The Salvation Army’s Strategy for Long-Term Relief in Haiti
The Salvation Army will be heavily and closely involved in rebuilding Haiti well past the conclusion of the current emergency situation caused by Haiti’s massive earthquake on January 12.
A Salvation Army international strategy conference was recently held in London, England, to determine Haiti’s long-term needs. It was attended by a delegation from The Salvation Army’s Caribbean Territory, representatives from 10 Salvation Army territories involved in the relief and rebuilding process, personnel from The Salvation Army USA National Headquarters, Salvation Army Word Service Office and The Salvation Army International Headquarters.
The Salvation Army Caribbean Territory presented an extensive report outlining Haiti’s needs as follows:
Due to the quake, there is an increase in numbers of people with disabilities who need attention.
There needs to be business development through the generation of employment opportunities for local people.
An urgent challenge for The Salvation Army is to relocate 20,000 people from its emergency camp to transitional housing. It is hoped this housing will be constructed before the end of the year.
The Salvation Army’s facilities in Port-au-Prince that provide essential services need to be rebuilt as quickly as possible. Most buildings have been so badly damaged that they will need to be demolished.
The Salvation Army’s emergency phase is expected to last for another six to nine months.
Emergency relief costs are $500,000 USD per month.
During the next few months prioritization of the transitional and long-term projects will take place, applications for further funding will be processed and some projects commenced while emergency relief service continues.
Despite generous gifts many more millions of dollars will be needed to complete all that needs to be done and increased partnerships with non-Army donors will be part of the process.
It is estimated that it will take a year to clear away the rubble in Port-au-Prince.
