05 October 2016

October 05, 2016

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Charlotte, N.C. (October 5, 2016)—The track of Hurricane Matthew is still uncertain, but The Salvation Army of the Carolinas is preparing for service, and, in some areas of South Carolina, already responding at EOC operations and wherever local emergency management is requesting mass feeding and hydration support. Canteens from Greenville, S.C., Charlotte, N.C., and Winston-Salem, N.C.  are in the field; other canteens in the NSC division are ready to respond as soon as called.

Today, The Salvation Army of Charleston began meal service for bus drivers at the North Charleston Coliseum, which is serving as the point of embarkation for evacuees along the South Carolina coast. School busses arrived at the coliseum, ready to take people inland. In a three hour period, The Salvation Army served 623 meals and gave away two pallets of water to the bus drivers.

“The Salvation Army was blessed today to serve a meal to the bus drivers who are helping evacuate people along the South Carolina coast,” said Major Tom Richmond, corps officer for The Salvation Army of Charleston. “We are thankful for our brothers and sisters who are working on behalf of those are the most vulnerable right now.”

South Carolina began mandatory evacuation of residents along the lower South Carolina coast on October 5; the upper part of the coast will begin evacuating residents on October 6. 

Other points of service in South Carolina are:

• Georgetown, S.C. – EOC
• Orangeburg, S.C. – EOC
• Charleston, S.C. – EOC

In the days ahead, The Salvation Army all over the Carolinas remains ready to respond to the immediate needs of the community as requested and in coordination with local and state emergency management. We pray for those in the Caribbean who were impacted by this storm and for those who are still in the path of the hurricane.

The Salvation Army encourages all residents of North and South Carolina to continue to monitor State sources for the latest information online at www.scemd.org and www.readync.org. For the latest emergency disaster services news from The Salvation Army, follow the social feed on Twitter at @salarmyeds or visit disaster.salvationarmyusa.org.

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News from Haiti

London (October 5, 2016) – The Salvation Army in Haiti is assessing the damage caused by Hurricane Matthew and putting in place plans to help some of the thousands of people who have been forced from their homes. Winds of 145 miles per hour – accompanied by heavy rain and storm surges – have brought devastation across much of the country.

Major John Eddy Bundu, Projects Officer for The Salvation Army's Haiti Division, reports that the south and south-east of Haiti have been particularly badly hit. In Fonds-des-Negres, a Salvation Army school is among several buildings to have lost their roofs. The local corps (church) was damaged by a falling tree and the area has suffered significant flooding, with the mayor asking for food support.

In Aquin, in the south, a Salvation Army school which was sheltering people whose homes were at risk also lost its roof to the wind. The people are now being evacuated to another safe place by the mayor, who has requested the Army's ongoing assistance. Bags of charcoal have been provided while more provisions are being sought.

In the coastal community of Saint-Marc, The Salvation Army is currently hosting about 100 people, and more are being cared for in La Fosse, where flooding has also forced people from their homes.

At present, only two people are known to have been killed in the disaster (although this number is likely to rise), but one of those was the uncle of divisional youth secretary Captain Jean Volant, who died when a large tree fell on his house in Petit-Gove. Falling trees also caused damage to the officers' quarters in the town, though without causing injury.

Major Bundu says that the final situation is far from clear, with mobile and landline phone connections down across the south of the country.

As a new day begins in Haiti, the true extent of the devastation will become clearer. For now, the greatest need is for funding to provide food and drink to people in temporary shelter. Salvation Army officers and staff are ready to provide the help that is most needed, with many feeling better able to cope after attending a disaster preparedness course with input by International Emergency Services only four weeks ago. Commissioner Gerrit Marseille (Territorial Commander, Caribbean Territory) says that the response will be more efficient because of the 'good work' done on the course.

Concluding his initial report, Major Bundu writes: 'Thanks so much for your prayer support and your care for the Haitian people and all that reside in Haiti.

To support The Salvation Army's relief efforts in the Carribbean, please consider making a financial gift at salar.my/Matthew