In the midst of death and destruction, The Salvation Army is a place of life and new birth. The Army’s medical personnel provided the initial triage to Evan Ocinia, the latest survivor miraculously pulled from the rubble. The Army stabilized him and transported him to the University of Miami’s hospital near the Port-au-Prince airport. In addition, to being a place where survivors can find hope, The Army is a place where babies can begin their new life. Already, eight babies have been delivered at The Army’s clinic. Truly, it is an honor to be His hands to a suffering community. Relief ministries include the following:

-In an effort to combat human trafficking, Salvation Army food rations are printed with a warning, written in both English and Creole, against such actions. Recipients are instructed to beware of people who are offering jobs in foreign countries and those who are offering money, food, shelter or drugs in exchange for sex. In addition, they are advised to know where their children are and who they are with. If they are threatened or are being controlled, they are instructed to seek a Salvation Army Comfort Center.

-Medical personnel have served 16,110 individuals.

-The medical clinic is participating in the Ministry of Health’s targeted vaccination program. The vaccines include diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis for children under seven, and diphtheria and tetanus for everyone over age eight. The overall target for the campaign is to reach around 530,000 children under seven, including approximately 250,000 children in settlements and 280,000 outside settlements.

-Eight babies have been delivered at the clinic since the earthquake.
Several transfers are made daily to the University of Miami Hospital (adjacent to the Port-au-Prince airport.)

-Over the next two weeks, the medical team will seek to ‘normalize’ the general medicine operation, while keeping a tight focus on the surgical care of wounds sustained in the earthquake (ongoing, not new wounds).

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:
-Water - Safe drinking water
-Nutrition - Food
-Medical Assistance - Medical supplies and treatment
-Shelter
-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

Monetary donations and prayer are the two most critical needs as supplies and personnel are mobilized
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.givesalvationarmy.org
1-800-SAL-ARMY
The Salvation Army
Disaster Relief Fund
3612 Cuming Street
Omaha, NE 68131
*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.

The Salvation Army has had a presence in Haiti since 1950 and its personnel who were affected by the earthquake are now working to assist others in need
The Salvation Army operates schools, clinics, hospital, feeding programs, children's homes and church-related activities through some 60 Corps community centers across the country.

For more information about The Salvation Army’s activity responding to the disaster in Haiti, please visit http://www.salvationarmyhaiti.org/ or their Facebook pages at http://bit.ly/8AAgWs , http://bit.ly/6T7KHa and http://bit.ly/6e9aUs.

Bob Poff, the Director of Disaster Services for The Salvation Army in Haiti, shares his story about the earthquake here: http://bit.ly/721Jk2.
All photos, video and other material on these pages are free for public and media distribution.

Haiti Disaster Statistics as of February 6, 2010
FOOD                                                            TOTAL
Numama Rice delivered                     2,041,400 meals
MEARS  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 
8x8 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

About The Salvation Army:
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 30 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 82 cents of every dollar raised is used to support those services in nearly 5,000 communities nationwide. For more information, go to www.salvationarmyusa.org. To donate, please call 1-800-SAL-ARMY or text “HAITI” to 52000.

Note:  At this time, there are no plans to send personnel from The Salvation Army Western Division, based in Omaha, Nebraska.  The Western Division includes Nebraska, South Dakota and Western Iowa.