An initial Salvation Army assessment team is on the ground in Haiti and en route to the capital city of Port Au Prince, a news release states. The team will liaison with Salvation Army personnel already on site in Haiti,
An initial Salvation Army assessment team is on the ground in Haiti and en route to the capital city of Port Au Prince, a news release states.
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.
It is estimated that as many as 3 million people are affected in Haiti after the devastating earthquake Jan. 12. In some areas, 70 percent of the houses have been damaged, a news release states.
With an estimated 200,000 dead, thousands of survivors have spent nights out in the open. People are camping out at around 40 gathering points throughout the city, too scared to spend the night inside damaged buildings that could collapse at any moment. Thousands remain trapped and the death toll is rising.
The aftermath of the earthquake has posed logistical challenges for all humanitarian organizations who are working around the clock to meet the challenges and ensure aid reaches the survivors.
The Red Cross now has dozens of disaster specialists in Haiti, assessing the damage, addressing urgent needs and establishing the foundation for a long-term recovery operation. These individuals join the 15-person staff the nonprofit already had on the ground and 12 Red Cross teams that arrived from other countries. Among them are engineers, surgeons and family linking specialists. These teams will establish field hospitals, restore water and sanitation systems, distribute supplies and restore family links facilities.
It may be many weeks or even months to understand the full extent of the damage, and the Red Cross’ involvement in the recovery effort is expected to take years. This is not unprecedented for the Red Cross. Five years after the Indian Ocean tsunami, the Red Cross is still helping many communities restore what was lost.
The Salvation Army is 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 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.” Also, monetary donations maybe dropped off at either the Lihu‘e or Hanapepe Corps offices.
Donors can text “Haiti” to 90999 on their cell phone to send a $10 donation to support Red Cross relief efforts in Haiti (donation would be reflected on cell phone bill). An average of 91 cents of every dollar the American Red Cross spends is invested in humanitarian services and programs.
In Hawai‘i, donors can also call in donations to the Hawai‘i Red Cross at 739-8109, go online at www.hawaiiredcross.org or mail donations to American Red Cross, Hawai‘i State Chapter, 4155 Diamond Head Road, Honolulu, HI 96816.
The Lihu‘e Salvation Army will be holding a “Car Wash for Haiti” fundraiser from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday at the Corps’ parking lot. For more information, call Envoy Joy Groenleer at 245-2571. Volunteers are welcome to join.
The Salvation Army policy for donations given to help in disaster relief is that 100 percent of the money goes to the disaster. Nothing is taken out for administration or other expenses.
For more information, visit www.blog.salvationarmyusa.org or www.hawaiiredcross.org.
