The Salvation Army launches Africa Crisis Appeal

THE Salvation Army has launched an appeal to help fund its emergency response to the current humanitarian disasters in Africa. The Africa Crisis Appeal – coordinated through International Headquarters – will be used initially to fund relief programmes in Uganda. Any future work in Chad – providing assistance to people fleeing Sudan – will also be funded through the appeal.

Following the recent fact-finding mission to the Gulu, Soroti and Lira in northern Uganda, The Salvation Army's International Emergency Services is initiating a response to be based in Lira. The needs are immense, as reported previously. People are living without suitable shelter or water, and in terrible sanitary conditions.

Captain Mike McKee (Field Operations Officer) will return to Uganda to conduct an in-depth assessment – in association with the Ugandan Salvation Army – and establish appropriate programmes to provide assistance in the face of appalling human misery.

International Headquarters has also initiated a fact-finding visit to Chad, where 1.2 million displaced people and refugees are living – and dying – in camps on both sides of the border with neighbouring Sudan. A humanitarian catastrophe is unfolding and International Emergency Services is seeking to provide whatever help it can.