Contact: Phil Skellie, President of CAMA Services, The Christian and Missionary Alliance, 719-265-2039 

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo., Oct. 8 /Christian Newswire/ -- The Christian and Missionary Alliance is bringing help and hope to those devastated by disasters in the Pacific Rim last week. More than 1,100 people have died in the September 30 earthquake in Padang, Indonesia, and over 300 perished in the Philippines and Vietnam after Typhoon Ketsana leveled the coastal areas of both countries. The typhoon has affected about 1.4 million people and damaged or submerged more than 350,000 houses.

CAMA, the relief and development arm of The Alliance, has responded to the flooding in Manila with a $5,000 donation to the Christian and Missionary Alliance Churches of the Philippines (CAMACOP). This will be used to assist communities where Alliance churches are located. In Vietnam, CAMA is working with PACCOM, a government agency, and the Tinh Lanh (Alliance) Church, the latter as allowed by the government.

In Indonesia, CAMA is working with Alliance national church leadership and TALI, the relief and development arm of the C&MA of Indonesia. A survey team is on the ground in the earthquake affected area to determine how best to respond to current needs.

"The devastation is overwhelming," reports an Alliance relief worker. "So many homes and families have been affected not only in Padang, the central point of the quake, but also in the outlying areas where help is just now beginning. Right now, we are focusing on gathering supplies so people can begin to rebuild their homes and not have to stay in tents, or worse, without shelter. Many of the bigger relief organizations are providing food, water, and immediate shelter. Our team would like to focus on helping people rebuild their lives. This will mean supplies and also people who will be able to stay to help distribute materials and oversee the project."

For more information on relief efforts or to donate, visit www.cmalliance.org/give/relief or call 719-265-2039.

The Alliance is a fellowship of evangelical believers joined together in local churches, dedicated to fulfilling Christ's command to make disciples of all nations. The Alliance has a thoroughly evangelical doctrinal statement and encourages believers from diverse backgrounds and theological traditions to unite to complete Christ's Great Commission.