Salvation Army moves into second phase of quake relief

The Salvation Army is putting a fresh team into Christchurch to assess and respond to the mid-term need of residents affected by Saturday’s earthquake.

While Salvation Army Emergency Services staff and volunteers continue to provide emergency aid and care at the city’s welfare centres and Salvation Army centres, an assessment team is now in the city ascertaining the needs of those most severely affected by the quake. It is also arranging storage for food and goods donated by companies.

With the damage and disruption caused to many Christchurch businesses, The Salvation Army expects a large number of workers won’t have an income from this week and their families will need support, Salvation Army spokesman Major Robbie Ross says.

“Many of the people we are seeing who have had to escape their homes are traumatised and fearful,” Major Ross says. “To compound the emotional shock, many families will have their incomes cut-off or significantly reduced and this is a major social concern.”

New Zealand companies and banks have provided significant quantities of food and household items and funds. In setting out the logistics and protocols around the provision of aid, The Salvation Army in New Zealand is borrowing from the experience of the Australian Salvation Army during the 2009 bushfires.

Issued on the Authority of Commissioner Donald Bell (Territorial Commander)
The Salvation Army, New Zealand Fiji & Tonga Territory

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