A Salvation Army Divisional Commander in Jackson, Miss., USA, has said that in his experience the devastation and impact of Hurricane Katrina is unprecedented.

Major Dalton Cunningham, who manages the three states in the US that have been the most hardest hit by the hurricane so far - Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama has said, “The size of this is massive. It is covering several states and coming several hundred miles inland. So the needed resources are going to be more widespread. This one is hitting multiple cities.”

The Salvation Army Commander reported that at least 800,000 people in Louisiana have now been left without any power at all, and especially all those that had sheltered at the Superdome in New Orleans were now without are conditioning and possibly electricity.

It was said that approximately 100 Salvation Army workers are presently working either in the field – such as at shelters in New Orleans – or at national and regional headquarters to coordinate activities.

In addition another 200 are now on stand by at the perimeter of the storm, waiting on the U.S. Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to assess where best to direct resources.

Once the workers are activated, the 200 Salvation Army members, part of the Incident Management Teams will be moving in 72 canteens that can feed 400,000 people a day and two 54-foot mobile kitchens that can feed an additional 20,000 people a day.

Cunningham said, “The first priority is to feed those that are hungry, that have no food, and that have no place to cook.”

He said those wanting to help could do so by assisting the Salvation Army in making cash donations. “Financial contributions are greatly needed, and provide The Salvation Army with the funds to purchase what storm victims need. They also allow The Salvation Army to assess the unique needs of individuals and families, as well as put money back into the economy of those communities affected by the disaster.”

Cunningham told how once immediate needs are met, the Salvation Army will focus on providing clean up support and assistance.

The Salvation Army Commander said he had not been able to communicate with his workers in New Orleans who stayed to take care of 250 people that could not leave for economic or other reasons, but news had been relayed to him that worst of the hurricane had now passed in that region.

“Losing lines of communication is generally the first challenge facing us,” he said expressing his appreciation to Operation Blessing. “They have been wonderful about transporting goods.”

Operation Blessing is an international humanitarian aid organisation whose goal it is to do all it can to alleviate human need and suffering by providing food, water, medicine and disaster relief to those in need.

Cunningham pledged the Salvation Army’s long-term assistance, saying “The Salvation Army will be there until the needs are over,” even though he also predicted the costs associated with rebuilding and recovery will run into “the multi-millions of dollars.”

The most difficult job for the Salvation Army over the next three days will be getting into the worst affected areas. Cunningham concluded saying, “We ask for the prayers of all the people that we have wisdom, strength and the resources to meet the demands. People mean the most to us. Houses and other things can be replaced.”