Salvation Army teams offer help to victims of Madrid bombing (updated 16 March)

THE Salvation Army in Spain is doing all it can to offer help in the aftermath of the terrorist bombs that brought destruction and death to Madrid on Thursday morning.

As soon as the scale of the disaster became clear Major Elsie Cline, an auditor, began making arrangements for Salvationist staff and volunteers to go to the site and offer help wherever they could, by distributing sandwiches, water and blankets. They were also able to offer a listening ear, some counselling and – on many occasions – a shoulder to cry on. There are now several teams in place.

Major Federico L. Larrinaga, The Salvation Army's Officer Commanding for Spain, was out of the country on vacation at the time of the tragedy but cut short his break in order to return and provide whatever help and support he could.

The major reports that 'there is a sense of chaos in the air'. He also wrote to General John Larsson to say that the international leaders 'should feel as proud as I am of our officers, soldiers and volunteers here in Spain. They saw the need and did not hesitate for a moment to react. Instead, they rolled up their sleeves and began to work around the clock.'

He concludes, 'There is one thing that I will request – keep us all in your prayers so that we will have physical and spiritual strength to continue to serve the many who are suffering.'