Salvation Army responds to South Asia earthquake

The Salvation Army responded swiftly to the south Asian earthquake which brought death and destruction to north-west Pakistan, India and Afghanistan by mobilising two truckloads of relief supplies ready to travel to the worst-hit region of Pakistani-controlled Kashmir as soon as the roads were cleared of rubble.

In addition to equipment held in store for such an emergency, food, clothing and tents were purchased in Lahore – where supplies were more readily available – and plans were made to drive them to Abbotabad. Salvation Army officers would accompany the trucks and supervise the distribution within a 50-kilometre radius of the town.

The Salvation Army’s aid was assembled in response to a direct plea for help from the British High Commissioner, whose official agent in Lahore is Lieut-Colonel Cedric Sharp, Chief Secretary of the Pakistan Territory.

International Headquarters made $60,000 dollars immediately available to the Pakistan Territory for relief work.

The disaster is the worst in Pakistan’s history. Donations towards The Salvation Army’s South Asia Disaster Fund would be welcomed.