Disaster Relief
Downriver Corps Disaster Relief Information
How we help disaster survivors
We combat natural disasters with acts of God.
The Salvation Army's Disaster Services represent a commitment to serve people in their time of need and at their exact location of need. First begun following a hurricane that devastated Galveston, Texas, in 1900, the worldwide program has gone on to serve millions of disaster victims in the 100 years since. In the Eastern Michigan Division, a dozen disaster response teams, directed by trained personnel, are on call to serve at all disasters and civil disorders that may place a community at risk or disrupt family security and well-being. Mobile canteens provide food, temporary shelter, blankets, communications, pastoral counseling, emergency lighting, clean-up kits, and referrals to Salvation Army centers. By partnering with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (NVOAD), and local agencies, The Salvation Army ensures its disaster services are provided in the most efficient manner possible.
The Salvation Army helps meet the needs of disaster survivors through:
Training
The first step in being ready to respond to an emergency is training. In partnership with other agencies, The Salvation Army’s disaster training program offers a variety of courses designed to help individuals and communities prepare for emergency events and become trained disaster volunteers.
Food Service
When disaster strikes, one of the first signs that help is on the way is often the arrival of a Salvation Army mobile feeding unit, offering meals, snacks, and drinks to rescue workers and survivors.
Emotional and Spiritual Care
Motivated by Christian faith, The Salvation Army deploys specially trained individuals to offer emotional and spiritual care to rescue workers and disaster survivors.
Emergency Communications
The Salvation Army Team Emergency Radio Network (SATERN) includes a worldwide network of volunteer amateur radio operators and other communications specialists, who may be mobilized to transmit emergency information during a disaster event.
Disaster Social Services
After a family has lost everything in a disaster, The Salvation Army is there to provide emergency assistance to help meet survivors’ most urgent needs for food, clothing, shelter, and medical services.
Donations Management
The Salvation Army is one of the nation’s leaders in responsibly collecting, sorting, and distributing donated goods. The Salvation Army encourages cash donations as the best and most flexible way to help and solicits only those in-kind donations that can be effectively received and efficiently distributed.
Recovery
The Salvation Army supports long-term disaster recovery operations with flexible programming that is adaptable to the unique needs of individual communities.
For more information, please contact our office at 734-282-0930.
Every year, natural disasters destroy local economies and devastate lives.
No matter where disaster strikes, The Salvation Army is already there with a comprehensive emergency response plan.
As one of the most well-known disaster-relief organizations in the country, The Salvation Army is ready with immediate response and recovery plans unique to the community affected. Plans forged from decades of recovery efforts and learnings from across the world.
We serve in nearly every community in the United States long before a disaster happens. We’re among the first on the spot, providing wildfire, flood, tornado, or hurricane relief, and we stay long after a catastrophe has passed.
If you or someone you know has been affected by an natural disaster, find help by contacting your local Salvation Army.
Stats
600,000
survivors and first responders who receive support, hope and healing last year
4,307
disasters were responded to by The Salvation Army last year
421,145
people in the United States received disaster assistance last year
The Salvation Army fights natural disasters with acts of God.
When natural disasters strike, The Salvation Army is there to provide immediate assistance and help with long-term recovery. Your donation helps provide essential services to survivors and first responders.
Other Services
