PRESS RELEASE
Delivery Giants Lend Expertise to Salvation Army Critical Food Delivery
FedEx, UPS, DHL come to aid
February 16, 2010 – An extraordinary earthquake requires an extraordinary response-a response that The Salvation Army has been able to mount due, in no small measure, to the collaborative efforts of Federal Express, UPS, and DHL. In fact, within the first month of this disaster, The Salvation Army delivered 558,000 pounds of relief supplies for the suffering people of Haiti.
"The logistical precision of this operation is amazing," remarked Major George Polarek, Assistant Director of The Salvation Army's World Services Office. "From point of origin to point of delivery, we have depended on the generous support and expertise of these transportation giants." To date, among other items, 2.6 million meals, nearly 3,000 tents, and 8,710 pounds of medical supplies were delivered to Haiti.
"Fed Ex filled a critical logistical gap in our delivery of goods to our launching point in Miami," according to Bob Myers, Logistics Chief for the Haiti Incident Command Team. "We could not get food to Miami fast enough. It was taking 3 days, which was unacceptable in light of the circumstances. Through Fed Ex's generous donation of their Custom Critical system, food was delivered to Miami, from anywhere in the country, in less than 36 hours." The expediency of this delivery is due to the use of two drivers in one truck driving nonstop.
Myers added, "Without the use of Fed Ex's Custom Critical, we would not have been able to ship over one million meals to Haiti within the first ten days. Their generosity directly saved lives."
From Miami, UPS flew relief supplies into Port-au-Prince. When they could not fly into Port-au-Prince, they flew into Santa Domingo, Dominican Republic, and then trucked the supplies over the mountains for distribution in Haiti. UPS' ensured that The Salvation Army was able to keep much needed supplies moving into Haiti.
DHL provided valuable storage space at the Port-au-Prince Airport. In addition, when there was no fuel available for sale, DHL provided free fuel for The Salvation Army's delivery vehicles. Without this support, relief supplies would not have gotten to the devastated areas.
Polarek explained, "We are keenly aware that our relief efforts are only possible through partners such as Fed Ex, UPS and DHL. They enable us to be the hands of Christ to suffering people."
The Salvation Army responded immediately to the earthquake in Haiti, with local Salvationists being quickly joined by international personnel. The Salvation Army has assumed responsibility for the care of nearly 20,000 people living in the temporary camp near its compound in Port-au-Prince. In addition, service sites are located in Petit Goave and Jacmel and distribution sites are in Croix-des-Bouquets (6 mi east of PAP) and Balan (18 mi east of PAP). Its medical clinic continues to treat more than 250 people a day on-site, with several transfers daily to the hospital.
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
If you would like to make a financial contribution to The Salvation Army’s ongoing relief efforts in Haiti, you can donate through:
•Online Credit Card Contributions or PayPal
• Text ‘HAITI’ to 52000
•Call 1-800-SAL-ARMY
•Mail a check to
The Salvation Army
2445 Prior AVE N
Roseville, MN 55313
*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. Click below to make an online donation.
