The Salvation Army Haiti Serving Hurricane-affected Communities
Immediate relief efforts taking place while long-term response is planned
Alexandria, VA (October 18, 2016) – The Salvation Army in Haiti is meeting immediate needs of individuals in 30 communities affected by Hurricane Matthew with food, water, and shelter. Food distributions are taking place in Croix-des-Bouquets, Luly, Petit Goâve, St Louis du Sud, Aquin, Fonds-des-Negres and La Fosse.
The community of La Fosse, in particular, suffered a large loss of livestock, as well as the destruction of trees, houses, and roofs. An estimated 4,500 inhabitants have been affected by the hurricane. The Salvation Army in La Fosse is currently serving 300 individuals with regular food provisions.
The Salvation Army is focused on meeting immediate needs of these communities while planning a multifaceted, long-term response. Across Haiti, the decimation of the homes, trees, crops and livestock will have long-lasting impact on the livelihoods of much of the population, as well as an increase in food costs at a time when inflation is already high.
Major Mike McKee of The Salvation Army World Service Office (SAWSO) is a part of a four-person team currently assessing long-term response efforts which will potentially include programs for livelihoods restoration; continuing food provisions; ongoing temporary housing; housing reconstruction; and cholera prevention.
Supporting The Salvation Army’s arsenal of service personnel on the ground are Community Action Teams (CAT) of local volunteers, which were formed and trained in each of the 60 communities where The Salvation Army is active following the 2010 earthquake. Funded by American stewardship via SAWSO, this program assembles volunteers responsible for developing projects that address issues such as deforestation, infrastructure, sanitation, education, and basic needs in their own communities. Following Hurricane Matthew, CATs across the affected region have mobilized to assess their situations and meet the needs of their communities. While resources are still greatly needed, the CATs are already responding where they can.
"It is certainly humbling to see the selfless service that continues to be rendered by our Haitian colleagues in The Salvation Army's Community Action Teams. They have been working ever since the hurricane began to support their communities. Our job now is to assist our friends here as they begin to transition their response to the longer-term tasks of recovery and restoration."
Financial support received from American donors, as well as generous contributions from the NFL Foundation, UPS, and M&L Trucking, is ensuring that The Salvation Army and SAWSO will continue providing much needed immediate and long-term care for communities across the affected region.
“During times of disaster, it is crucial for our response teams to provide relief as quickly as possible, and donors and corporate supporters ensure that we have the means to do so,” said Lieutenant Colonel Thomas Bowers, Executive Director of The Salvation Army World Service Office (SAWSO). “Monetary support of this kind not only goes toward providing relief immediately following a disaster, but allows us to serve long after to make sure that communities are rebuilt. Our efforts in Haiti will span the coming months and years.”
Monetary donations are the most critical need for survivors. The Salvation Army has set up a designated fund where 100 percent of gifts go to relief efforts in Haiti.* To give, visit salar.my/Matthew or call 1-800-SAL-ARMY (1-800-725-2769). Check donations to Salvation Army World Service Office (designated “Hurricane Matthew”) can be sent to:
Salvation Army World Service Office
International Relief Fund
P.O. Box 418558
Boston, MA 02241-8558
In-kind donations are not being accepted.
About The Salvation Army World Service Office (SAWSO)
SAWSO is committed to working hand in hand with local communities to help people who face challenges every day in countries around the globe. Created in 1977 as an independent 501(c)(3) to support the ministry of The Salvation Army, SAWSO has been strengthening global communities in need for nearly 38 years. SAWSO supports The Salvation Army’s impressive global footprint in 127 countries, developing long-term community-driven solutions to issues in the areas of Community Health & HIV Prevention, Livelihood Development , anti-human-trafficking, Disaster Relief & Recovery, and Education. To learn more, go to sawso.org.
About The Salvation Army
The Salvation Army, an evangelical part of the universal Christian church established in London in 1865, has been supporting those in need in His name without discrimination for 135 years in the United States. Nearly 30 million Americans receive assistance from The Salvation Army each year through a range of social services: providing food for the hungry, relief for disaster victims, assistance for the disabled, outreach to the elderly and ill, clothing and shelter for the homeless, and opportunities for underprivileged children. For more information, visit SalvationArmyUSA.org.
*Occasionally, conditions in the field may alter relief activities. If this occurs, The Salvation Army will direct funds to our International relief efforts in the region.