Salvation Army in Spain Responds to Earthquake

May 13, 2011
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Salvationists in Spain are responding to the earthquake that hit Lorca, Murcia, on May 11. The 5.1-magnitude quake, combined with an earlier 4.4-magnitude tremor, killed nine people and caused damage to 80 per cent of the town’s buildings.

The nearest Salvation Army corps (church) is in Alicante, more than 80 miles away. The officers (ministers) based in Alicante, husband-and-wife Lieutenant Luigi Muedas and Captain Jenniffer Beltrán travelled to Lorca to assess how The Salvation Army can provide help. As part of this assessment the officers spoke with representatives from the Spanish military and the Red Cross who are co-ordinating the emergency response.

People are afraid to spend time indoors and there is great fear that another earthquake will cause even greater destruction. Captain Beltrán and Lieutenant Muedas report that many people are sleeping in tents put up by the Spanish military but that some, including families with small children, are spending the night in the open. Others are sleeping in their cars.

There is an immediate need for food, hot drinks and blankets but the main need is for shelter. There is also a need for volunteers so The Salvation Army’s offer of help has been gratefully received.

An initial sum of US $10,000 has been sent from The Salvation Army’s International Headquarters to fund the provision of shelter, food and other necessities.

About The Salvation Army
The Salvation Army annually helps more than 30 million Americans overcome poverty, addiction, and economic hardships through a range of social services. By providing food for the hungry, emergency relief for disaster survivors, rehabilitation for those suffering from drug and alcohol abuse, and clothing and shelter for people in need, The Salvation Army is doing the most good at 7,600 centers of operation around the country. In the first-ever listing of “America’s Favorite Charities” by The Chronicle of Philanthropy, The Salvation Army ranked as the country’s largest privately funded, direct-service nonprofit. For more information, visit www.SalvationArmyUSA.org. Follow us on Twitter @SalvationArmyUS and #DoingTheMostGood.

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