Friday 9 December 2005

THE SALVATION ARMY has deployed another New Zealand officer, Bruce Coffey, Captain of the Salvation Army’s Porirua Corps and Director of it’s Community and Family Services to lead it’s latest emergency relief team in earthquake-devastated Pakistan. Arriving in Saborni Village, Pakistan, a week ago, Bruce is now working closely with

The British High Commission and local military. His mission is to reach as many remaining earthquake survivors as he can before winter sets in. The military have a plan to climb to at least 8,000 feet in altitude to distribute aid to villagers still without shelter. It won’t be an easy task, Bruce says, as many of the remaining survivors are cut off from aid by mountainous terrain accessible only by mule or on foot.

“Already the Salvation Army has distributed 720 tents, 2800 sheets of corrugated iron (15 needed for average dwelling), 1600 sheets of ply to use for insulation, 400 kilograms of nails, 6x 6 foot saw blades and 10 sewing machines for sewing tents but it’s clear there’s much more work to be done here”, explains Bruce. “Tents, especially, are still in very short supply”.

Chosen over other officers from around the world because of his high-level experience in emergency relief and international aid work in Iraq and Kuwait, Bruce says he plans to “give it everything he’s got” before winter weather blocks access to the more remote communities.

Major David Bennett, PR Secretary for The Salvation Army in New Zealand has supported the deployment saying: “minus this last attempt at relief, survivors would otherwise face a savage winter with below zero temperatures and it’s unlikely many will live through it.” The death toll for the Pakistan Earthquake stands at 75,000 and with 4 million homeless at last count and the situation not getting better for relief teams or survivors, he’s appealing for public help.

To donate to The Salvation Army’s Pakistan Earthquake Disaster Fund: Visit www.salvationarmy.org.nz, call freephone 0800 53 00 00, 24 hours a day - 7 days a week - or send donations to: The Salvation Army Pakistan Earthquake Disaster Fund PO Box 27001 Wellington New Zealand

Thank you for supporting the work of The Salvation Army, NZ, Fiji and Tonga Territory. We are a member of the global Salvation Army community working to provide disaster, emergency support and humanitarian aid in 113 countries around the world. For more information on our work in New Zealand, visit www.salvationarmy.org.nz

ENDS

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