Salvation Army in Canada and Bermuda commits $1 million to relief effort in South Asia

Wednesday December 29, 2004 – The Salvation Army in Canada and Bermuda is sending $1 million to support its international relief effort in South Asia. These funds will be used directly to provide relief to the victims of the tsunami.

Salvation Army personnel in the affected areas are confirming the tragic news about the aftermath of last Sunday’s tsunami waves that slammed into the southern Asia region. Salvation Army reports from Galle, on the southern coast of Sri Lanka, reported finding the entire area, including Salvation Army properties, in total disarray. Debris is reportedly scattered all over the coastal town which used to be home to thousands of residents. The cost in terms of human life was also great. Among the casualties were passengers on a commuter train and bus that were reportedly washed out to sea by the waves, resulting in massive loss of life. Local Salvation Army personnel are not only providing relief aid and counseling to the survivors, but are also actively assisting in the recovery of bodies.

Similar stories are being heard in Indonesia, India and across the entire region. Commissioner Johannes Watilete, leader of The Salvation Army in Indonesia, says “immediate and URGENT need at the disaster sites (Aceh and Nias island) are for body bags, medical masks, gloves, hand sanitizers and disinfectants. Distribution of these items is being coordinated with the government. That country’s 14 Salvation Army relief teams, known locally as “Compassion in Action teams”, are actively involved in North Sumatra and neighbouring areas conselling relatives and victims. People are still in the state of shock, disoriented, and bewildered.”

The Salvation Army in Canada and Bermuda is appealing to the public to help us reach the goal of $1 million. Salvation Army personnel are based in many of the impacted areas and, right from the beginning, relief teams have been in the forefront of offering aid and relief to the people suffering from this unexpected tragedy.