Released 15 July 2010
SALVATION ARMY BUILDS 600 TRANSITIONAL
SHELTERS IN HAITI
FOLLOWING DESTRUCTIVE EARTHQUKE
Long-Term
Commitment to Rebuilding Communities Continues with Hurricane Season
Underway
Alexandria, VA:- The Salvation Army will
complete the
construction of 600 housing shelters through the Transitional Shelter Program
in Jacmel, Haiti this week, to assist in
relocating earthquake-displaced Haitians back to their home communities. Over
the past six months The Salvation Army has transitioned from providing for
immediate needs, including temporary shelter, food, water and medical attention
to providing long-term recovery services to help return survivors to a level of
normalcy in their lives. The long-term rebuilding process has employed more
than 400 Haitians as carpenters and construction crew-members to assist in
reconstruction efforts.
"The
level of care and steps taken to rebuild Haiti has been astonishing, with this
transitional housing project highlighting the significant strides everyone has
made over the past six months," said Lt. Colonel Dan Starrett Executive
Director of The Salvation Army World Service Office. "Housing shelters have
been built in some of the most heavily impacted areas in Haiti,
including Jacmel, Bainet, Lilette and Bellami. The Salvation Army has had a
major presence in Haiti
since the 1950s and we'll continue to provide earthquake relief services for as
long as the need is there."
Haitian
officials and residents worked closely with The Salvation Army to plan and
manage the transitional housing shelters project which allowed for a quick
design and building process. Through both volunteerism and temporary employment
by The Salvation Army, residents of Haiti have been directly involved
in the reconstruction of their communities. The Salvation Army provided
technical specialists as needed for the project and Haitian teams were trained
by The Salvation Army's transitional housing team. Others were hired to clear
land for the construction of the homes. In all, more than 400 Haitians,
comprising at least 45 construction teams, were trained to supervise and build
600 homes.
With what is
expected to be an intense hurricane season already underway, the shelters were
designed to withstand strong winds and periodic rain storms. Development plans
for the shelters incorporated designs for the proper drainage of water and
prevention measures for waterborne illnesses during the flooding that is likely
to occur this season. The shelters, standing 10 X 20 ft, are designed to last
one to three- years. Overall, approximately 3,000 individuals will be receiving
a new home - at an average of five per household.
"For the
safety and well-being of the thousands of Haitians who have been displaced, it
was critical that we constructed these homes as quickly and strongly as
possible with the hurricane season here," said Lt. Colonel Starrett. "The
ultimate goal of our emergency service in Haiti is to provide the resources
for the community to return to self sufficiency at a level that exceeds
conditions before the earthquake. These homes are the first steps of many in
that direction."
Following the
construction of the 600 shelters in Jacmel, which began on June 5, The
Salvation Army will work with government officials in Haiti to plan
the second phase of development for an additional 500 homes in Jacmel and
another 1,000-1,500 homes in Petit-Goâve, which felt a strong 5.9
magnitude
aftershock on January 20. The quake's epicenter was almost directly under
Petit-Goâve, severely damaging the city. Each home will take one day to
complete, with each costing approximately $1,800. Like in Jacmel, the homes
will be built on existing home sites. Individuals and families who have lost
their homes due to the earthquake must own the property on which their new home
will be built in order to obtain a shelter. Families are helped first, followed
by single women with children and other vulnerable populations.
The Salvation
Army set up a Haiti
relief fund and is accepting monetary donations. Donors may contribute $10 via
their phone bill by text messaging the word "HAITI" to 52000, and confirming the
donation with the word, "Yes." Donors
can also give via www.salvationarmyusa.org,
1-800-SAL-ARMY and through the mail at: The Salvation Army World Service
Office, International Disaster Relief Fund, P.O. Box 630728, Baltimore,
MD 21263-0728
with designation "Haiti Earthquake." To date, more than $20.5 million has been
donated to The Salvation Army to assist in the development of the housing
units, provide 5.4 million meals, as well as other immediate and long-term
recovery services in Haiti.
Through the shelter campaign, The Salvation Army will continue will provide
over 4400 shelters in the next 6-12 months in Jacmel, Petit-Goâve and Port
-au-Prince.
Prior to the
earthquake, The Salvation Army in Haiti operated schools, clinics, a
hospital, feeding programs, children's homes and church-related activities
through some 60 Corps community centers across the country.
One Salvation Army facility in Port-au-Prince
includes a home for more than 50 children; a school with a daily attendance of
1,500 children; a medical clinic caring for 150-200 people daily; and a church
that on any typical Sunday welcomes nearly 1,000 people.
Since January
12, The Salvation Army, along with the United Nations, local governments, and
nongovernmental organizations has cared for the 20,000 individuals who have
been displaced from their homes, living at a soccer field adjacent to a
Salvation Army facility in Port-au-Prince.
To establish a safe environment, a Camp
Security force has been
formed made up of 45 Haitian members from the camp itself. The team has been
trained in security techniques by The Salvation Army and the United Nations.
Medical care and nutritional services are also being provided to meet the needs
of all individuals at the camp; including water purification units that supply
20,000 - 30,000 gallons of purified water or 4.2 million gallons of water
daily.
For continued updates, please visit www.blog.salvationarmyusa.org.<
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About The
Salvation Army
The Salvation
Army, an evangelical part of the universal Christian church established in
London in 1865, has been supporting those in need in His
name without discrimination for 130 years in the United States. Nearly 30
million
Americans receive assistance from The Salvation Army each year through the
broadest array of social services that range from providing food for the
hungry, relief for disaster victims, assistance for the disabled, outreach to
the elderly and ill, clothing and shelter to the homeless and opportunities for
underprivileged children. 82 cents of every dollar The Salvation Army spends is
used to support those services in 5,000 communities nationwide. For more
information, go to www.salvationarmyusa.org.