Salvation Army responds to earthquakes across five countries
By IHQ COMMUNICATIONS
Salvation Army teams are providing emergency assistance and long-term support to communities affected by a succession of devastating earthquakes across the Philippines, Indonesia, Venezuela, Japan and, most recently, Colombia.
Since 8 June, separate earthquake emergencies have killed thousands of people, displaced families and caused widespread damage to homes, infrastructure and essential services.
While individual disasters have disappeared rapidly from international headlines, Salvation Army teams have remained alongside affected communities, providing practical help, emotional care and spiritual support.
Across the responses, assistance has been shaped by local needs.
In the Philippines, where a magnitude 7.8 earthquake struck Mindanao on 8 June, 900 families received rice, drinking water, groceries and sanitation and hygiene supplies.
In Indonesia, Salvation Army teams responded following a magnitude 6.7 earthquake in Central Sulawesi, providing food, ready-to-eat meals and tents to families displaced or fearful of returning to damaged homes. The Salvation Army’s Woodward Hospital in Palu has also supported the response.
In Venezuela, where two earthquakes struck less than a minute apart on 24 June, The Salvation Army has reached 7134 people with food, water, hygiene supplies, bedding, clothing, emotional care and spiritual support. More than 3100 meals and 1000 food parcels have been distributed, alongside hygiene kits, medicines and other essential supplies.
When a magnitude 7.1 earthquake struck Japan on 28 July during extreme summer heat, teams transported water, food and hygiene products to Kumamoto.
As assessments continued, support expanded to include generator fuel, cooling fans, storage batteries, portable toilets and other equipment needed in evacuation shelters affected by power cuts.
Stronger through partnership
Partnership has been central to each response, allowing local Salvation Army teams to work alongside government agencies, churches, community organisations and humanitarian partners to identify needs quickly and avoid duplication.
In Venezuela, the Ministerio Apostólico Internacional Emanuel church in Caracas provided accommodation, meals, internet access and transport for The Salvation Army response team.
Pastor Gerson Hernández recalled the fear of the earthquake and the days without electricity, but also the strength found in working together.
“The Salvation Army has worked with us unconditionally,” he said. “We hope to be able to continue to assist people ... We are grateful for your prayers and hope to be a blessing in this time of crisis.”
Bringing hope
For Salvation Army responders, emergency assistance is about more than the supplies distributed.
Captain James-Mark Casidsid, Territorial Emergency Service Coordinator in the Philippines, said: “Disaster response is about far more than delivering relief. It is about restoring dignity, offering hope and demonstrating God’s love through compassionate action.”
Local Salvation Army teams respond to Colombia’s devastating earthquake.
On 10 August, a magnitude 7.4 earthquake was felt across Colombia.
According to information available to International Emergency Services on 12 August, more than 200 people had been killed and thousands affected. The Salvation Army’s Latin America North Territory completed an initial needs assessment and is preparing to provide food, hygiene items and shelter support to 300 families.
In addition to providing practical assistance, The Salvation Army is offering pastoral care, emotional support, and encouragement to individuals and families coping with the aftermath of the earthquake.
These responses are being led by the respective Salvation Army territories, supported by the organisation’s International Emergency Services out of its International Headquarters in London, which helps coordinate international resources.
As one emergency follows another, The Salvation Army remains committed to serving people without discrimination, meeting immediate needs, supporting recovery and bringing hope to communities facing some of their most difficult days.
