For immediate release

— Wellington, Wednesday 1 June 2011.

Sallies fund toilets for Christchurch.

The Salvation Army today handed over $1 million to Minister of Civil Defence John Carter to fund 20,900 chemical toilets that have been distributed to quake-affected Christchurch residents.

Salvation Army spokesman Major Campbell Roberts says The Salvation Army had committed to fund the toilets when they were first ordered following the February quake.

“We considered this project, which provides the most essential of services, to be critical to the thousands of households that continue to suffer greatly,” he says.

“This allows the Government to free up funds for other critical infrastructure projects in the city,” Major Roberts says.

The money comes from funds collected during The Salvation Army Christchurch Earthquake Appeal.

Since the February 22 earthquake, The Salvation Army has provided:

14,377 food parcels to quake-affected residents 2384 $500 Care Cards for emergency purchases 4000 hygiene packs 3333 vouchers for petrol, clothing or hardware 264 Care Break holidays for those needed respite 75,000 meals in the immediate aftermath of the earthquake.

In addition, The Salvation Army sent 1081 officers and staff to Christchurch as part of its psychosocial teams, which engaged with 92,500 households in the city and surrounding areas. It also brought in personnel to manage operations, procurement and logistics. Around 500 Salvation Army volunteers worked in the Welfare Centres and other sites. These figures exclude Salvation Army recovery work in the six months after the September 2010 earthquake.

Salvation Army centres around the country helped Christchurch residents, who relocated after the quake, with food, clothing, bedding, furniture and accommodation.

Much of this work is only possible thanks to the compassion and generosity of ordinary New Zealanders and dozens of companies, Major Roberts says.
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