You are in: Latest News » Hurricane Gustav Relief Underway...
Released 2 September 2008
SALVATION ARMY RESPONDS TO HURRICANE GUSTAV
Yesterday The Salvation
Army transitioned from staging and evacuation support to emergency response as
its incident command team for emergency disaster services (EDS) deployed its
operations to impacted areas. Today the team is performing damage assessments
and setting up a center of operations for the anticipated long-term
recovery.
The
Salvation Army has already served more than 110,000 meals throughout the Gulf
Coast area as a result of Hurricane Gustav and has a feeding capacity of more
than 560,000 meals. This includes food service for evacuees, volunteers and
other emergency response workers who are helping in the evacuation. The
Salvation Army has more than 100 mobile feeding units, four 54-foot mobile
kitchens and multiple fixed feeding sites at its sites throughout the region.
The Salvation Army also has 70 canteens on reserve should the need arise. It is
operating approximately 15 shelters throughout the southeastern United States
and is providing emotional and spiritual care to those in
need.
As part of its disaster response operation, The Salvation Army also
is prepared to provide:
clean-up kits containing brooms, mops, buckets
and cleaning supplies; hygiene kits, drinking water, shower units, first-aid
supplies and missing persons support through the ham-radio volunteers of SATERN
(Salvation Army Team Emergency Radio Network).
“The evacuations and
preparations for Hurricane Gustav have been efficient and smooth so far,”
said Major Gene Hogg. “This is a multi-state effort, and we’re
working closely with the state and local governments to help all those in need.
We’re anticipating severe property damage and are hoping and praying for
all those who have been affected.”
Monetary donations earmarked “Disaster Relief”
may be sent to your local Salvation Army, made online at
www.salvationarmyusa.org or by calling 1-800-SAL-ARMY.
###