PRESS RELEASE

1/14 Update: Disaster Relief Efforts in Haiti

January 14, 2010 –This morning Salvation Army officers working in Port-Au-Prince reported that approximately 50 bodies were dropped off in front of The Salvation Army office.  There is an overwhelming need for food, water, and medical assistance. The Salvation Army is mobilizing personnel and resources to send to Haiti in response to the need with the help of your generous donations.

This includes 44,000 lbs of emergency rations, packaged and ready to move from the Midwest.

  • 285,120 meals

  • 20 pallets, each box is 33 lbs, 66 boxes per pallet,

  • Each box has rice, soy and vitamins, and is plastic wrapped for disaster

The Salvation Army is working with other agencies to identify appropriate air transportation to move the already-packaged food as quickly as possible.

  • The first Salvation Army assessment team is awaiting passage in the Turks and Caicos Islands as air space into Haiti is currently limited to military transport. This team will support personnel already on-the-ground in Haiti, where The Salvation Army has had a presence since the 1950s.

  • As with all such relief efforts, The Salvation Army’s initial focus, in addition to the safety and security of officers, staff and volunteers in Haiti, 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 a more personal note, Salvation Army Office Major Tom Louden passed on an encouraging account of how he and his team were able to support troubled Haitians even though their flight was delayed from getting into Haiti.

Their plane landed in the Turks and Caicos Islands Wednesday to refuel when the party was told they could not fly to Haiti due to the block on military planes.  They instead would have to spend the night in a hotel on the Islands.

While they were waiting overnight, disappointed about the delay, they decided to go eat at a local restaurant.  They say down and made small talk with the waitress, telling her their situation and that they would be continuing on to Haiti in the morning.

The waitress then told Major Louden and the group that the cooks in the restaurant were all from Haiti, and they were deeply worried about their family members.  They had not heard from them at all and had no idea if they were dead or alive.  Some of the cooks were so overwhelmed with worry for their loved ones that they had not been to sleep since the earthquake happened.

When the waitress went to the kitchen and told the cooks about her dinner patrons, the chefs came out and surrounded the table, talking with The Salvation Army team about their families and crying.  The team embraced the workers as they wept and ministered and prayed with them there in the restaurant.

The cooks gave The Salvation Army team a list of names of their family members to look for while they are in Haiti and a phone number to call if they find any of them alive. Encouraged by the fortuitous meeting, Major Tom described the encounter as very emotional and moving.

What an amazing story about how The Salvation Army team was able to serve Haitians even before landing in the country. Here is some more background on our organization’s presence in Haiti:

The Salvation Army has had a presence in Haiti since 1950. Its personnel were affected by the earthquake and are now working to assist people 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.

  • One Salvation Army compound near Port Au Prince experienced severe damage, including collapsed buildings; No one was injured in the collapse.

  • The Salvation Army in Haiti is currently assessing damage and need throughout the country.

  • Once damage and needs are assessed – and supplies arrive – The Salvation Army hopes to begin distribution on a small scale of items including food, water and tents.

  • All photos, video and other material on these pages are free for public and media distribution.

o   The Salvation Army has committed more than $850,000 to support relief efforts in Haiti.
o   As of Thursday morning, The Salvation Army had raised more than $762,000 in online donations and through 1800-SAL-ARMY.

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.

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