Strategy and impact

160 Years: Emergency Services

The Salvation Army will be there before, during and after disaster strikes, supporting the long-term recovery of communities around the world.

The Salvation Army’s earliest relief work dates back to 1866. A cholera outbreak took its toll on London’s East End population. Against a backdrop of poverty and unemployment, the effects were devastating. In response, The Salvation Army distributed food and clothing. From this point onwards, The Salvation Army has aided those affected by natural disasters, wars and emergencies all over the world.

Watch our video to learn more about The Salvation Army emergency response in Indonesia and Sri Lanka.

Special thanks and additional credits to the The Salvation Army United Kingdom and Ireland Territory.

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People wade through flood waters
Emergency response
India Northern

Monsoon devastation in Northern India

The Salvation Army responds

People gather as The Salvation Army relief truck arrives
Conflict
Emergency response

World Humanitarian Day 2025

The Salvation Army joins the global community in commemorating World Humanitarian Day 2025 (19 August) – a day to honour the courage, compassion and sacrifice of humanitarian workers around the world.

A person in a Salvation Army t-shirt looks out at a flood-damaged road
Emergency response
Korea

The Salvation Army responds to record-breaking rainfall in Korea

The response focused on delivering urgent humanitarian aid – including meals, hygiene kits and essential supplies – to displaced residents and relief workers.

Compass
Strategy and impact

Compass

The Salvation Army's global strategic framework.

Faith-Based Facilitation
Strategy and impact

Faith-Based Facilitation

Faith-Based Facilitation is a way of helping people think, talk, explore and respond to issues in the light of faith.

Volunteers unload supplies from a Salvation Army emergency vehicle
Emergency response
USA Southern

The Salvation Army responds to catastrophic Texas floods

Emergency Disaster Services teams are working around the clock to provide meals, drinks and emotional and spiritual care to communities in Central Texas, USA, following the devastating flooding of the Guadalupe River.