Salvation Army South Asia Disaster Relief Work Entering Second Phase: Reconstruction Begins Shortly

By Edward Shih

The Salvation Army’s rescue relief work has entered second phase, besides having immediate rescue service in disaster area, the Emergency Services Section at The Salvation Army’s international Headquarters in London is pushing forward the reconstruction work in Indonesia, India, Sri Lanka and other disaster areas, and helping those who lost their country and relatives to quickly return to their lives. Salvation Army not only rebuilt the damaged buildings, but also strives to heal the hearts of the victims by providing them spiritual comfort, religious support, and professional counseling services.

Major Alfred Tsang, General Secretary for the Salvation Army Hong Kong and Macau Command went to Sri Lanka last week to inspect the disaster situation, and has now returned to Hong Kong on January 2, 2005.

Major Alfred Tsang states that the damages caused by the Tsunami are very serious. The surviving victims have gathered in the temples and churches temporary shelter, and they sleep on the floor. Because of rain, some shelters have water all over the floor. The situation is rather chaotic. The refugees temporarily use the water from the well to clean their bodies. The health condition is satisfactory, and voluntary organizations are providing food, but milk powder for babies is still in shortage.

Besides providing for food, clothes and changing and providing water for the shelters, Salvation Army is starting to pass out tents, soaps: Salvation Army Hong Kong ad Macau have gathered around one thousand three hundred boxes of cookies.

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