Healing, Wholeness, and Hope Update

Wauwatosa (March 01, 2010) - Six weeks after the earthquake, The Salvation Army continues to serve thousands of disaster survivors on-the-ground in Port Au Prince and elsewhere. The Salvation Army is working closely with multiple corporate partners and non-governmental organizations to provide food, water, medicine, shelter, and other immediate aid.  While still meeting immediate needs, the service is being to move from emergency to sustainable recovery efforts.  These solutions include: repair/re-establish local water sources; provide water filtration capacity; provide assistance to local population to rebuild permanent, more earthquake resistant housing; and develop strategic plans for long term Salvation Army Program and Facility Reconstruction.

Relief ministries include the following:
·        The stadium generator at the Army’s 20,000 person camp in Port-au-Prince has been repaired.  This repair will mean that the lights will be operational during key times of the evening, enhancing security and living conditions.  In addition, a security team, equipped with flashlights and high visibility vests, conducts day and night patrols.
·        Medical personnel have served 18,504 individuals.

THE SALVATION ARMY PRESENCE IN HAITI (PRE-EMERGENCY)

The Salvation Army has been officially working in Haiti since 1950.  Our present assets in the country include:
·        63 Commissioned Salvation Army Officers
·        161 Employees
·        39 Corps and 23 Outposts (Worship and Community Centers)
·        5 Social Institutions (Clinics, Children’s Homes)
·        46 Schools with 443 Teachers

INITIAL EMERGENCY PRIORITIES

The Salvation Army’s initial Emergency Assessment has confirmed the following priorities, in order of immediate importance:
1.        Water - Safe drinking water
2.        Nutrition - Food
3.        Medical Assistance - Medical supplies and treatment
4.        Shelter
5.        Trauma, grief, and spiritual counseling

SHORT TERM RECOVERY

Once the initial needs have been met, the next step will be to provide sustainable solutions to make necessities available to the affect population:
·        Repair/re-establish local water sources
·        Provide water filtration capacity
·        Provide assistance to local population to rebuild permanent, more earthquake resistant housing
·        Develop strategic plans for long term Salvation Army Program and Facility Reconstruction

INTO THE FUTURE

The Salvation Army was active in Haiti before the earthquake.  We will rebuild our damaged faculties, while continuing our already well established programs.  We are committed to standing by the Haitian people as they move into the future.]
·        Medical clinics
·        Education
·        Long Term Relief and Reconstruction
·        Community Development Projects / Income generation / Child Nutrition / HIV/AIDS Advocacy

Haiti Disaster Statistics as of February 19, 2010