A strong earthquake measuring 6.3 on the Richter scale hit central Italy shortly after 3:30 a.m. on Monday 6 April 2009. Around 300 people were killed, 1,000 injured and 28,000 made homeless. The quake was centered in the mountainous Abruzzo region, east of Rome. Houses, churches and other buildings in the old city of L’Aquila, about 95 km east of Rome, and its surrounding villages collapsed. According to officials, the quake was the strongest to hit Italy in recent years and the Italian government immediately declared a national emergency.

The area was then hit by many after-shocks with the strongest measuring 5.3 on the Richter scale occurring on 7 April at 7:42 p.m. Several already evacuated houses collapsed but no further casualties were reported.

The ADI (Italian Assemblies of God) church in the old center of L’Aquila was totally destroyed and at least 7 members from the church lost their home with others having their houses severely damaged.

Convoy of Hope Europe (COHEU) partnered with the ADI in providing food, water, blankets and many other supplies to the survivors. The ADI set up a center to help victims in the middle of one of the larger camps in L’Aquilla.

Together with the VPE (Dutch Assemblies of God), the Swiss Pentecostal churches and the PEF (Pentecostal European Fellowship) COHEU was able to donate more than 55.000€ to help purchase relief goods.