Chinese churches and Christian agencies, as well as the government and army, have begun responding to the recent earthquake. The quake, measuring 7.9 on the Richter scale, has devastated a region west of the provincial capital Chengdu.

The most powerful earthquake to hit China in 30 years, registered at a magnitude of 7.9, has killed at least 10,000 people in the south-western Sichuan province, with thousands more trapped and injured, says the BBC and news agencies.

As part of a global coalition of church bodies, Christian Aid is working with the UN to assess the needs of the people of East Africa's Great Lakes region after it was struck by a major earthquake leaving 39 people dead.

Regional and international staff working for major church agencies involved in the region are consulting about relief interventions in the immediate aftermath of a series of quakes in Africa's Great Lakes area.

Relief teams from aid agencies in the UK have left to assess the impact of a series of massive quakes that rocked Sumatra’s west coast and led to tsunami warnings being issued across the Indian Ocean.

Christian Aid is sending £50,000 to local partner organisations in Ica, one of the regions most badly affected by the 8.0 magnitude quake which struck off the coast of Peru on 15 August 2007, claiming 500 lives and leaving thousands homeless.

An unexpected earthquake off the coast of Kent led to huge disruption but few casualities yesterday. The Salvation Army was among those assisting with evacuation and emergency support.

Pakistan earthquake survivors are learning new skills to rebuild their homes as part of a steady process of community reconstruction, say church-based aid organisations involved in relief and long-term redevelopment.