One of the facilities, or compounds as it is referred to, 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. The facility is less than 10 minutes from the National Palace and is in an area known as St. Martin that's home to predominantly poor living in the nation's capital.

According to reports from Salvation Army staff in Port au Prince, no one in the compound was injured during the earthquake, but the children's home, the clinic and church suffered major damage. Several smaller buildings, including residences, have collapsed completely. People were sleeping in the parking lot overnight, while severe aftershocks continued to affect the country.

The second compound that houses Salvation Army administrative offices is being used as an emergency operations center; damage was slight to this compound, according to Salvation Army reports from Haiti.

The Salvation Army hospital in Fond-des-Negres (75 miles west of Port-au-Prince) reports some minor damage, but no injuries.

The Salvation Army's World Services Office, based in Alexandria, VA, has committed $50,000 to the relief effort and the organization is prepared to commit more financial resources, as well as food, water and other emergency supplies, to assist in the recovery.

The organization has sent more than 44,000 lbs of pre-packaged emergency rations to the country, along with emergency disaster teams.  The Salvation Army is working with other agencies to identify appropriate transportation for the food. As with all such relief efforts, The Salvation Army will be a part of the initial emergency response while assessing longer term needs of the residents.

"Our thoughts and prayers are with the people of Haiti at this time and especially our Salvation Army officers and employees throughout the country," said Major Lester Ferguson, Bahamas Divisional Commander.  Already The Bahamas Salvation Army has sent $25,000.00 to assist with the Haiti earthquake disaster, and is preparing to send additional funds as well as food, clothing and a team of local volunteers to assist with the relief efforts.   Persons wishing to assist may contact Marsha Kanady at The Salvation Army Headquarters on 31 Mackey Street, Nassau, at 242.393.2340.  Major Ferguson also urges the general public to assist other organizations and churches who are coordinating relief efforts for Haiti: "NEMA, The Bahamas Christian Council, the Rotary Clubs and many other churches are involved in the effort to provide help for Haiti.  Haiti needs all the help it can get so all around The Bahamas there are many opportunities for every single Bahamian to become involved in coming to the aid of our brothers and sisters."

Read more on The Salvation Army Haiti Division Website (external link) > > >