Support from Across Spain Boosts Salvation Army Earthquake Response

The Salvation Army in Spain has stepped up its response to the earthquake that caused widespread destruction to the town of Lorca, Murcia.

Lieutenant Luigi Muedas (corps officer, Alicante) was in the first team to reach Lorca. He says: ‘The city looked like there had been a war; there were fallen walls, military and firefighters everywhere. We have seen the faces of desolate people and a lot of tears.’

People are afraid to enter their homes to pick up personal belongings. Government experts are working to assess the damaged buildings and put a mark on those which are uninhabitable.

The main need at this moment is for shelter, blankets and hot food. People have been receiving sandwiches for many days. The Civil Coordinator for Emergency gave permission for The Salvation Army to distribute hot food in one of its tents and 400 families received soup, pasta and rice.

Personal hygiene items including toothbrushes, toothpaste, tissues and baby wipes, along with jars of baby food, were distributed on Sunday evening. This week The Salvation Army’s thrift store in Mallorca is sending a load of clothing which volunteers will help to distribute.