The Salvation Army Responds to Earthquake in Haiti

Posted by Ian McKenzie

Written on January 14, 2010

I’ve mentioned before, I am employed by The Salvation Army. Over the past couple of days, our attention has been caught by the earthquake disaster in Haiti. The Salvation Army is involved in permanent work in Haiti. Currently, services offered include 3 medical facilities, social service institutions and dozens of schools serving more than 10,000 children.

One of the first reports out of Haiti after the earthquake struck came from Bob Poff, Director of Disaster Services for The Salvation Army in Haiti.

When the earthquake struck, I was driving down the mountain from Petionville. Our truck was being tossed to and fro like a toy, and when it stopped, I looked out the windows to see buildings “pancaking” down, like I have never witnessed before. Traffic, of course, came to a stand-still, while thousands of people poured out into the streets, crying, carrying bloody bodies, looking for anyone who could help them.

We piled as many bodies into the back of our truck, and took them down the hill with us, hoping to find medical attention. All of them were older, scared, bleeding, and terrified. It took about 2 hours to go less than 1 mile. Traffic was horrible, devastation was everywhere, and suffering humanity was front and center. When we could drive no further, we left the truck parked on the side of the street, and walked the remaining 2 miles to get back to the Salvation Army compound. What I found was very sad! All of the security walls were down. The Children’s Home itself seems pretty intact, but our home, which is attached, is destroyed. Unlivable. The walls and ceiling are still standing – but so badly compromised that I wouldn’t even think of trying to stay there. All of the children, and hundreds of neighbors, are sleeping in our playground area tonight.

Occasionally, there is another tremor – another reminder that we are not yet finished with this calamity. And when it comes, all of the people cry out and the children are terrified. As I am sitting outside now (Haiti has satellite internet), with most people trying to get a little sleep, I can hear the moans and cries of the neighbors. One of our staff went to a home in the neighborhood, to try to be of assistance to the woman who lived there. But she was too late. The scene will be repeated over and over again. Tomorrow, we will begin the process of assessing damage, learning about casualties, and preparing for the future.

God bless Haiti.

The Salvation Army is mobilizing resources to respond to the destructive earthquake that struck the Caribbean island of Haiti on Tuesday. The country is paralyzed and many are without power, clean water, and food after the quake all but destroyed the city of Port au Prince.

Here in Canada The Salvation Army is sending an immediate $100,000 USD and a fundraising campaign has begun to support the humanitarian response.

You can support the work of The Salvation Army in Haiti now by donating online (CAD) through the secure donation page on the Canadian Salvation Army web site or donating in U.S dollars through the International Salvation Army site.

Haiti earthquake: hundreds of thousands feared dead (telegraph.co.uk)
Hundreds feared dead in Haiti earthquake (newstatesman.com)
Haiti Earthquake: Hundreds Feared Dead (news.sky.com)
Haiti earthquake — what we’re hearing (cnn.com)
Haiti earthquake: in pictures (newstatesman.com)
Magnitude 7 quake strikes Haiti (msnbc.msn.com)
10 Places to Contribute to Haiti Disaster Relief (businesspundit.com)

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