When a 7.0 magnitude earthquake
struck Haiti three years ago, nearly 300,000 people were killed and 2 million
more were left homeless.
Because Chris Farrand directs The Salvation Army’s Emergency Disaster Services in Massachusetts, he was called upon to serve alongside our Haitian officers and volunteers. His training prepared him to work in extremely difficult situations. The Salvation Army reached deep into places other organizations stay away from, like a tent city for 10,000 displaced residents of Port au Prince and other remote areas.
“The devastation was unthinkable,” Chris said. “Everywhere you turned, you saw a country, street by street, house by house, ruined.” But Chris never imagined how that tragedy was preparing him for another — one far closer to home . . .
The Haitian earthquake prepared The Salvation Army for the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy.
Because The Salvation Army is always at
work — whether in Haiti, or in smaller local fires and natural disasters
in communities like New Bedford and Fall River — we were well prepared to
help Hurricane Sandy victims. Trained volunteer and staff teams from
Massachusetts joined the relief efforts, serving two-week tours in the
region.
As the lead agency for New York City’s Food Access Plan and a key responder in New Jersey, our mobile canteens served over 2.7 million meals and drinks. We also distributed thousands of other items, including blankets, baby formula, diapers, flashlights, batteries and toiletries.
Thank you for helping us share God’s love with communities that have suffered unimaginable devastation.
