neljapäev, jaanuar 13, 2005
Salvation Army Continues Relief and Recovery Efforts in South Asia
The Salvation Army, one of the first to respond to the tsunami disaster in South Asia, is working diligently to help those affected recover from this tragedy. Relief teams are providing daily necessities to residents and ministering to millions recovering from the devastating tsunami.
In India, The Salvation Army has begun to make plans for the reconstruction of homes and villages, including working with the Indian government to re-establish two villages in the Kanyakumari District on the southernmost tip of India. The Salvation Army will be helping to rebuild or relocate houses as well as assist families as they adjust.
In addition, The Salvation Army is working to restore the fishing industry, the main economic source in the coastal regions, by rebuilding fishing boats and replacing fishing nets. Salvation Army representatives have flown to the Andaman Islands to assess needs and find ways to assist people on these remote islands that were hit hard by the tsunami.
In Sri Lanka, The Salvation Army's relief and development work is being coordinated in a town close to Galle, which was destroyed by the tsunami. Caterpillar, Inc., the world's largest manufacturer of earth-moving equipment, has offered to let The Salvation Army use its heavy lifting equipment, already in the area, free of charge.
Salvation Army officers have met with local authorities in the northern tip of Sri Lanka and Jaffna. Due to hostility, many non-government organizations have been unable to help in that area. Thankfully, The Salvation Army has had a presence in that area for a number of years and has been able to meet with residents and authorities to meet needs. The homes of 174 families were completely wiped out by the waves, and other basic supplies have not been able to get into the region. The Salvation Army is sending cooking utensils for 5,000 families and providing shelter for families who have been living in a school that is now needed for the recommencement of classes.
The Salvation Army team in Meulaboh city, in Aceh, Indonesia, is working with the military to aid residents in a community where 80 percent of the buildings were leveled and over half the population killed by the tsunami. The military is supplying transportation and security for The SalvationArmy's 14-member team which is providing medical aid in this area of civil unrest. A clinic has been established at a compound, and in one day, the team gave medical aid to nearly 360 people. With the help of the military, the medical team is visiting refugee camps to provide free medical assistance and medication.
Donations of goods are not being taken at this time. If disaster teams identify particular items that can not be secured closer to the area, a specific appeal for those items will be made. The labor, shipping and storage costs related to providing goods-in-kind is often prohibitive and frequently, procuring those same items as close to the site as possible will give a boost to their economy that will benefit the region tremendously.
In order to continue and expand relief work, The Salvation Army is urgently appealing for funds to support this enormous effort. Monetary donations may be sent to your local Salvation Army, made online at www.1800salarmy.org, or by calling 1-800-SAL-ARMY.
Submitted by Suzanne Henson
Forwarded by Vicky Copicotto
In India, The Salvation Army has begun to make plans for the reconstruction of homes and villages, including working with the Indian government to re-establish two villages in the Kanyakumari District on the southernmost tip of India. The Salvation Army will be helping to rebuild or relocate houses as well as assist families as they adjust.
In addition, The Salvation Army is working to restore the fishing industry, the main economic source in the coastal regions, by rebuilding fishing boats and replacing fishing nets. Salvation Army representatives have flown to the Andaman Islands to assess needs and find ways to assist people on these remote islands that were hit hard by the tsunami.
In Sri Lanka, The Salvation Army's relief and development work is being coordinated in a town close to Galle, which was destroyed by the tsunami. Caterpillar, Inc., the world's largest manufacturer of earth-moving equipment, has offered to let The Salvation Army use its heavy lifting equipment, already in the area, free of charge.
Salvation Army officers have met with local authorities in the northern tip of Sri Lanka and Jaffna. Due to hostility, many non-government organizations have been unable to help in that area. Thankfully, The Salvation Army has had a presence in that area for a number of years and has been able to meet with residents and authorities to meet needs. The homes of 174 families were completely wiped out by the waves, and other basic supplies have not been able to get into the region. The Salvation Army is sending cooking utensils for 5,000 families and providing shelter for families who have been living in a school that is now needed for the recommencement of classes.
The Salvation Army team in Meulaboh city, in Aceh, Indonesia, is working with the military to aid residents in a community where 80 percent of the buildings were leveled and over half the population killed by the tsunami. The military is supplying transportation and security for The SalvationArmy's 14-member team which is providing medical aid in this area of civil unrest. A clinic has been established at a compound, and in one day, the team gave medical aid to nearly 360 people. With the help of the military, the medical team is visiting refugee camps to provide free medical assistance and medication.
Donations of goods are not being taken at this time. If disaster teams identify particular items that can not be secured closer to the area, a specific appeal for those items will be made. The labor, shipping and storage costs related to providing goods-in-kind is often prohibitive and frequently, procuring those same items as close to the site as possible will give a boost to their economy that will benefit the region tremendously.
In order to continue and expand relief work, The Salvation Army is urgently appealing for funds to support this enormous effort. Monetary donations may be sent to your local Salvation Army, made online at www.1800salarmy.org, or by calling 1-800-SAL-ARMY.
Submitted by Suzanne Henson
Forwarded by Vicky Copicotto
