The salvation Army on Haitian-s Ground Zero

[HAVE_A_HEART]

I thought you might like to see this.  The gal who wrote this blog is a long time personal friend of mine who is currently serving in Haiti-s, and I am so very proud of her!!!

 

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A Haitian girl from Port-au-Prince is one of thousands being served by The Salvation Army.

 

Salvation Army Officer Gives Personal Account of Disaster Relief Efforts

2nd February

2010

written by Laura

 

The Salvation Army’s Major Kelly Ponstler, who is currently working in Haiti providing disaster relief, sent us the following detailed, firsthand account of worker and volunteer efforts to distribute desperately needed food to thousands of displaced earthquake victims.  This gives a wonderfully personal insight into the everyday, ongoing work and small victories experienced by The Salvation Army team amidst trying to meet the overwhelming need of Haitians:

“At 2:00 pm local time today, the convoy of trucks arrived.  Escorted by four vehicles carrying approximately 40 members of the US 82^nd Airborne Division, The Salvation Army quickly took command of the access road which bisects its properties in the Delmas 2 district in Port-Au-Prince.

Within minutes of their arrival, the container trucks were in place, the Salvation Army and military personnel had taken their places, the doors were opened and food began to move.   For the dozens of staff and volunteers on-site for this 4^th food distribution, this was about service.   For the thousands of displaced people gathered on that dusty road this afternoon, this was about continued survival.

As smoke billowed from the ravine of smoldering rubbish which runs along the narrow road, family members followed in turn to present their food ration card for a stamp.   As the line inched forward, each bearer of a card received food.  The packages (containing rice, beans, and vegetables) provide a family of 5 with a week’s worth of nutrition.   An estimated 552,000 meals were distributed this afternoon in less than four hours.

Hunger and fatigue are evident on the faces of those going through the line.  Life in the camp surrounding the Salvation Army property is not easy.  Sanitation remains an ongoing concern and the emergency response continues to unfold day by day.

It would be easy to think that there are no signs of hope amidst the rubble of the neighborhood.    And yet today there were small gestures which made the difference.  A group of three young volunteers, doing their best to keep the distribution line moving quickly, spotted an elderly woman who appeared to be a bit unsure of the process.  They paused long enough to help her close the box and lift her food to her head to carry it to the camp.  It took only 10 seconds, but it mattered.  In the midst of chaos and despair, there is still a place for respect.”

 

Major Kelly Pontsler

Public information Officer

[HAVE_A_HEART]

Here is another picture of the distributions. you could clearly see how many people are in need and are being helped!

[CWO3ROBBIE]

H-A-H,

Thanks for posting this. Its hard for those of us who don't know anybody involved to appreciate what these people are going through.

This kind of brings it more "Up Close and Personal.

[HAVE_A_HEART]

As someone who been a member of The SA for nearly 30 years--I know a few people who are serving over there. In fact---if you seen the vidieo or an interview with a guy by the name of Bob Poff, I know him personally too because he use to be my boss in Indiana. We both served as releif workers back during the midwest floods of '92!

[HAVE_A_HEART]

My former boss