What We Do
Disaster Core Services
For more than 100 years, The Salvation Army has been responding to natural disasters and other emergencies within the United States. No matter the season, Salvation Army mobile feeding units and teams of trained disaster workers are always ready to offer help, hope and healing to disaster survivors and rescue workers. While each disaster creates its own unique circumstances and special needs, Salvation Army disaster relief efforts focus on several core services. These services may be modified based on the magnitude of the disaster and adapted to meet the specific needs of individual survivors.
Education
The Salvation Army’s Emergency Disaster Services provides information and training to help people protect themselves against the impact of disasters and offers an extensive training program of specialized courses for disaster workers.
Food Service
When disaster strikes, The Salvation Army quickly mobilizes to provide food and drinks to survivors and rescue workers. A hot meal, a warm cup of coffee, or a cold bottle of water are often the first expressions of care to someone whose life has been turned upside down.
Emotional and Spiritual Care
Many disaster survivors and first responders experience emotional distress after a traumatic event such as a disaster. The Salvation Army deploys specially trained individuals to offer emotional and spiritual care to rescue workers and disaster survivors who may need a listening ear, a shoulder to cry on or a word of encouragement. Emotional and Spiritual Care workers are also able to answer questions about the disaster recovery process and how to find and receive services.
Emergency Supply Distribution
Salvation Army disaster warehouses are stocked with critical emergency relief supplies such as food, water, cleaning products, baby supplies, and hygiene items that can be quickly delivered and distributed to disaster survivors.
Emergency Financial Assistance
After a survivor has lost everything, The Salvation Army provides gift cards and vouchers to help purchase and replace the things they need most: food, clothing, child and baby care items, prescription medications, and supplies to clean and repair homes.
Donations Management
After a disaster, The Salvation Army Emergency Disaster Services identifies needs in affected communities and partners with donors to responsibly collect, transport, and distribute critically needed supplies to survivors.
Long-Term Recovery
Disaster recovery may take years. The Salvation Army Emergency Disaster Services works with government, charitable, and private-sector partners to promote community resilience and help survivors rebuild and return to normalcy.
