Haiti earthquake: The Salvation Army relief efforts

Dear Friends,

 

You will have heard the news of the devastating earthquake which struck the Caribbean country of Haiti this week, killing many thousands of people, destroying buildings and affecting the lives of millions.

 

In The Salvation Army today we think especially of our fellow Salvationists in Haiti. We have been there since 1950 and apart from our corps and corps-related activities, we have many social projects most in the capital city Port-au-Prince. It is this part of Haiti that was worst hit.

 

Our main compound in Port-au-Prince includes a home for more than 50 children, a school with a daily attendance of 1,500 children, a medical clinic caring for 150 to 200 people every day and a church that on any typical Sunday welcomes nearly 1,000 people. The facility is in an area known as St. Martin which is home to predominantly poor people and it is less than 10 minutes from the National Palace, which was destroyed by the earthquake.  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.  

 

Our second compound in the capital, which includes Divisional Headquarters, was only slightly damaged and is being used an emergency operations centre. The Salvation Army Hospital around 75 miles west of Port-au-Prince reports some minor damage, but no injuries.

 

Local Salvationists, officers and volunteers responded immediately after the earthquake, even though many were badly affected themselves. The international Salvation Army is, of course, responding to help our friends in the Caribbean Territory. International Headquarters is co-ordinating our response. Much of the initial aid is coming from the nearby USA territories and as always in these circumstances, The Salvation Army is working with other government and international agencies to ensure help gets to the people who need it most and quickly.

 

The UK and Republic of Ireland Territory has already donated a preliminary £50,000 to supportemergency and rebuilding work, and personnel trained in logistics and emergency planning are being deployed from IHQ and the UK to assist in the international response. Apart from the immediate needs – food, shelter, clean water, and care for the injured and bereaved – there are long-term problems ahead for Haiti and support will need to be on-going as people rebuild their lives and homes and come to terms with both their personal and national loss.  Haiti is historically a very poor country but it has been making progress in recent years. This recent earthquake will seriously hinder those developments.

 

Our own Territorial Leaders, Commissioners John and Betty Matear, who until 2006 were the leaders of The Salvation Army in the Caribbean Territory, urge people to pray and support the inhabitants of Haiti. The Territorial Commander writes:

 

 “Haiti is already an extremely impoverished nation and this disaster leaves every individual there exposed and vulnerable. Our hearts go out to all those affected and we just want to help. We pray that people will reach out and support in whichever way they can.”

 

Please join us in prayer today for the people of Haiti who have lost so much. Pray for the local response, especially our fellow Salvationists who are reaching out even though many of them have also lost family, friends, homes and possessions. Please pray for the international response, and particularly the international Salvation Army efforts in this regard.”

If you are able to make a donation, please go on to The Salvation Army’s UK website. At this crucial stage, monetary donations are the best way to provide aide to the victims. Emergency supplies and clothing will be obtained in countries closer to Haiti, to ensure that adequate supplies quickly reach those in need.

 

God bless you.

 

Colonel Brian Peddle