PRESS RELEASE
Salvation Army Relief Teams in Japan
Providing Vital Assistance
March 16, 2011 – Three Salvation Army relief teams in Japan are providing vital assistance to people affected by the country's earthquake, the resulting tsunami and ongoing problems at a nuclear power station. The Japanese Government has recognized the Army's work and has given the organization's teams permission to enter the disaster area and use access roads that are closed off to the public.
The first of three teams went to Sendai, where about 1,000 meals were served to evacuees. Hot meals and drinks were prepared in The Salvation Army's mobile kitchen and given out at The Salvation Army worship and service center in Sendai.
The second team went to a relief office in the Mito area and unloaded bottles of water, food, blankets, diapers and tissue boxes for distribution to evacuees.
The third team headed to an area where people had been evacuated from the vicinity around the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power station, but snow and shortage of gas meant they had to divert to other areas to support evacuees.
Offers of support are pouring in from around the world. Two experienced disaster relief workers have flown to Tokyo from The Salvation Army International Headquarters in London to assist their Japanese colleagues. The BBC reports that volunteers from a British group that failed to obtain clearance to work in the affected areas donated their food and medical supplies to The Salvation Army working in the country.
The Salvation Army's Korea Territory has arranged for the K-Water Corporation to provide 100,000 bottles of water to be sent to Japan – 30,000 bottles by the end of the week, followed by the rest within a short time – and the Korea Disaster Relief Association will be sending 5,000 first-aid kits. Salvationists in Korea are holding a month of prayer for the people of Japan.
In a touching show of solidarity 1,500 young Salvationists in Haiti – who themselves have recent experience of a devastating earthquake – made prayer for Japan a focus of their rally in Fond-des-Nègres.
How to Give
One hundred percent of your donation will be used for Salvation Army relief efforts in Japan.
If you would like to provide food, water and emotional care for survivors:
• Donate online. Be sure to designate your donation “Japan.”
• Call 1-800-SAL-ARMY. Be sure to designate your donation “Japan.”
• Make a $10 donation by texting the word Japan to 80888. The donation will be added to your cell phone bill. Make sure to respond YES to the return message in order for the donation to be completed.
• Checks designated “Japan” can be mailed to The Salvation Army, 2445 Prior Ave. N., Roseville, MN 55313.
