PRESS RELEASE
The Salvation Army Serving in Haiti
Amid Damage to its Own Facilities
January 13, 2010 – The Salvation Army is mobilizing resources and personnel to assist with international relief efforts in Haiti following a major earthquake Tuesday that rocked the capital city of Port au Prince and damaged much of the country’s infrastructure, housing and commercial buildings – including several Salvation Army facilities.
The Salvation Army World Services Office in Alexandria, Va., has committed $50,000 to earthquake relief in Haiti and is prepared to commit more financial resources, as well as food, water and other emergency supplies, to assist in the recovery. The office is also preparing to send more than 44,000 pounds of pre-packaged emergency rations to the country, along with emergency disaster teams.
Meanwhile, Salvation Army officials in Haiti are dealing with damage suffered at both of the organization’s two major facilities in Port au Prince. One of the facilities provides 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 welcomes 1,000 people every Sunday. The children’s home, clinic and church were badly damaged, in addition to several small buildings on site that collapsed completely. No injuries were reported, according to Salvation Army staff in Port au Prince.
The other facility, which houses Salvation Army administrative offices, suffered slight damage and is being used as an emergency operations center.
Click here to view photos of the facilities. The photos were shot by Salvation Army Northern Division IT Director David Scharnhorst, who spent a week at the facilities during a mission trip in December 2008.
Click here to read about the devastation seen in Port au Prince by Bob Poff, director of The Salvation Army’s Disaster Services program in Haiti.
The Salvation Army has served in Haiti since 1950 and currently operates nearly 50 schools throughout the country, in addition to clinics, hospitals, feeding programs and churches. Click here to learn about The Salvation’s efforts to combat child slavery in Haiti. Learn aebout The Salvation Army’s fight against human trafficking in Haiti and worldwide.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with the people of Haiti and our Salvation Army officers and employees throughout the country,” said Lt. Col. Dan Starrett, World Services Office director.
The Salvation Army serves in more than 100 countries and provides both immediate emergency assistance and long-term recovery help in the event of any disaster. Funds for The Salvation Army’s Emergency Disaster Services come from corporate and private donations given specifically for disaster relief. To volunteer with The Salvation Army or to make a credit card donation, call 651-746-3400 or 1-800-SAL-ARMY. Checks made out to The Salvation Army may be sent to 2445 Prior Ave., Roseville, MN 55113. Click below to make an online donation.
