The Salvation Army aids hurricane victims in the Bahamas

Salvation Army teams in the Bahamas responded quickly to the devastation caused by Hurricane Frances, which swept across the islands before moving on to hit south-eastern USA. Winds in excess of 105 miles an hour caused severe damage. The largest island, Grand Bahamas, was worst affected but the hurricane also caused considerable disruption on the smaller islands of Abaco, San Salvador and Mayaguana.

The Government of the Bahamas, which has been seeking funding from international bodies to help with the massive repairs needed to restore electricity, has designated The Salvation Army and the Red Cross as official relief agencies. Although communication is extremely difficult at present, The Salvation Army has already distributed food and clean water to many people stranded in Freeport.

A Salvation Army vehicle has been helping to rescue people stranded when their homes were flattened by the devastating winds and rain. Captain Mike McKee, International Field Operations Officer, says, 'Our hearts go out to the people who are affected by this appalling situation.'

Donations will enable The Salvation Army to broaden its response from the immediate needs of food, water, mattresses and cooking stoves to the longer-term ones of rebuilding damaged communities.

(News of the ongoing response in the USA can be found on the USA Southern Territory's web site, www.uss.salvationarmy.org)