THE Salvation Army is mobilising resources in response to the humanitarian crisis in Iraq. Personnel have been placed on standby and a forward operations base is to be set up in the region, enabling preparations to be made for a significant humanitarian response.
The organisation's International Headquarters is dispatching Emergency Services Coordinator Major Cedric Hills and consultant Major Mike Olsen to the region.
Major Hills comments, 'We see the reports daily on our TV screens and in our newspapers. We want to be in a position to respond immediately once the security situation permits. Our emergency staff are prepared to commence providing humanitarian assistance and personnel from all around the world are on standby, ready for immediate deployment.'
Water, sanitation, food and shelter are seen by UN officials as the priority needs. The humanitarian community is gearing up in Kuwait, with a Humanitarian Operations Centre (HOC) already established in Kuwait City.
General John Larsson, the international leader of The Salvation Army, states: 'The Salvation Army stands poised to do its part to help alleviate the suffering of the Iraqi people.'
The Salvation Army – currently at work in 109 countries – will coordinate its response to this crisis through the Emergency Services Section at the London-based International Headquarters.
An appeal has been launched for funds, and donations for this 'Middle East Emergency Fund' should be sent to International Headquarters.
International Emergency Services
