Welcome Home From Haiti

For four weeks Jerry Larsen and Capt. Geff Crowell lived and worked amongst a nation of desperate, hungry, injured and dead. They were part of an international team originally sent to Haiti on a two-week rotation to assist with logistics and food/water distribution. Those two weeks turned into four when it became apparent that their skills were urgently needed for that additional time. It meant being  separated from their spouses, children and grandchildren for longer than had been anticipated. “It was the longest we’ve ever been apart”, said Capt. Crowell. How timely then, that flight arrangements called for the men to return home to their families on Valentine’s Day!  When the men arrived this afternoon at Indpls. International Airport, they were met with flowers, a handmade banner and plenty of hugs and smiles.

While glad to be home and excited to see their loved ones, Capt. Crowell reflected, “There is still lots of work to be done.” Over two million meals have been distributed by The Salvation Army in Haiti, as well as 500,000 gallons of water, tents and other aid. “Having been in Haiti for 60 years and having a footprint there has allowed the Army to make a lot of progress post- earthquake” added Capt. Crowell. “It felt a lot calmer than when we arrived. The people are starting to get back to normal. They’re in survival mode.”

 

Both Capt. Crowell, and EDS Director Jerry Larsen have served in other worldwide disasters. In comparison to those previous experiences, Larsen says, “I’ve never seen anything like it. It’s the worst I’ve ever seen. They’re going to be dealing with it for a long time.”

Exhausted from what was certainly an emotionally and physically draining time in Haiti, both men described their time with the people with obvious compassion. When asked about his assessment of the spirit of the people in Haiti, Larsen teared up as he stated, “The resilience of the people was amazing…just amazing.”

Local Disaster Service responders will continue to be deployed to Haiti during the recovery period. This week, Lt. Jonathon Fitzgerald from the Bloomington corps left for Port au Prince on a 30-day deployment. The Salvation Army continues to meet needs in Haiti not only with meals and water, but also by treating an average of 300 patients a day at their clinic, which is being staffed by an international team of doctors and nurses.  At the Salvation Army clinic, staff and volunteers were able to witness the first baby being born after the earthquake, and most recently provided the initial treatment for the man who survived 28 days buried in the rubble.

A comprehensive collection of photos of  The Salvation Army’s relief efforts in Haiti can be viewed at http://www.flickr.com/photos/salvationarmyindiana/. For further information on The Salvation Army’s work in Haiti visit salvationarmyusa.org.

American Legion aids in Haiti cause

The Salvation Army received $2,000 from the American Legion on Feb. 10, 2010 to help in the relief efforts in Haiti. Four American Legion members came to present the funds.

American Legion Commander Dan Gates from the Broad Ripple post 3 said that they were donating to The Salvation Army “because of their reputation.”

Gates remembers The Salvation Army helping soldiers while serving in Burma.

Rees Morgan, an American Legion member, talked about why they chose The Salvation Army as the organization to receive their funds. “One of the main reasons is because you’re dependable,” he told Salvation Army Divisional Commander Richard Amick.

The American Legion representatives presented the check to Major Amick who expressed great appreciation for the needed funds. “We will not let you down,” Amick said upon receiving the check.

Bridge Center raises money for Haiti

The Indianapolis Bridge Center charged an extra dollar per game for members to play during the week of January 24 through 30, and not because they were looking for a profit. Every extra dollar was donated to The Salvation Army’s relief effort for Haiti. The funds, equaling $815, raised in this week will go directly to Haiti to help bring much needed assistance to the earthquake victims.

Board of Directors Ron Hobbs thought of the idea to raise money for Haiti and it was quickly agreed upon by members. “Everyone wanted to do something [for the Haiti relief],” says club manager Sharon Austin.

The Indianapolis Bridge Center has at least one game going on every day and the members play for points, not money. The points are for recognition and everyone who played the week of the fundraiser earned extra points for playing.

Around 600 people participated in the fundraiser, some donating more than just the extra dollar required to play.

The Indianapolis Bridge Center often has charitable events such as this one to help in different causes. “Feel free to call on us in times of need,” says Austin.

The Salvation Army in Haiti: Bringing Wholeness, Healing and Hope

Update 2/06/10 Source: Captain Tawny Cowen-Zanders, SAWSO Haiti Incident Command Team, Public Information Officer

The Salvation Army continues to be a beacon of hope for individuals and families whose lives were devastated by the earthquake. While the Haiti Relief Team maintains support and provides assistance for 20,000 individuals in an area adjacent to their compound in Port-au-Prince, they have reached out to other areas of the country – diligently meeting needs at the point of need at the time of need. There has been a steady, marked improvement in the overall situation in the four weeks since the earthquake. Our own operation has been refined with improved local logistics, communication, accommodation. In addition, better coordination of air traffic means transportation for freight is improved, as well. Relief ministries include the following:
· The Salvation Army Relief Team has established service compounds in three communities – Port-au-Prince, Petit Goave (Satellite), and Jacmel (Satellite). In addition, services are provided to the communities of Croix-des-Bouquets (6 mi east of PAP) and Balan (18 mi east of PAP).
· After being alerted by personnel from the Canadian Military, The Army’s Jacmel Assessment Team investigated Decouze, which is a rural site between Port-au-Prince and Jacmel. The team discovered 500 families who had been completely without outside help since the earthquake. The community was clearly in shock but grateful that, finally, “someone from a foreign land had noticed their plight.” A determination of future service will be made in the coming days.
· The Salvation Army is being recognized internationally as an expert in effectively and efficiently handling this crisis. WORLD Magazine published an article on February 2nd highlighting this phenomenon. Excerpts include the following: “The UN estimates that as many as 1 million people are homeless, and UN emergency coordinator John Holmes acknowledged that aid delivery remains painfully slow. But in other parts of town, private aid groups are quietly getting work done…[The Army distributed] an estimated 552,000 meals [in] less than four hours…While the UN grapples with the maddening conditions of delivering aid in Haiti, groups like The Salvation Army are proving a point: Some of the best aid is coming from the groups with long standing connections on the ground…Despite the damage, within days Salvation Army staffers formed a plan to be the lead group providing care for a crowd nearing 20,000 people near their compound. At a UN meeting last Monday, The Salvation Army was one of just five non-governmental organizations with a concrete plan for managing a camp.”

· In order to increase efficiency, a UPS Trackpad Project is being developed. The Trackpads, provided by UPS, are laptop/handheld scanner/laminated ID cards with barcodes, which will monitor which families receive food at the Point-au-Prince distribution point. This project is expected to begin within the coming weeks.
· The Salvation Army distributed food, blankets, kitchen sets, plastic sheeting, and hygiene kits to 600 families from the Jacmel compound.
· In collaboration with World Concern, The Salvation Army distributed hygiene kits at the Port-au-Prince distribution point.
· Well over 200 people being treated each day.

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/reestablish 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 6, 2010
FOOD TOTAL
Numama Rice delivered 2,041,400 meals
MEALS Ready Eat delivered 6,900 meals
Bottled Water 20oz delivered 23,328 servings
Jugs of Water delivered 6,720 gallons
Water Filtration Systems 30,000 gallons/day
Total Water Supplied 500,000 gallons
SHELTER
8×8 Tents delivered 2,900 tents
Cots delivered 480 cots
MEDICAL
Patients Served 16,110 individuals
MASH Tent delivered 1 tent
Medical Supplies delivered 8,710 lbs
Hygiene Kits delivered 1,500 kits
MISC
Rubbermaid Coolers delivered 480 coolers
Duffel Bags delivered 310 bags
Canvas Tote Bags delivered 10,000 bags
SHIPMENTS
Cargo Flights 10 flights
Cargo Items 556,000 lbs

Monetary donations and prayer are the two most critical needs as supplies and personnel are mobilized
· The Salvation Army had raised more than $9 million for relief efforts.
· Donors can text the word HAITI to 52000 to donate $10 to The Salvation Army’s relief efforts via their phone bill. It is important for donors to confirm their donation with the word, “yes.”
· Monetary donations can also be made through:
· www.salvationarmyusa.org and via PayPal
· 1-800-SAL-ARMY
· The Salvation Army World Service Office
International Disaster Relief Fund
PO Box 630728
Baltimore, MD 21263-0728
*Please note that your donation is for Haiti Earthquake relief*
· Even before donations are processed, The Salvation Army is committing and spending money on relief efforts in Haiti. Donations are critical now and also help ensure that the long-term needs of the Haitian people are met.

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