The Salvation Army Braces for Catastrophic Cyclone in India

Alexandria, VA (October 11, 2013) – The Salvation Army is preparing to respond to the expected devastation of supercyclone Phailin. Half the size of India, Phailin is forecast to make landfall along the southeast coast of India, bringing large storm surges and heavy rain. Local Salvation Army Emergency Disaster Service teams are prepared to meet immediate needs of food, water, shelter, and emotional and spiritual care to survivors when and wherever possible.

“Based on reports, we expect the damage from this storm to be catastrophic for the people of India,” said Major Ron Busroe, The Salvation Army’s National Community Relations and Development Secretary. “The Salvation Army in India is sheltering people in Salvation Army Community Centers and have teams on the ground to provide immediate relief for survivors as they struggle to cope with the aftermath of the storm.”

India is The Salvation Army’s oldest mission field; they’ve had a presence there since 1882. The country is serviced by more than 3,000 officers and 328,000 soldiers. They operate schools, clinics, hospitals, feeding programs, children’s homes and churches through some 1,350 Corps Community Centers.

Monetary donations are the most critical as supplies and personnel are mobilized for immediate relief efforts. To give, visit https://donate.salvationarmyusa.org/indiacyclone or call 1-800-SAL-ARMY (1-800-725-2769). $10 donations can also be made via mobile phone by texting “INDIA” to 80888 and replying “YES.”* Check donations to Salvation Army World Service Office (designate “India Cyclone”) can be mailed to:

Salvation Army World Service Office
International Relief Fund
P.O. Box 418558
Boston, MA 02241-8558

In-kind donations are not being accepted.

*A one-time donation of $10 will be added to your mobile phone bill or deducted from your prepaid balance. Message and Data Rates May Apply. All charges are billed by and payable to your mobile service provider. Service is available on Verizon Wireless, AT&T, Sprint, and T-Mobile. All purchases must be authorized by account holder. By participating you certify that you are 18 yrs or older and/or have parental permission. Donations are collected for the benefit of The Salvation Army by Innogive Foundation and subject to the terms found at igfn.org/t. Privacy policy: igfn.org/p. Text STOP to 80888 to stop; Text HELP to specify 80888 for help. *

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About The Salvation Army

The Salvation Army, an evangelical part of the universal Christian church established in 1865, has been supporting those in need in His name without discrimination for 129 years in the United States. Nearly 30 million Americans receive assistance from The Salvation Army each year through a range of social services: food for the hungry, relief for disaster victims, assistance for the disabled, outreach to the elderly and ill, clothing and shelter to the homeless and opportunities for underprivileged children. 82 cents of every dollar spent is used to support those services in 5,000 communities nationwide. For more information, go to www.salvationarmyusa.org.