You are in: Latest News » Salvation Army continues to assist tsunami survivo...
Released 28 December 2004
The Salvation Army is playing an integral role in meeting human need in communities devastated by Sunday?s horrific tsunami that left more than 40,000 people dead and tens of thousands still missing in 11 countries.
In India, The Salvation Army has set up mass feeding centers at their facilities. Salvation Army corps (centers for worship and service) and institutions have become 24-hour aid centers providing shelter, food and clothing to many families just happy to be alive. Assessment teams continue to rove the area, finding new needs to be met.
In Sri Lanka, the hardest hit area, The Salvation Army is making a significant difference in the lives of thousands of people trying to recover from this horrendous tragedy. The government has put out an urgent plea for assistance. Clean drinking water, tents, food, clothing and medicine are in short supply. Hospitals are being overrun by the severely injured and communities are struggling with the grim task of disposing of thousands of decaying bodies. Senior government officials fear the death toll will quickly rise as diseases spread if aid is not immediately received.
Salvationists were among the first to respond following the tsunami and have been working around-the-clock to minister to the numerous people who were left homeless, many not knowing if family members had survived. This selfless response has quickly exhausted many of The Salvation Army?s resources in the area and there is an urgent need for monetary help to get the necessary disaster aid to where its needed most.
Colonel Edward Daniel, second-in-command of The Salvation Army?s work in Sri Lanka, reports from the nation?s capital, Colombo, ?We are concerned about the people on the east and south coasts. Our assessment team has already left Colombo to visit the southern costal areas taking initial relief supplies of food and water. Our emergency coordinator has requested that all
Salvation Army centers in the costal areas become shelters for displaced people and provide them with food, clothing and counseling as necessary.?
In the United Kingdom, Salvation Army airport chaplains are providing practical and pastoral support to travelers returning home from the popular resort areas in South Asia which were struck at the height of tourist season. In Manchester, a number of charter planes landed with tsunami survivors who escaped with little more than the clothes on backs after hotels and resorts were consumed water. The Salvation Army is providing winter clothing to assist the travelers retuning home to England.
As the full extent of this tragic disaster continues to be revealed, The Salvation Army is putting out an urgent appeal for funds to best serve the survivors. Monetary donations earmarked ?South Asia Disaster Fund,? may be sent to your local Salvation Army or made online at
www.usc.salvationarmy.org or by calling 1-800-SAL-ARMY.