Connect with us
Salvation Army provides humanitarian aid to most needy
Monday 19 August 2012 I For immediate release
On World Humanitarian Day, 19th August, The Salvation Army’s wide range of health and relief services continues to provide humanitarian aid to the most needy in society.
The Salvation Army provides humanitarian aid through its various health services – hospitals, rehabilitation centre, psychiatric centre, mobile and primary health care clinics – as well as its outreach to abused women and children, and initiative to combat human trafficking.
Every winter, the Salvation Army also brings relief through its soup kitchens and blanket distribution drives. Hundreds of blankets are distributed to those in need with the assistance of members of the media and the public.
Public Relations Secretary of The Salvation Army, Major Carin Holmes, says: “The calling of The Salvation Army cannot be fully understood without facing up to and addressing issues of social relief and justice. The Army senses strongly the ongoing impulse to be at the disposal of the neediest in our communities through its humanitarian aid.
“This is expressed in local initiatives to put right those wrongs that are found in communities, such as deprivation of food and water, lack of shelter, inadequate access to health services, and the exploitation of women and children for sexual purposes,” she says.
The Salvation Army’s anti-human trafficking hotline – 08000 73728 – is one of the few such dedicated services in South Africa. This hotline is making a significant contribution to the humanitarian crisis of human trafficking by providing a anonymous platform for anyone with tip-offs on suspected human trafficking cases to report them to The Salvation Army, which in turn refers them to the South African Police Service (SAPS) for investigation.
The Salvation Army operates two hospitals – the Booth Hospital in Cape Town and the Mountain View Hospital in northern KwaZulu-Natal (including a mobile clinic).
In addition, the Carl Sithole Wellness Centre in Soweto, Gauteng, offers primary health care services as does the Msunduze Community and Primary Health Care Centre and Mbuluzi Clinic in Mbabane, Swaziland.
Those in society battling to overcome alcohol and drug addiction can find humanitarian relief at the Hesketh King Treatment Centre in the Western Cape. The Centre offers two Christian-based residential programmes for up to 60 men from the age of 16 years who are suffering from such addiction.
In Gauteng, the Mountain Lodge Psychiatric Centre provides psychiatric residential care for 60 men and women. Most residents live at Mountain Lodge on a long-term basis, with few able to adjust back to a “normal” environment.
The Lodge provides a stable and safe environment, in which medication is carefully controlled. Counselling is provided for spiritual and other problems, while a programme of participation in various activities is encouraged. The idea is to create a “home away from home” environment in which residents can reach their full potential.
The Salvation Army’s services to abused women are focused on Carehaven, situated in Athlone, Western Cape, which offers sanctuary and short term housing to up to 60 women who are victims of domestic abuse and their children. Although a strong Christian emphasis in maintained, women of all races and creeds are embraced, and no one is ever turned away due to lack of money.
In order to break the cycle of abuse, the Carehaven programme of support and empowerment focuses on the whole person to bring healing and help her to cope with future problems more effectively. To date, Carehaven has helped over 5 000 women and children.
The Southern Africa Territory of The Salvation Army encompasses four countries – South Africa, Namibia, Lesotho and Swaziland – and the island of St Helena. Its officers, soldiers and full-time employees provide their spiritual and community services through approximately 230 corps (churches), societies and outposts, as well as through schools, hospitals, institutions for children, street children, the elderly, men and abused women, and daycare, goodwill, rehabilitation and social centres.
ISSUED BY QUO VADIS COMMUNICATIONS ON BEHALF OF THE SALVATION ARMY
Media Contact: Ruth Coggin
Tel: 011-487-0026
Cell: 082-903-5819
Click here to e-mail Ruth
Client Contact: Major Carin Holmes
Public Relations Secretary
Tel: 011-718-6745
Cell: 082-994-4351
Click here to e-mail Carin
