Local Salvation Army Forces Mobilized Immediately
February 28, 2010
Following a devastating 8.8 magnitude earthquake in Chile during the early hours of Saturday morning (27 February), Salvation Army emergency Services were immediately mobilized to provide support and comfort. International financial assistance is already on the way. The Salvation Army has had a presence in Chile since 1909 and today offers social services including hospitals, schools for impoverished children and adult rehabilitation.
The immediate response is to provide food, water, first aid kits, emergency packets, blankets, candles and other urgently required supplies. A recently arrived mobile canteen (a donation From The Salvation Army in the United States) is one of the key relief vehicles.
The earthquake epicenter was approximately 90 miles North west of the city of Concepción in Southern Chile. This is approximately 350 miles from the capital of Santiago. Nevertheless, according to officials on the ground, the quake was of a 7.0 magnitude in the Santiago metropolitan region. People have flocked to the streets as numerous aftershocks continue to pummel the country, severely affecting older buildings in the more historical areas of the larger cities.
Water, gas and electricity has been cut off in affected areas and will stay disconnected until emergency crews can assess the damage and prioritize immediate needs.
Donors can visit www.salvationarmyusa.org to make a donation to support ongoing relief efforts in Chile, or text the word "chile" to 52000 to make a one-time $10 donation billed to their cell phone account.
SAWSO Report: In Haiti FedEx, UPS, DHL Focused on Needs
Helping make The Salvation Army's relief efforts possible
Bulletin Date: Tuesday, February 16, 2010 at 8:36:36 AM CST
Alexandria, VA: An extraordinary earthquake requires an extraordinary response-a response that The Salvation Army has been able to mount due, in no small measure, to the collaborative efforts of Federal Express, UPS, and DHL. In fact, within the first month of this disaster, The Salvation Army delivered 558,000 pounds of relief supplies for the suffering people of Haiti.
"The logistical precision of this operation is amazing," remarked Major George Polarek, Assistant Director of The Salvation Army's World Services Office. "From point of origin to point of delivery, we have depended on the generous support and expertise of these transportation giants." To date, among other items, 2.6 million meals, nearly 3,000 tents, and 8,710 pounds of medical supplies were delivered to Haiti.
"Fed Ex filled a critical logistical gap in our delivery of goods to our launching point in Miami," according to Bob Myers, Logistics Chief for the Haiti Incident Command Team. "We could not get food to Miami fast enough. It was taking 3 days, which was unacceptable in light of the circumstances. Through Fed Ex's generous donation of their Custom Critical system, food was delivered to Miami, from anywhere in the country, in less than 36 hours." The expediency of this delivery is due to the use of two drivers in one truck driving nonstop.
Myers added, "Without the use of Fed Ex's Custom Critical, we would not have been able to ship over one million meals to Haiti within the first ten days. Their generosity directly saved lives."
From Miami, UPS flew relief supplies into Port-au-Prince. When they could not fly into Port-au-Prince, they flew into Santa Domingo, Dominican Republic, and then trucked the supplies over the mountains for distribution in Haiti. UPS' ensured that The Salvation Army was able to keep much needed supplies moving into Haiti
DHL provided valuable storage space at the Port-au-Prince Airport. In addition, when there was no fuel available for sale, DHL provided free fuel for The Salvation Army's delivery vehicles. Without this support, relief supplies would not have gotten to the devastated areas.
Polarek explained, "We are keenly aware that our relief efforts are only possible through partners such as Fed Ex, UPS and DHL. They enable us to be the hands of Christ to suffering people."
The Salvation Army responded immediately to the earthquake, with local Salvationists quickly joined by international personnel. The Salvation Army has assumed responsibility for the care of nearly 20,000 people living in the temporary camp near its compound in Port-au-Prince. In addition, service sites are located in Petit Goave and Jacmel and distribution sites are in Croix-des-Bouquets (6 mi east of PAP) and Balan (18 mi east of PAP). Its medical clinic continues to treat more than 250 people a day on-site, with several transfers daily to the hospital.
To assist in this effort, the public may contribute to The Salvation Army's "Haiti Earthquake" fund. Donors may contribute $10 via their phone bill by text messaging the word "HAITI" to 52000, and responding to the confirmation message with the word, "Yes." Also, donors may give via www.salvationarmyusa.org, 1-800-SAL-ARMY 1-800-SAL-ARMY 1-800-SAL-ARMY and through the mail at: The Salvation Army World Service Office, International Disaster Relief Fund, P.O. Box 630728, Baltimore, MD 21263-0728 with designation "Haiti Earthquake."
SALVATION ARMY ASSISTS LATEST SURVIVOR
Man who survives 28 days in rubble brought to Salvation Army clinic for help.
Alexandria, VA (February 8, 2010) - Salvation Army personnel provided initial triage to the latest survivor of the Haitian earthquake. Evan Ocinia, a 28 year old man, was brought to The Army's clinic in the Delmas 2 neighborhood of Port-au-Prince after being miraculously pulled from the rubble in the Lionshead marketplace on the morning of February 8th- 28 days after the earthquake that destroyed nearly the entire country. Two men digging thorough the rubble heard Evans calling out to them. They pulled him out and took him to The Army's clinic.
"Evan was extremely dehydrated and had skin wounds but he didn't appear to have any critical wounds or broken bones," according to Major Evelyn Chavez, Emotional and Spiritual Care Officer. "He was able to hold his head up on his own and take some small sips of water from the doctor who accompanied the transport."
Salvation Army personnel transported Evan to the University Of Miami Hospital, which is located adjacent to the airport in Port au Prince.
For the latest updates on The Salvation Army's response to this disaster, please visit http://blog.salvationarmyusa.org/, http://twitter.com/salvationarmyus and http://www.facebook.com/SalvationArmyUSA.
UPDATE - 2/06/10
The Salvation Army continues to be a beacon of hope for individuals and families whose lives were devastated by the earthquake. While the Haiti Relief Team maintains support and provides assistance for 20,000 individuals in an area adjacent to their compound in Port-au-Prince, they have reached out to other areas of the country - diligently meeting needs at the point of need at the time of need. There has been a steady, marked improvement in the overall situation in the four weeks since the earthquake. Our own operation has been refined with improved local logistics, communication, accommodation. In addition, better coordination of air traffic means transportation for freight is improved, as well. Relief ministries include the following:
· The Salvation Army Relief Team has established service compounds in three communities - Port-au-Prince, Petit Goave (Satellite), and Jacmel (Satellite). In addition, services are provided to the communities of Croix-des-Bouquets (6 mi east of PAP) and Balan (18 mi east of PAP).
· After being alerted by personnel from the Canadian Military, The Army's Jacmel Assessment Team investigated Decouze, which is a rural site between Port-au-Prince and Jacmel. The team discovered 500 families who had been completely without outside help since the earthquake. The community was clearly in shock but grateful that, finally, "someone from a foreign land had noticed their plight." A determination of future service will be made in the coming days.
· The Salvation Army is being recognized internationally as an expert in effectively and efficiently handling this crisis. WORLD Magazine published an article on February 2nd highlighting this phenomenon. Excerpts include the following: "The UN estimates that as many as 1 million people are homeless, and UN emergency coordinator John Holmes acknowledged that aid delivery remains painfully slow. But in other parts of town, private aid groups are quietly getting work done...[The Army distributed] an estimated 552,000 meals [in] less than four hours...While the UN grapples with the maddening conditions of delivering aid in Haiti, groups like The Salvation Army are proving a point: Some of the best aid is coming from the groups with long standing connections on the ground...Despite the damage, within days Salvation Army staffers formed a plan to be the lead group providing care for a crowd nearing 20,000 people near their compound. At a UN meeting last Monday, The Salvation Army was one of just five non-governmental organizations with a concrete plan for managing a camp."
· In order to increase efficiency, a UPS Trackpad Project is being developed. The Trackpads, provided by UPS, are laptop/handheld scanner/laminated ID cards with barcodes, which will monitor which families receive food at the Point-au-Prince distribution point. This project is expected to begin within the coming weeks.
· The Salvation Army distributed food, blankets, kitchen sets, plastic sheeting, and hygiene kits to 600 families from the Jacmel compound.
· In collaboration with World Concern, The Salvation Army distributed hygiene kits at the Port-au-Prince distribution point.
· Well over 200 people being treated each day.
THE SALVATION ARMY PRESENCE IN HAITI (PRE-EMERGENCY)
The Salvation Army has been officially working in Haiti since 1950. Our present assets in the country include:
· 63 Commissioned Salvation Army Officers
· 161 Employees
· 39 Corps and 23 Outposts (Worship and Community Centers)
· 5 Social Institutions (Clinics, Children's Homes)
· 46 Schools with 443 Teachers
INITIAL EMERGENCY PRIORITIES
The Salvation Army's initial Emergency Assessment has confirmed the following priorities, in order of immediate importance:
1. Water - Safe drinking water
2. Nutrition - Food
3. Medical Assistance - Medical supplies and treatment
4. Shelter
5. Trauma, grief, and spiritual counseling
SHORT TERM RECOVERY
Once the initial needs have been met, the next step will be to provide sustainable solutions to make necessities available to the affect population:
· Repair/reestablish local water sources
· Provide water filtration capacity
· Provide assistance to local population to rebuild permanent, more earthquake resistant housing
· Develop strategic plans for long term Salvation Army Program and Facility Reconstruction
INTO THE FUTURE
The Salvation Army was active in Haiti before the earthquake. We will rebuild our damaged faculties, while continuing our already well established programs. We are committed to standing by the Haitian people as they move into the future.
· Medical clinics
· Education
· Long Term Relief and Reconstruction
· Community Development Projects / Income generation / Child Nutrition / HIV/AIDS
· Advocacy
Haiti Disaster Statistics as of February 6, 2010
FOOD TOTAL
Numama Rice delivered 2,041,400 meals
MEARS Ready Eat delivered 6,900 meals
Bottled Water 20oz delivered 23,328 servings
Jugs of Water delivered 6,720 gallons
Water Filtration Systems 30,000 gallons/day
Total Water Supplied 500,000 gallons
SHELTER
8x8 Tents delivered 2,900 tents
Cots delivered 480 cots
MEDICAL
Patients Served 16,110 individuals
MASH Tent delivered 1 tent
Medical Supplies delivered 8,710 lbs
Hygiene Kits delivered 1,500 kits
MISC
Rubbermaid Coolers delivered 480 coolers
Duffel Bags delivered 310 bags
Canvas Tote Bags delivered 10,000 bags
SHIPMENTS
Cargo Flights 10 flights
Cargo Items 556,000 lbs
Monetary donations and prayer are the two most critical needs as supplies and personnel are mobilized
· The Salvation Army had raised more than $9 million for relief efforts.
· Donors can text the word HAITI to 52000 to donate $10 to The Salvation Army's relief efforts via their phone bill. It is important for donors to confirm their donation with the word, "yes."
· Monetary donations can also be made through:
· www.salvationarmyusa.org and via PayPal
· 1-800-SAL-ARMY 1-800-SAL-ARMY 1-800-SAL-ARMY
· The Salvation Army World Service Office
International Disaster Relief Fund
PO Box 630728
Baltimore, MD 21263-0728
*Please note that your donation is for Haiti Earthquake relief*
· Even before donations are processed, The Salvation Army is committing and spending money on relief efforts in Haiti. Donations are critical now and also help ensure that the long-term needs of the Haitian people are met.
The Salvation Army has had a presence in Haiti since 1950 and its personnel who were affected by the earthquake are now working to assist others in need
· The Salvation Army operates schools, clinics, hospital, feeding programs, children's homes and church-related activities through some 60 Corps community centers across the country.
· For more information about The Salvation Army's activity responding to the disaster in Haiti, please visit http://www.salvationarmyhaiti.org/ or their Facebook pages at http://bit.ly/8AAgWs , http://bit.ly/6T7KHa, and http://bit.ly/6e9aUs.
· Bob Poff, the Director of Disaster Services for The Salvation Army in Haiti, shares his story about the earthquake here: http://bit.ly/721Jk2.
· All photos, video and other material on these pages are free for public and media distribution.
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About The Salvation Army USA
The Salvation Army, an evangelical part of the universal Christian church established in 1865, has been supporting those in need in His name without discrimination for 129 years in the United States. Nearly 30 million Americans receive assistance from The Salvation Army each year through the broadest array of social services that range from providing food for the hungry, relief for disaster victims, assistance for the disabled, outreach to the elderly and ill, clothing and shelter to the homeless and opportunities for underprivileged children. 82 cents of every dollar spent is used to support those services in 5,000 communities nationwide. For more information, go to www.salvationarmyusa.org.
WEEKEND UPDATE - OPERATIONS: January 29-31, 2010
While the situation in Haiti continues to be very serious, The Salvation Army Relief Team is providing massive amounts of food, water and other relief materials to the people in Haiti.
The team in Haiti received a shipment of 18 pallets of food, representing 213,840 meals along with 4 pallets (over 5,100 individual bottles) of water on Saturday.
- A subsequent delivery of 35 pallets of food (415,800 meals) was in route with a scheduled Sunday arrival time in Port-au-Prince. These meals were accompanied by 8 pallets of water which provided over 1300 gallon jugs of water for distribution.
- Team members were coordinating with the US Army 82nd Airborne to arrange a food delivery of over 174,000 meals to a particularly hard hit neighborhood in Port-au-Prince which had not received any major food distributions before now.
- Meetings were held and partnerships continued to be forged as The Salvation Army convened meetings in its role as Camp Managers for the approximately 20,000 displaced people now finding whatever shelter they can in the Delmas 2 neighborhood. Critically important issues being addressed is water and sanitation, the provision of medium-term shelter, various NFI's (non-food items) including kitchen and cooking kits, etc., and, of course, regular and reliable deliveries of food. On-going medical services and the timely restoration of education programs for displaced children are also priorities.
- This weekend was also a transition time for the team as some members transitioned out of Haiti and new team members began arriving. International emergency personnel continue to provide support and assistance for our Haitian Salvation Army Officers and staff who have been working heroically and self-sacrificially ever since the earthquake.
- Medical services continued seamlessly this weekend despite the arrival of a new team of doctors, nurses, and support staff to replace outgoing medical personnel.
- Massive community packaging events are being conducted (with more in the planning stage) in communities around the USA. This continues to be a critical link in the supply chain that has allowed The Salvation Army to deliver well over 1.3 million meals already and will ensure that these life-saving deliveries continue until local systems can be restored.
- Early estimates are that The Salvation Army will be required to supply over 1 million meals per week for at least the next six weeks in order to sustain displaced families until regular and sustainable UN deliveries of food can be put into place.
Salvation Army Provides Food for 7,000 Haitians, Medical Care to Hundreds
Medical teams provide aid to orphans, residents; supply line moving critical resources to Haiti
Alexandria, VA (January 19, 2010) - Nearly 7,000 people were given a five-day supply of food Monday by The Salvation Army in Port-au-Prince. Hundreds of others, including infants at an orphanage, received medical care from Salvation Army doctors who are responding to the earthquake. In the U.S., more personnel and supplies are being sent to the country to join the 700 Salvation Army workers who are permanently stationed in Haiti.
Additionally, in Port-au-Prince, a 14-person Salvation Army medical team provided care to nearly 200 people Monday, suturing wounds and treating broken bones. Two doctors and a nurse administered formula and oral electrolyte solution to dozens of orphans left with little help since the earthquake six days ago devastated the country and left their orphanage in shambles. At the orphanage, volunteers affiliated with the Mennonites repaired the water system.
"Our teams heard there was a need at the orphanage and we responded," said Major George Hood, National Community Relations Secretary, based in Alexandria, VA. "This is but one of many, many situations where medical needs were in short supply, and we were able to respond in time, to help."
The medical teams, according to Maj. Hood, have already run into problems with a lack of diesel fuel to operate generators for lighting, forcing them to stop working at dusk. In addition, The Salvation Army is working to send an anesthesiologist to support medical procedures.
The medical teams, as well as other specially trained volunteers, officers and staff from across the country and Canada, are being flown via donated corporate jet aircraft from airports in South Florida as flights are available.
The Salvation Army's supply line of critical resources is being funneled through South Florida via cargo aircraft. Currently, FedEx is helping The Salvation Army move more than 1 million pre-packaged meals from Kansas and Iowa, and tents and flashlights from the Coleman Co., are being sent along with other donations and purchased goods.
The Salvation Army set up a Haiti relief fund and is accepting monetary donations. Donors may contribute $10 via their phone bill by text messaging the word "HAITI" to 52000, and confirming the donation with the word, "Yes." Donors can also give via www.salvationarmyusa.org, 1-800-SAL-ARMY 1-800-SAL-ARMY 1-800-SAL-ARMY and through the mail at: The Salvation Army World Service Office, International Disaster Relief Fund, P.O. Box 630728, Baltimore, MD 21263-0728 with designation "Haiti Earthquake." To date, more than $4.79 million has been donated to The Salvation Army's relief effort in Haiti.
In Haiti, The Salvation Army operates schools, clinics, a hospital, feeding programs, children's homes and church-related activities through some 60 Corps community centers across the country. One Salvation Army facility, or compound, includes a home for more than 50 children; a school with a daily attendance of 1,500 children; a medical clinic caring for 150-200 people daily; and a church that on any typical Sunday welcomes nearly 1,000 people. The facility is less than 10 minutes from the National Palace and is in an area known as St. Martin that is home to predominantly poor living in the nation's capital.
According to reports from Salvation Army staff in Port au Prince, no one in the compound was injured during the earthquake, but the children's home, the clinic and church suffered major damage. Several smaller buildings, including residences, have collapsed completely. The second compound that houses Salvation Army administrative offices is being used as an emergency operations center; damage was slight to this compound, according to Salvation Army reports from Haiti. The Bethel Clinic, The Salvation Army's hospital in Fond-des-Negres (75 miles west of Port-au-Prince) reports some minor damage, but no injuries.
For continued updates, please visit www.blog.salvationarmyusa.org.
Salvation Army Assessment Teams Arrive in Haiti
Mobilization Continues for The Salvation Army's Earthquake Response at Home and Abroad
Alexandria, VA (January 15, 2010) - An initial Salvation Army assessment team is on the ground in Haiti and en route to the capital city of Port Au Prince. Once there, the team will liaison with Salvation Army personnel already on site in Haiti, where the Army has had a presence since 1950. As with all such relief efforts, The Salvation Army's initial focus will be to assess the immediate needs of the people affected by the earthquake, then utilize its resources to mobilize and ship food, water and other critical necessities to where they are most needed.
On the homefront, hundreds of volunteers will work through the weekend to prepare and package one million ready-to-eat meals at the El Dorado Convention Center in El Dorado, Kansas to support Salvation Army relief efforts in Haiti. The meals - which consist of rice, soy protein, freeze-dried vegetable and vitamins and can be cooked in boiling water - come courtesy of Numana Inc. (http://www.numanainc.com/). The million meals will total more than 150,000 pounds once boxed. No time-table has been set for the delivery of the meals, but The Salvation Army is currently coordinating with other agencies to get these supplies where they are needed. An additional 250,000 meals, also prepared by Numana Inc., are currently awaiting shipment from Des Moines, Iowa.
"We saw a devastating earthquake strike Haiti this week," said Lt. Col. Dan Starrett, Executive Director of The Salvation Army World Services Office. "Now, donor generosity is striking back."
The Salvation Army is also asking donors to assist relief efforts in a new way by texting "HAITI" to 52000 on their mobile phones. The text message will automatically provide a $10 donation to disaster relief efforts in Haiti. Donors can also give via www.salvationarmyusa.org, 1-800-SAL-ARMY 1-800-SAL-ARMY and the mail at: The Salvation Army World Service Office, International Disaster Relief Fund, P.O. Box 630728, Baltimore, MD 21263-0728 with designation "Haiti Earthquake." To date, The Salvation Army has raised $1.8 million to support ongoing disaster relief. The Salvation Army has committed more than $850,000 to support relief efforts in Haiti. The most pressing need right now is for monetary donations.
The Salvation Army operates schools, clinics, a hospital, feeding programs, children's homes and church-related activities through some 60 Corps community centers across the country.
One Salvation Army facility, or compound, includes a home for more than 50 children; a school with a daily attendance of 1,500 children; a medical clinic caring for 150-200 people daily; and a church that on any typical Sunday welcomes nearly 1,000 people. The facility is less than 10 minutes from the National Palace and is in an area known as St. Martin that is home to predominantly poor living in the nation's capital.
According to reports from Salvation Army staff in Port au Prince, no one in the compound was injured during the earthquake, but the children's home, the clinic and church suffered major damage. Several smaller buildings, including residences, have collapsed completely.
The second compound that houses Salvation Army administrative offices is being used as an emergency operations center; damage was slight to this compound, according to Salvation Army reports from Haiti. The Bethel Clinic, The Salvation Army's hospital in Fond-des-Negres (75 miles west of Port-au-Prince) reports some minor damage, but no injuries.
For continued updates, please visit www.blog.salvationarmyusa.org.
Salvation Army Mobilizing Personnel, Resources to Aid with Haiti Relief
January13, 2010
The Salvation Army is mobilizing resources and personnel to assist with the international relief effort in Haiti following a severe earthquake Tuesday that damaged much of the country's infrastructure, housing and commercial buildings.
The Salvation Army has had a presence in Haiti since 1950 and currently operates schools, clinics, a hospital, feeding programs, children's homes and church-related activities spread across two major facilities in Port au Prince, close to the epicenter of the earthquake and at other locations in the country.
One of the facilities, or compounds as it is referred to, includes a home for more than 50 children; a school with a daily attendance of 1,500 children; a medical clinic caring for 150-200 people daily; and a church that on any typical Sunday welcomes nearly 1,000 people. The facility is less than 10 minutes from the National Palace and is in an area known as St. Martin that's home to predominantly poor living in the nation's capital.
According to reports from Salvation Army staff in Port au Prince, no one in the compound was injured during the earthquake, but the children's home, the clinic and church suffered major damage. Several smaller buildings, including residences, have collapsed completely. People were sleeping in the parking lot overnight, while severe aftershocks continued to affect the country.
The second compound that houses Salvation Army administrative offices is being used as an emergency operations center; damage was slight to this compound, according to Salvation Army reports from Haiti.
The Salvation Army hospital in Fond-des-Negres (75 miles west of Port-au-Prince) reports some minor damage, but no injuries.
The Salvation Army's World Services Office, based in Alexandria, VA, has committed $50,000 to the relief effort and the organization is prepared to commit more financial resources, as well as food, water and other emergency supplies, to assist in the recovery.
Our world services office is preparing to send more than 44,000 lbs of pre-packaged emergency rations to the country, along with emergency disaster teams. The Salvation Army is working with other agencies to identify appropriate transportation for the food. As with all such relief efforts, The Salvation Army will be a part of the initial emergency response while assessing longer term needs of the residents.
"Our thoughts and prayers are with the people of Haiti at this time and especially our Salvation Army officers and employees throughout the country," said Lt. Col. Dan Starrett, who directs the Salvation Army World Services Office.
The Salvation Army is accepting monetary donations to assist in the effort via online donations, 1-800-SAL-ARMY 1-800-SAL-ARMY and postal mail at: The Salvation Army World Service Office, International Disaster Relief Fund, PO Box 630728, Baltimore, MD 21263-0728.
About The Salvation Army
The Salvation Army, an evangelical part of th