| The Salvation Army Responds to Chilean Earthquake |
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Local Salvation Army Forces Mobilized Immediately
Wauwatosa, WI (March 01, 2010) - Following a devastating 8.8 magnitude earthquake in Chile during the early hours of Saturday morning (27 February), Salvation Army Emergency Services were immediately mobilized to provide support and comfort. International financial assistance is already on the way. The Salvation Army has had a presence in Chile since 1909 and today offers social services including hospitals, schools for impoverished children and adult rehabilitation.
The immediate response is to provide food, water, first aid kits, emergency packets, blankets, candles and other urgently required supplies. A recently arrived mobile canteen (a donation From The Salvation Army in the United States) is one of the key relief vehicles.
The earthquake epicenter was approximately 90 miles northwest of the city of Concepción in Southern Chile. This is approximately 350 miles from the capital of Santiago. Nevertheless, according to officials on the ground, the quake was of a 7.0 magnitude in the Santiago metropolitan region. People have flocked to the streets as numerous aftershocks continue to pummel the country, severely affecting older buildings in the more historical areas of the larger cities.
Water, gas and electricity has been cut off in affected areas and will stay disconnected until emergency crews can assess the damage and prioritize immediate needs.
Donors can visit www.salvationarmyusa.orgto make a donation to support ongoing relief efforts in Chile, or text the word “chile” to 52000 to make a one-time $10 donation billed to their cell phone account.
 Photo Caption: The Salvation Army corps officer of Quinta Normal area of Santiago is pictured, with one of the Salvationists who attend his corps (church), in the middle of some of the devastation from the earthquake in Chile.
# # # The Salvation Army, an evangelical part of the universal Christian church, has been supporting those in need in His name without discrimination since 1865. Nearly 33 million Americans receive assistance from The Salvation Army each year through the broadest array of social services that range from providing food for the hungry, relief for disaster victims, assistance for the disabled, outreach to the elderly and ill, clothing and shelter to the homeless and opportunities for underprivileged children. About 84 cents of every dollar raised is used to support those services in nearly 9,000 communities nationwide. For more information, go to http://www.SAmilwaukee.org.
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