CHILE EARTHQUAKE

We are receiving reports from Chile of the severe earthquake that has hit that land and its devastating effects. Although we have no UK workers linked to Echoes serving in Chile, there are a number of workers from Canada and the USA who are linked to our sister organisations MSC (Canada) and CMML (USA). Some news has been received from David Jones (Canada):

Monday March 1
"As each hour passes and news coverage increases, the magnitude of the devastation caused by the earthquake is more alarming. Here is an update as of Monday afternoon.The government says half a million homes have been damaged  and two million people have been affected. These figures are also liable to increase
 There is only one report of loss of life of known believers from the assemblies.  Some halls were damaged. Two are unusable at the moment until there is an assessment made of what will be required to repair them.

In VALPARAÍSO, where three sisters live, the ceiling in the large kitchen has fallen in.
In PEÑAFLOR, where a lot of poorer folk live, many who attend the meeting there lost their homes. For the moment, a priority is to get some shelter and in theory the government hopes to give them some basic help.
In TALCA, two single sisters whose home is adjacent to the hall report damage to their home making the rooms unlivable. An elder and his brother-in-law next door also report damage done to their homes. Long lineups at gas stations show there is fear of scarcity. Supermarkets in the more affected areas are not open, some waiting for hydro to be restored.

Plans are being made by Christians here in San Felipe and also in Valdivia to take foodstuffs and water to the Christians in the affected area."

Workers in Chile are establishing a relief fund and we are making an immediate transfer of £5,000 from Echoes Disaster Fund through MSC Canada for onward transmission to Chile, and will be sending further relief support as the needs unfold.

Join with us in praying for all who are going through this devastating experience.

HAITI Disaster

An earthquake registering 7.3 on the Richter Scale struck Haiti at 17.00 on Tuesday 12th January. The capital Port-Au-Prince has been devastated with over 100,000 feared dead and up to 3 million people displaced.
Echoes have been able to establish contact with the Emmaus school in Port-Au-Prince  and Al Adams, an assembly member who works in Haiti. Although we have been advised that immediate emergency needs are best handled by the Haitian government and other relief organisations equipped for the task,Echoes are co-ordinating a relief response with  colleagues in Canada and USA. We have sent an initial sum of £5,000 from the Disaster Relief Fund  and are earmarking further funds to assist with rebuilding in months 2 and 3 of the relief effort.
Please pray for those who are still trapped but alive, for the effective co-ordination and logistics involved in bringing  relief and for the thousands who have lost loved ones and others who are displaced. Pray for believers trying to bring comfort and consolation to the bereaved and injured.

If you would like to make a donation to the relief work, you can send a cheque to the Echoes office with an accompanying note specifying your gift for Haitian Relief, or if you would prefer, you can make a donation over the phone. Echoes of Service, 124 Wells Road, Bath, BA2 3AH Tel 01225 310893

Further Information
Echoes are also aware of contacts with brethren in the Dominican Republic who have been able to assess the situation first hand, and are making the necessary arrangements to enter Haiti. The Dominican brethren have 25 doctors/translators who are waiting for permission to enter and provide aid. You may be aware that all hospitals and clinics are full and there are no longer places to treat critical cases.

Longer term, Echoes is liaising with the brethren assemblies in the Dominican Republic, which number over 300, who are keen to provide practical help with the rebuilding. There are already engineers/technicians/workman and helping hands prepared for construction projects as most have been made homeless.

Indonesia - earthquake

Two devastating earthquakes on 30th September and 1st October hit the island of Sumatra, Indonesia, killing over 1,000 people and leaving hundreds of others trapped under collapsed buildings, including schools and hospitals. It is thought that as many as 3,000 are buried under the rubble.                                            

The situation is critical since rescuers have had limited equipment and roads have been blocked. Heavy rain has made conditions worse for thousands of people seeking temporary shelter. Foreign aid teams are now being flown in but it may be too late to save many.

As yet we have no news from believers in this area. Please pray for the relief effort and for those bereaved, injured and homeless.  (03 October 2009)

Echoes are willing to receive funds for this disaster

Philippines - tropical storms

On Saturday 26th September 2009, the tropical storm Ketsana caused devastation and chaos in Manila and surrounding provinces. Floods devastated the capital, leaving an estimated 240 dead and 400,000 displaced. Homes have been washed away and families have lost all of their possessions.

Following a frightening week, another storm is forecast for tomorrow, Saturday 3rd October. Please pray that the weather will change, and that relief goods and evacuation teams will be able to reach those without food and water. Disease is a big concern right now and the stench in the area is said to be unbearable. A major rebuilding exercise will now be required.

We have been able to send assistance to Jonathan and Jingle Bradford, say "As for our house it is a wreck. We have been able to recover some of clothes and our laptop which was with us is safe. Our vital documents were high and our passports are OK, but we have lost all our furniture, almost all our clothes, books, mattresses and appliances."  (01 October 2009)

Echoes willing to receive funds to assist with the recovery and rebuilding in the Philippines

India - flooding

Not only have poultry, cattle, fish and other domestic animals perished in thousands  human bodies have been found floating in villages, five days after the great deluge. Danger of disease.

There are apparently small assemblies in the area and believers from  another part have gone taking clothes, rice and cash to help them.  (07 October 2009)

Echoes can receive relief funds for this disaster.