The Salvation Army responds to earthquake in California, USA

Food, shelter, water and emotional and spiritual care are being provided by The Salvation Army to communities affected by a 6.0-magnitude earthquake

FOOD, shelter, water and emotional and spiritual care are being provided by The Salvation Army to communities affected by a 6.0-magnitude earthquake that rocked parts of Napa, northern California on the morning of Sunday 24 August. A state of emergency has been declared by California Governor Jerry Brown following the quake, which has damaged homes and other infrastructure.

With many residents unable to cook because of breaches to the area’s gas main, The Salvation Army’s Emergency Disaster Services team has deployed multiple canteens (mobile feeding units) to the worst-affected areas in Napa and Vallejo as well as at the official evacuation centre.

An emergency canteen is currently at Fire Station 21, where hundreds of meals have already been delivered to emergency personnel. The team also provided food and drinks for the patients and staff at St Helena Hospital which, at one point, was without water.  

Two other canteens have been stationed in other parts of Napa to serve meals: the Salvador Mobile Estates and the Napa Valley Mobile Home Park. At present, more than 800 meals are being served each day.

Salvation Army emergency coordinators will continue to assess the on-going needs and how best to assist residents and first responders throughout the recovery process.  

Based on reports from Del Oro Division, Northern California

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