Compassion and Mercy Associates (CAMA), the Alliance relief and development arm, is assisting people affected by Hurricane Matthew, which slammed into the Caribbean and the southeastern United States in early October.
In Haiti, “the devastation is unimaginable,” said Gary Fairchild, CAMA’s director of Global Disaster Response. In the worst-affected areas, all non-concrete buildings were destroyed. Vegetation, gardens, and crops are gone; thousands of people are homeless.
Through gifts from supporters, CAMA was able to provide immediate relief aid to survivors. “Looking to the future, our partners in Haiti are putting together a disaster risk reduction plan that respects human dignity and encourages productivity and sustainability,” said Gary. “Pray for wisdom in planning and implementation of the plan.”
In the United States, there were no reports that Alliance people were killed in the hurricane. The Southeastern District reported that no Alliance churches in Florida were seriously affected. However, some C&MA pastors and church members in the Spanish Eastern District lost their homes.
A grant from CAMA’s Disaster Relief Fund has enabled members of Edgewater (Florida) Alliance Church to assist their community in the storm’s aftermath. Earlier this year, the congregation began an outreach in a mobile home park in Oak Hill, which was left without clean water or electricity after the hurricane. Few of these families have homeowners’ insurance.
Edgewater church members and other volunteers have provided mobile home park residents with meals, water, and ice. The congregants have also helped to remove downed trees and made emergency roof repairs.
In addition, CAMA’s grant is assisting a church family in restoring their home, which was severely damaged by a fallen tree. CAMA also has helped two other Alliance churches in Florida.
Please pray
- for safety, protection, and wisdom for CAMA staff and their partners as they continue long-term recovery efforts
- for restoration of homes and livelihoods in areas worst hit
- for all those affected by this disaster to find comfort and hope in Jesus through the love demonstrated by believers