues," tells the story of the apostles’ efforts to spread Christianity after Jesus’ death. It has been airing this spring on NBC.

After hearing reports of Christian communities in Iraq and Syria being targeted by ISIS, late last year, the Burnetts launched "The Cradle of Christianity Fund," a project to help refugees fleeing the violence. They donated the first million dollars.

MARK BURNETT: We have managed through our fund to help 72,000 Christians get through the harsh Syrian winter. Imagine surviving the persecution and the threats of death, only to freeze to death.

LAWTON: With winter now over, they are supporting efforts to help the refugees find more permanent living situations. As Christians, they say they are very concerned about the future of their faith in the lands where it first took hold. But Burnett says the Bible stories he is retelling in his miniseries show reasons for hope as well.

BURNETT: It’s amazing that the Romans weren’t able just to kill the twelve apostles and stop Jesus’ message; and instead, those twelve guys took down Rome.

LAWTON: I’m Kim Lawton reporting.