The Salvation Army Response in Nepal
Alexandria, VA (April 28, 2015) –The Salvation Army is mobilizing emergency response personnel and supplies after a devastating 7.8-magnitude Earthquake in Nepal that flattened homes and buildings, causing widespread damage across the region and killing more than 2,000 people. Here is the latest information on The Salvation Army’s Response:
- The Salvation Army East India Territory's initial response is focused on emergency relief - shelter, water and sanitation - as well the emotional and spiritual support. As the disaster unfolds and we move from emergency response to relief and recovery, our response will broaden and depend on the needs of the Army in the area.
- Volunteers and staff are well prepared to service the immediate and long-term needs of those impacted by natural disasters. In Nepal, we have four Salvation Army centers, 100 members, one officer family, one outreach worker and a group of at least 50 volunteers.
- Five disaster specialists of The Salvation Army trained in emergency response will arrive in Kathmandu today.
- Our office in eastern India, based out of Mizoram, India, has plans in place to send medical staff, pastoral staff to provide spiritual and emotional care, food, tents and blankets. These goods and staff will make their way by road, which may be difficult due to road damage from the earthquake and ongoing aftershocks.
- Arriving staff will also be meeting with local authorities and international aid coordination mechanisms to join with other agencies in providing a coordinated response to those affected by the earthquake.
- The Salvation Army World Service Office will support ongoing efforts.
Frequently Asked Questions for Nepal Earthquake Relief
What is the best way to help survivors of the Nepal Earthquake?
The best way to help is to make a cash contribution. Your cash donation can be made:
Online at salar.my/Nepal
By phone at 1-800-SAL-ARMY (1-800-725-2769)
By mail:
Salvation Army World Service Office
International Relief Fund
P.O. Box 418558
Boston, MA 02241-8558
Mark checks “Nepal Earthquake”
How are funds used?
We work with The Salvation Army in the affected region and our International Headquarters as we process donated disaster funds. We also monitor the public response. In the event more designated funds come in than are needed, we let donors know excess funds may be redirected to our International Relief Fund. This statement is included on the online donation form and in our press announcements:
The Salvation Army is committed to utilize philanthropic gifts in the manner donors desire. Occasionally, conditions in the field may alter relief activities. If this occurs, The Salvation Army will redirect funds to our International relief efforts in the area.
When we anticipate the opportunity to work in conjunction with like-minded partners and share resource, we include a statement like this that clarifies donor intent:
On occasion, The Salvation Army works in partnership with other nonprofits to serve the needs of those affected by a disaster.
Can I donate something other than money?
In-kind gifts
Because of the costs involved in shipping commodities overseas and the difficulty in getting access to the affected areas, The Salvation Army is not accepting in-kind gifts at this time. This includes shipping goods that have already been collected overseas. As always, donors are encouraged to direct goods such as used clothing, furniture and non-perishable food, to their local Salvation Army unit or Family Store where these items are desperately needed to support local programs. Again, the best way to help on this disaster is not to give materials ... but to make a cash contribution. This video may offer a helpful explanation to donors: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Na3j8T_tFCw.
Corporate Contributions
Offers of corporate support may be directed to B. Susan Davis, National Development Director, at The Salvation Army [email protected].
Matching Donations
Please send matching donation forms to:
Salvation Army World Service Office
Attn: Development Office
615 Slaters Lane
Alexandria, VA 22314
The forms can also be emailed to [email protected] or faxed to (703) 684-5536.
Is my contribution tax deductible?
Yes, your contribution is tax deductible to the fullest extent of the law. SAWSO is a recognized public charity; a 501 (c) 3 organization with a federal tax identification of 13-2923701.
Can I help a specific family or individual through a gift to The Salvation Army?
No, we cannot accept specified gifts. Special contributions for a specific family or an individual are not tax deductible under the IRS rules and are contrary to our commitment to help all in need.
Can I Volunteer?
The Salvation Army is not deploying any U.S.-based volunteer disaster workers at this time. As a worldwide Christian charity and an organization whose work began in India in 1882, The Salvation Army movement includes officers (ministers) and staff in the country. With local personnel already serving in the impacted area, the need for U.S.-based disaster workers is very limited. If there is a call for personnel, The Salvation Army will draw upon its cadre of trained, affiliated disaster workers and will not deploy anyone who is not already trained and affiliated. Volunteers who wish to join The Salvation Army's domestic disaster program can sign-up at www.disaster.salvationarmyusa.org.
Where can I get information about persons missing in the affected area?
There are two large organizations that are attempting to help connect families - Red Cross and Google.
- Red Cross family finder –
- · US based, go to https://www.redcross.org and inquire through local red cross chapter
- · overseas, go to International Red Cross tracing site, www.familiylinks.icrc.org
- Google Person Finder www.google.com type in Nepal Earthquake person finder - it will bring up a page to either search for someone or provide info on someone
One other resource that is limited and easily overwhelmed:
- · Families looking for US citizens missing in India can call State Dept., 888-407-4747.
About The Salvation Army
The Salvation Army, an evangelical part of the universal Christian church established in London in 1865, has been supporting those in need in His name without discrimination for more than 130 years in the United States. Nearly 30 million Americans receive assistance from The Salvation Army each year through the broadest array of social services that range from providing 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 The Salvation Army spends is used to support those services in 5,000 communities nationwide. For more information, go to www.salvationarmyusa.org. The Salvation Army is committed to utilize philanthropic gifts in the manner donors desire. Occasionally, conditions in the field may alter relief activities. If this occurs, The Salvation Army will redirect funds to our International relief efforts in the area.
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