Aid workers open boxes of food provided by Numana in which warnings against human trafficking are provided to raise awareness of vulnerable Haitians.

While Salvation Army aid workers and volunteers have loaded, unloaded, and handed out millions of meals to combat the rampant hunger plaguing Haitians, these boxes of food contain another form of aid less obvious than the nourishing beans and rice they hold.

Haiti is a nation chronically plagued by extreme poverty and lack of just law enforcement, leaving citizens vulnerable to all sorts of threats both physical and abstract. But with these existing circumstances being further exacerbated by last month’s earthquake, conditions are ripe for Haiti’s already substantial human trafficking problem to increase exponentially. To combat the issue, The Salvation Army is mounting an anti-trafficking awareness campaign advertised even on the food Haitians are eating! Through food labels and fliers, we are trying to educate as many people as possible on the dangers of and ways to prevent human trafficking from breeding during the earthquake’s aftermath and in their communities long term. Though trafficking may be a less visible threat than starvation or dehydration, it is certainly no less dangerous.

The Salvation Army has actually been working for years to educate Haitians against trafficking, teaching prevention awareness to the 14,000 students enrolled in our schools across the country, to families to help them prevent losing their children, to young adults so that they are not deceived by scams luring them with false promises of lucrative work abroad.

In fact, Haiti’s human trafficking problem is so serious that the U.S. State Department denoted the country as a ‘special’ case in their 2009 Trafficking in Persons Report. Though some estimates report a quarter million children are trafficked every year in the country, accurate numbers are difficult to pinpoint. The Report discusses factors that contribute to Haiti’s inability to address the issue (for more detailed background, read about Haiti in the 2009 Trafficking Report here):

“The Government of Haiti’s ability to provide basic services and security for citizens, and to control rampant crime in the capital, Port-au-Prince, continues to be compromised by limited resources, an untrained and poorly equipped police force, entrenched government corruption, and perennially weak government institutions… Haiti remains a Special Case for the fourth consecutive year as the new government formed in September 2008 has not yet been able to address the significant challenges facing the country, including human trafficking. .. Haitian law also does not specifically prohibit trafficking in persons, which limits its ability to punish traffickers and protect victims.”

But after working with Sri Lankan communities devastated by the 2005 tsunami, Director of Special Projects for The Salvation Army World Service Office’s (SAWSO) Lt. Col. Helen Starrett said The Salvation Army realized there needed to be an immediate response following catastrophic disasters to prevent human trafficking. From this conviction came the idea to print and attach warning labels on food for Haitians, a sure way to spread information to as many people as possible. With the help of American volunteers, 500,000 labels printed in English and Creole have been placed on distributed meals provided by Numana and packaging of beans and rice rations. The human-trafficking alert has also been printed on 5,000 fliers that are displayed in clinics, schools, and shelters around Port-au-Prince, and large posters are brandished on Salvation Army water towers. They read:

BE ALERT! WATCH FOR SCAMS!

NO ONE can force you to work or have sex.

1. Beware of people offering jobs in foreign countries.
2. Beware of people offering money, food, shelter, or drugs in exchange for sex.
3. Know where your children are.
4. Know who your children are with.
5. Be cautious of sending your children away. Be sure a VERY trusted relative or friend goes with them.
6. If you are threatened or being controlled seek help from the nearest Salvation Army Comfort Center.

“God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.”

Psalm 46:1

Numana will begin printing the warning messages directly on food packaging starting with the next meal distribution so that labels will not need to be added.

Lt. Col. Starrett says Salvation Army personnel in Haiti also have a one page sheet of information regarding signs of and prevention tools for human trafficking so that they may remain vigilant among the population of Haitians with which they work every day. Serving as lead agency for some 20,000 displaced Haitians temporarily housed in a soccer arena and plaza in Port-au-Prince, The Salvation Army is tasked with registering the occupants. Not only does this help with receiving food and aid supplies from the UN, it also enables disaster workers to keep track of children and vulnerable individuals, helping to ensure that they are accounted for.

The campaign is also intended to educate Haitians so they are empowered to police and protect themselves. Lt. Col. Starrett says that while other organizations are working to combat human trafficking in Haiti, she believes The Salvation Army’s long standing history and involvement in the area (we’ve been present in Haiti since 1950 and have 700 personnel permanently stationed there) has given us a “great capacity to have eyes that other organizations might not have,” meaning in addition to our first hand experience with the country, there is also a trust held by Haitians through their relationship with The Salvation Army that allows them to feel more comfortable bringing forth information about suspicious circumstances possibly related to human trafficking.

In addition to increasing awareness, providing alternative solutions is also integral in the fight against trafficking since desperation for survival may sometimes overshadow what is moral. And The Salvation Army does provide a positive alternative through the millions of meals that we have and will continue to distribute in order to sustain individuals and families, as well as other forms of aid and services that are provided through our disaster workers and full time personnel living in Haiti. This includes offering education in our schools, providing medical assistance in our clinics, and giving guidance through spiritual counseling and worship services.

Lt. Col. Starrett recognized that the problem is not a simple open and closed case, saying, “As long as there is evil in the world, we are going to have human trafficking…” Of course, her observation was not one of defeat, but rather a reason to persevere all the harder in the mission to combat the problem.  She  continued, “But we’re going to do our very best to help as many people as we possibly can.”

For more information on what The Salvation Army is doing to prevent human trafficking, visit our national website.

Major Kelly Pontsler holds the newest baby girl born in The Salvation Army clinic in Haiti.

Major Kelly Pontsler, Public Information Officer for the Haiti Incident Command Team, delivered another updated, personal account of The Salvation Army’s ongoing aid efforts yesterday in the Port-au-Prince area that included new workers transitioning in and the arrival of a newborn girl!

Major Pontsler described part of her job focus as consolidating key information, such as contacts, resources, and many other details, since the urgency in the time immediately following the disaster required a lot of “shooting from the hip.” As personnel leave or move about in Haiti, her efforts will help prevent important information from being lost in the shuffle and centralize it for all those continuing to work over the long term.

With internal and external communication still being difficult in Haiti due to the damaged infrastructure and other unmet needs, even simple emails from Salvation Army officers such as Major Pontsler provide a unique, intimate look into the relief work and state of Haiti (rather than the broad stories run on every news network) that we would not otherwise have.

Below are excerpts of her most recent correspondence:

“ These have been two very busy days.  Yesterday we saw the arrival of five new people – and the departure of three of the medical doctors.  I must say, the doctors did truly amazing service for two weeks!  Major (Dr) Cindy Lou Drummond, Col. (Dr) Herb Rader and Dr Steve Fischer are truly missed.  They have been in the ‘war zone’….landing in so quickly after the earthquake to treat people with all kinds of ailments and physical conditions.  They certainly have the respect of this command team!

But change is change – so it has been a day for getting the new people up to speed, perhaps more sitting and waiting than they were hoping for on the first day.  But a day to transition in is good – they will all hit the ground running tomorrow…”

“I had a chance for a quick walk through the camp which sits adjacent to the current Division Headquarters (DHQ) property, for which we are responsible.  About 3100 families reside there, in conditions that are difficult to describe.  The spaces are small, the clusters of people very dense, throw in the smells of cooking food, poor sanitation and humanity in general, and mix it together with heat and humidity…and you have just a hint of the reality.

…

There really is no room for tents in there.  These are more like what we’ve probably call lean-to dwellings.  We are still waiting for proper toilets to get installed – but they were able to arrange for some showers.  Mind you, a few blocks of showers and toilets don’t go far when there are some 16,000+ people in the camp.  I read today that Port au Prince (PAP) will need at least 7,000 toilets to begin to deal with the sanitation and reduce the risk of disease.  That’s a lot of toilets!  And I think for the first go around we are getting help to set up something like a dozen.  It is going to take some time.

…

“The highlight of the day was saying hello to newborn #5 at the Army clinic here.  A little baby girl made her way into the world about 8 am this morning, in the compound outside the clinic.  Her mom and family are now living in the camp.  But she is a gorgeous little baby.  She didn’t have a name yet when I went to visit, but her mom gave us permission to take a photo.”

Major Pontsler also said DHQ was damaged beyond repair and is renting offices in a building where the Incident Command office has also been moved. Despite these setbacks, she reports, “The ministry of the Haiti Division has not stopped.”

She closes with an important request. If you’ve been wondering how you can support our workers in the field, this one’s for you:

“Your prayers and thoughts for everyone serving here are much appreciated!  The Salvation Army is serving phenomenally well – and we sense God’s hand every day.  Please pray for good health for the team, for quick assimilation of the newest team members…. and for wisdom for the command leadership, as they start to think further done the road now.”

For more information on what The Salvation Army is doing in Haiti, visit our  Haiti website at www.salvationarmyhaiti.org.

You can also stay updated on our efforts by visiting our national website at www.salvationarmyusa.org or following us on  Facebook and Twitter.

The Salvation Army broke ground  today on The Ray and Joan Kroc Corps Community Center for Augusta, Georgia! The impressive 85,000 sq. foot facility will be built on a 17+ acre campus and feature a social service center; arts, education and worship center; and an indoor aquatics and recreation center.

The Salvation Army’s Kroc Community Center in Augusta is part of a great vision held by Joan Kroc, wife of McDonald’s founder Ray Kroc. She desired to build state-of-the-art facilities in underserved communities throughout the nation with the highest quality recreational and arts facilities so that all children would have equal opportunities to build their natural gifts and talents. In 2003, Mrs. Kroc passed away, and entrusted to The Salvation Army the largest gift ever given to a private charity for the express purpose of building and endowing Kroc Centers. The first Kroc Center was completed in San Diego, California in 2001.

In keeping with the mission of The Salvation Army, The Kroc Center in Augusta will provide facilities, programs and services to encourage and enable children and adults, strengthen families, and enrich the lives of seniors.

Members of the Augusta area will hardly be able to wait until its anticipated 2011 opening! The facility will feature anything one could ever want. The recreation center will house a full size fitness center, as well as an aquatic center with waterslide, splash park, and lap lanes – perfect for exercise and play.

The arts, education, and worship center also has plenty to offer. In this center will be located The Salvation Army’s chapel, offices, 400-seat theater, and computer lab. There are also classrooms for education, art , dance, and music rehearsal. Drop-off childcare will also be offered with an outdoor playground for kids.  In addition, there is a 270-seat Banquet Center and teaching kitchen to enable job skills training.

Furthermore, a full continuum of services will be provided in the Kroc Center, including a food pantry, rent and utilities assistance, and VA services.

On top of these incredible features that will benefit the local community, the Kroc Center will create approximately 102 full-time and part-time jobs.

The Salvation Army is excited that construction on the Augusta Kroc Center has begun! For more information, visit The Salvation Army’s Southern Territory page here.

For more information on the Joan Kroc’s vision for The Ray and Joan Kroc Corps Community Center, visit The Salvation Army’s national website here.

Video: Salvation Army Food Distribution in Port-au-Prince, Haiti

The Salvation Army’s Major Kelly Pontsler, who is currently working in Haiti providing disaster relief, sent us the following detailed, firsthand account of worker and volunteer efforts to distribute desperately needed food to thousands of displaced earthquake victims.  This gives a wonderfully personal insight into the everyday, ongoing work and small victories experienced by The Salvation Army team amidst trying to meet the overwhelming need of Haitians:

“At 2:00 pm local time today, the convoy of trucks arrived.  Escorted by four vehicles carrying approximately 40 members of the US 82^nd Airborne Division, The Salvation Army quickly took command of the access road which bisects its properties in the Delmas 2 district in Port-Au-Prince.

Within minutes of their arrival, the container trucks were in place, the Salvation Army and military personnel had taken their places, the doors were opened and food began to move.   For the dozens of staff and volunteers on-site for this 4^th food distribution, this was about service.   For the thousands of displaced people gathered on that dusty road this afternoon, this was about continued survival.

As smoke billowed from the ravine of smoldering rubbish which runs along the narrow road, family members followed in turn to present their food ration card for a stamp.   As the line inched forward, each bearer of a card received food.  The packages (containing rice, beans, and vegetables) provide a family of 5 with a week’s worth of nutrition.   An estimated 552,000 meals were distributed this afternoon in less than four hours.

Hunger and fatigue are evident on the faces of those going through the line.  Life in the camp surrounding the Salvation Army property is not easy.  Sanitation remains an ongoing concern and the emergency response continues to unfold day by day.

It would be easy to think that there are no signs of hope amidst the rubble of the neighborhood.    And yet today there were small gestures which made the difference.  A group of three young volunteers, doing their best to keep the distribution line moving quickly, spotted an elderly woman who appeared to be a bit unsure of the process.  They paused long enough to help her close the box and lift her food to her head to carry it to the camp.  It took only 10 seconds, but it mattered.  In the midst of chaos and despair, there is still a place for respect.”

Major Kelly Pontsler

Public information Officer

Haiti Incident Command Team

The Groundhog saw his shadow today, and if the rodent’s predictions are accurate, that means we have six more weeks of bitter winter weather.

Some people prefer the cold season, and others might find the chilly temperatures an inconvenience, but for the homeless, such a forecast could have severly grim consequences. Without knowing where their next meal will come from, and living without roof or bed, the lack of the most basic necessities turns icy temperatures into a matter of life and death for the homeless.

“I probably wouldn’t have survived,” recalled Herbert “Herb” David Gardner of Chattanooga, Tennessee, referring to the long, frigid nights sleeping on docks and living inside a tent before he found the local Salvation Army warming shelter about a month ago.

Another homeless man told Salvation Army Captain Bob Mullins “I would have died if you didn’t have this shelter to come to,” referring to a unit in Huntington, West Virginia, where temperatures have plunged into the lower teens.

Salvation Army shelters across the country are on the front lines battling this years’ exceptionally harsh winter, opening their doors to homeless people seeking refuge from the blistery elements. Within these safe havens, those in need have found a warm place to sleep, hot meals, winter clothing and blankets, and other items that will help keep them safe through the dangerously cold nights.

Passing through the shelter doors are young and old, families and individuals, those who have spent much of their life on the streets and others who are seeking help for the first time in light of a difficult economy. The size and amenities of each Salvation Army shelter vary and are tailored to the needs of each community, but all share the mission of meeting the needs of those they serve.

According to Captain Mullins, the organization’s shelter in Huntington averages more than forty men, women, and children each night, and within one day they recently served more than 600 meals and 1,000 drinks. They’ve also handed out numerous blankets, hygiene kits, shoes, and winter clothing items, all which are direly needed by the shelter’s patrons.

This week a rescue squad brought a couple into the Huntington shelter that was found in the subfreezing temperatures with nothing but a cardboard box as protection. Another man who came in had developed frostbite after holes in his shoes left his feet exposed to the elements. At the shelter these people and others were finally able to have their physical needs cared for, as well as their mental and spiritual needs through opportunities to participate in activities such as Praise and Worship and a Bible study, programs offered in one form or another by many Salvation Army shelters across the country.

Thanks to generous donations from local community members and organizations, Salvation Army shelters are able to provide much needed supplies and support for the homeless. However, with the long cold spells and significant crowds entering their doors, shelters are continually seeking and gratefully accepting donations, including monetary contributions, clothing and outerwear, bedding, heaters, and volunteer help, so that they may continue to faithfully serve vulnerable individuals and families.

“We watch the news and weather hoping and praying there will be a break in these extremely cold temperatures, but we are prepared to remain open until it is safe for those who have become like family to return to those places they call home,” said Captain Mullins.

And as Salvation Army staff and volunteers work tirelessly to mitigate the dangers of the cold weather, the diligent efforts of those in Chattanooga have inspired their homeless patron Herb Gardner. After seeking shelter with The Salvation Army almost two months ago, Herb says he is motivated to get off the streets and get his life back on track. Not only is he involved with The Salvation Army shelter program to outline weekly goals, find a job, and hunt for his own apartment, he also spends many days volunteering at a local community kitchen.

“I try to give back for people that’s given to me,” Herb said. “I’m trying to look forward and change my life. And without this place I would have never been able to do it, I don’t think. The Salvation Army is such a great place. It’s a blessing from God for this place even being here.”

If the Groundhog is correct, we hope at least that it is a mild six weeks for the sake of those who are left vulnerable to the wintry elements, but, whatever the weather, The Salvation Army’s shelter doors will continue to remain open for those in need.

Target's Super Love Sender online campaign is a creative, free way for people to support a charity of their choice while getting in the Valentine's Day/Super Bowl Spirit.

Valentine’s Day and Super Bowl Sunday are only a week apart, and Target is celebrating with a two-week-long online giving campaign through their Facebook page at facebook.com/Target!

Their ‘Super Love Sender’ campaign, which runs from January 31 through February 14, 2010, combines football and romance just in time for these special days. Participants will decide how 5 national charities will receive a portion of $1 million donation from Target to fund educational programming. The charities are:

• The Salvation Army
• Kids In Need Foundation
• St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital
• United Way
• United Through Reading® Military Program

Through Super Love Sender, participants can send a funny, football-inspired valentine video card to significant others, friends, and family in support of the charity of their choice. Best of all, the cards are free to participants!  Every time an online video card is sent, the selected charity will receive one vote.  The total percentage of votes will correlate to the charities’ portion of the $1 million received in a one-time donation from Target.

I won’t tell you who to root for during the Super Bowl, BUT, I will, of course, encourage you to select the Salvation Army when sending out your Super Love Sender cards. The Salvation Army will use funds to support the educational enrichment of children and families during the back-to-school timeframe.

When I checked out the Super Love Sender and made my own card, I was truly impressed by Target’s creativity! You can customize your online card by selecting from 3 themes: a song, dance, or poem, all performed by goofy football players on a stage of plush pink. These athletes may not be the most macho guys in the huddle, but they will score a laugh.

If you’re thinking about a significant other, the poem theme may be the way to go (the football player’s cougar growl is worthy of provoking a smile), and the dance theme would be great for anyone ( the ‘freestyle scrimmage’ and ‘man in motion choreography’ are just a few examples of the dance moves to choose from).

Participants can send a maximum of 10 video cards per computer per day, throughout the campaign.  All votes and dollars allocated will be updated in real time on the Target Facebook Page, and the final donation allocation will be announced on February 15, 2010.

And thank you to Target for creating a fun and innovative campaign to support charities and education. Since 1946, Target has given 5 percent of its income through community grants and programs like Take Charge of Education. Today, that giving equals more than $3 million a week for education, the arts, social services and volunteerism nationwide.

Once you create a card for someone special, be sure to leave a comment on our blog about how you chose to personalize it and your tips for other participants!

Haitians gather to receive food and water distributed by The Salvation Army.

While the situation in Haiti continues to be very serious, The Salvation Army Relief Team is providing massive amounts of food, water and other relief materials to the people affected by the earthquake.

Our team received two shipments of food and water over Saturday and Sunday, totaling almost 630,000 meals, more than over 5,100 individual water bottles, and 1,300 gallon jugs of water.

Team members were also coordinating with the US Army 82^nd Airborne to arrange a food delivery of more than 174,000 meals to a particularly hard hit neighborhood in Port-au-Prince which has not received any major food distributions before now.

In the United States, massive community packaging events are being held around the country.  These volunteer services have been crucial in helping The Salvation Army to deliver well over 1.3 million meals already and will ensure that these life-saving deliveries continue until local systems can be restored.

Early estimates are that The Salvation Army will be required to supply over 1 million meals per week for at least the next six weeks in order to sustain displaced families until regular and sustainable UN deliveries of food can be put into place.

Meanwhile, as The Salvation Army carries out its role as lead agency in caring for some 20,000 displaced Haitians, our workers continued to hold meetings and forge partnerships in order to address the devastated Delmas 2 neighborhood. Critically important issues being addressed is water and sanitation, the provision of medium-term shelter, and regular and reliable deliveries of food.  On-going medical services and the timely restoration of education programs for displaced children are also priorities.

This weekend was also a transition time for the team as some members left Haiti and new team members arrived in their place.  International emergency personnel continue to provide support and assistance for our Haitian Salvation Army Officers and staff who have been working heroically and self-sacrificially ever since the earthquake.

Critical medical services continued this weekend as well as the arrival of a new team of doctors, nurses, and support staff replaced outgoing medical personnel.

As a result of Haiti’s recent earthquake, there are many obvious threats survivors must face in the aftermath, such as malnutrition, dehydration, lack of shelter, and rampant disease.

But there is another enemy less obvious to the naked eye far that’s far more sinister than these afflictions – human trafficking.

In the wake of natural disasters, the breakdown of rule of law, extreme poverty, and increased vulnerability all contribute to a surge in human trafficking, especially targeted towards young children who are the most vulnerable of the population.

Haiti is no exception. Haitian Prime Minister Jean-Max Bellerive told CNN in an interview that child trafficking is one of the country’s most significant problems, even without the added stresses caused by the earthquake. It is estimated that every year a quarter million children are reported trafficked within the country.

Now, as the country struggles to rebuild, children face an even greater risk of being sold for sex, slave labor, or their organs.

Prime Minister Bellerive says many culprits pose as organizations falsely claiming to want to save children from the streets and send them to the United States. He is working to register displaced children in Haiti so that the government can account for the children and return them to their relatives if they have any or place them with new families. Trafficking dangers are another reason why Haiti is thoroughly verifying adoption papers before orphans leave the country.

The Salvation Army has been named the lead agency of some 20,000 homeless Haitians living in make-shift shelters and tents near our main compound in Port-au-Prince. As a part of serving as lead agency, we are registering individuals and families settled in this area, in part, to help battle the exploitation of children and vulnerable individuals. The Salvation Army is also rapidly dispensing food, water, supplies, and medical treatment; re-opening schools closed by the earthquake; and offering church-related activities and services in a safe setting in efforts to rebuild and secure the devastated communities.

For more information on how The Salvation Army is working specifically to eradicate human trafficking, visit our national website at www.salvationarmyusa.org/trafficking.

A Salvation Army volunteer helps a woman with food and water at a food distribution.

While The Salvation Army continues to provide support and assistance to the approximately 20,000 displaced families taking shelter near our compound in Port-au-Prince, the Haiti Relief Team in the field continues to reach out and extend help and hope to even more victims in the country.

The Salvation Army Relief Team, supported by the US Army 82^nd Airborne, delivered more than 174,000 meals to the coastal community of Petit Goave (Little Gulf) that lies on the north coast of Haiti’s peninsula.  To our knowledge, this was the very first major delivery of food to earthquake survivors in this affected area!

The city of Petite Goave, with an estimated population of 200,000, is expected to have lost 1,500 lives in the earthquake with 3,000 others  injured. Within a 6 mile radius, 6,000 people are living in temporary make-shift  shelters.

Assessment visits are being organized to the coastal communities of Leogane and Jacmel as well to investigate the level of need and the logistics of extending relief operations to these communities.

The Salvation Army has also been paying significant attention to the children of the country.

Infants from a Port-au-Prince orphanage.

An assessment team visit to the Le Bon Samaritan orphanage in Port-au-Prince resulted in a delivery of 20 tents and seven cases of food.  Our team has committed to continue weekly deliveries of food to the 130 children there and continues to visit other orphanages in the area to assess their needs.

Also, despite receiving significant damage to the building, the ‘College Verena’ school located in the Salvation Army compound has developed a daily feeding program that serves 600 children per day.

Children enjoy returning to school, which helps them escape from the trauma of the earthquake.

As The Salvation Army expands its outreach, we continue to work with partner agencies to provide for the many needs of victims in Port-au-Prince, providing food water, medical treatment, education, and other services.

To stay updated on our efforts, visit our national website at www.salvationarmyusa.org or follow us on  Facebook and Twitter.

You can also find more on-the-ground updates from our team in Haiti through  www.salvationarmyhaiti.org or The Salvation Army’s  Haiti Facebook page.

Do you remember when we told you Congress was considering a bill that would allow you to claim deductions on your 2009 tax return if you make a monetary donation to earthquake relief in Haiti?

Well guess what – the bill passed!

President Obama signed the bill into Public Law No. 111-126.  This means if you haven’t already, make your donations for Haiti relief by March 1, 2010 so that you can claim a deduction on your 2009 tax return. If you wait until after the 1st, you won’t be able to claim it until next year.

And for IRS purposes, be sure to keep your cell phone bill as a record if you make a donation via text.

If you would like to make a financial contribution to The Salvation Army’s ongoing relief efforts in Haiti, you can donate through :
•     Online Credit Card Contributions or PayPal
•    Text ‘HAITI’ to 52000
•    Call 1-800-SAL-ARMY
•    Mail a check or money order to:
The Salvation Army World Service Office
International Disaster Relief Fund
PO Box 630728
Baltimore, MD 21263-0728
*Please note that your donation is for Haiti Earthquake relief*

To stay updated on our efforts, visit our national website at www.salvationarmyusa.org or follow us on  Facebook and Twitter.