A deluge of floodwaters engulfing a single mother’s home. Wildfire flames emblazoning an elderly couple’s abode. Stories like these are all too common — and they have become more so in recent years.
Social service organizations like The Salvation Army — which has about 6,400 service centers nationwide and serves more than 27 million people year-round — are seeing immense need before, during, and after natural disasters. As a result, the organization has honed a 360-degree approach and ramped up resourcing to help communities prepare for — and recover from — these devastating events, as it’s done since the 1900 Galveston hurricane.
Commissioner Kenneth Hodder
National Commander, The Salvation Army
“Every contribution, whether time or resources, helps us continue our mission of providing compassionate service to those in need.”
“To accommodate the needs of those impacted by the ever-increasing number of disasters, The Salvation Army has enhanced its training programs, improving upon its comprehensive disaster preparedness and response modules,” said Commissioner Kenneth Hodder, national commander of The Salvation Army. “We’ve refined our specialized training for volunteers and staff on how to handle specific types of disasters, including hurricanes, wildfires, and floods. Over the course of the last year, more than 3,000 staff and volunteers have been trained across the country. Additionally, we have increased our focus on meeting needs that may not be visible, ensuring our teams are equipped to provide emotional and spiritual aid to survivors and first responders.”
The Salvation Army has also bolstered its technological capabilities in recent years, leveraging the communication system Starlink to ease coordination and reduce response times when needs emerge, Hodder explained.
Preparing for a disaster
Although help exists, communities and individuals can also take proactive steps to help ensure their health and safety in the face of natural disasters.
“All communities should have an emergency plan in place, including evacuation routes, communication strategies, and a list of essential items to take with them,” Hodder said. “It’s crucial to stay informed through reliable sources and heed warnings from authorities. Preparing an emergency kit with food, water, medications, and important documents can be lifesaving.”
Another way individuals can help their communities prepare for a natural disaster is by donating to the organization or joining the nearly 1.4 million volunteers currently helping to deploy these services.
“Every contribution, whether time or resources, helps us continue our mission of providing compassionate service to those in need,” Hodder said.
To learn more, donate, or volunteer, visit salvationarmyusa.org
A holistic approach to disaster relief
The Salvation Army’s mission (to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ and to meet human need in His name without discrimination) is foundational to their holistic disaster response approach of providing physical, emotional and spiritual needs to survivors.
In the case of the aforementioned single mom, The Salvation Army stepped in to offer temporary shelter, essential supplies, and emotional and spiritual support. The organization then assisted her in finding a new home and provided financial aid, Hodder said.
For the elderly couple, The Salvation Army provided temporary housing, food, and clothing. “Our volunteers worked with them through the recovery process, helping them navigate insurance claims and connecting them with community resources for rebuilding their lives,” Hodder said.
These are only two examples of the over 400,000 people aided by The Salvation Army’s Emergency Disaster Services in 2023 alone.
“Our goal is to assist individuals and families through every phase of recovery,” he added. “We not only address the immediate needs of survivors in the form of meals, hydration, shelter, clean-up kits, emotional and spiritual care, infant supplies, and clothing, but also offer long-term support in the form of case management, financial aid, transitional housing, and job training to help them rebuild their lives. Our commitment to serving the whole person for as long as they need us sets us apart, ensuring we address the comprehensive needs of those affected,” Hodder said.
Knowing it takes a wide network to provide end-to-end services, The Salvation Army has formed partnerships with local governments, businesses, and nonprofits, and has secured supplies at key locations to expedite their deployment.
To get help, people can call their local Salvation Army office or emergency hotlines. Mobile units often provide support to affected communities, too, and The Salvation Army’s website offers further details on available services and how to obtain them.
To learn more, donate, or volunteer, visit salvationarmyusa.org
