|TOP|One year has passed since Hurricane Katrina brought devastation and destruction to homes and lives in the Gulf Coast of America. The Salvation Army has spent the anniversary reflecting on its largest disaster response effort in its history.

The Salvation Army gathered more than $365 million in donations to be put to good use rebuilding the homes and lives of more than 1.7 million people across nearly every state in America.

“The unbearable devastation wrought by Hurricane Katrina was met by the most incredible outpouring of support that we have ever seen from donors across the country and around the world,” said Commissioner Israel L. Gaither, who oversees The Salvation Army's efforts in the USA.

“And we continue to be amazed by the number of volunteers who are offering their dedicated support. But there is still much work to be done.”

The Salvation Army was there immediately following the hurricane to serve the survivors. Its massive relief effort mobilised more than 178 emergency disaster services vehicles (canteens) and 11 field kitchens which together have served more than 5.7 million hot meals and 8.3 million sandwiches, snacks and drinks.|AD|

Also, The Salvation Army Team Emergency Radio Network (SATERN), comprised of amateur radio operators, played a vital role in helping to locate more than 25,000 survivors.

But the recovery work has not been confined just to those states directly hit by Katrina. Through their traditional social service network, Salvation Army corps (churches) and community centres across the United States have worked hard to help families relocate and rebuild their lives.

In total, Salvation Army officers, employees and volunteers have revealed the love of Christ by contributing almost 1 million hours of service to the recovery efforts.

But there is still so much more that needs to be done. “This recovery is not over yet,” said Major Dalton Cunningham, who is in charge of The Salvation Army's work in the states of Alabama, Louisiana and Mississippi.

“One year barely covers the amount of time we'll need. Many people throughout the Gulf Coast are still recovering from the shock while trying to rebuild their lives and resume some sense of normalcy. They need more help and we will continue to do all we can.”

Of the accumulated US$365 million of public donations, already US$297 million has been spent or earmarked for spending along the Gulf Coast, while the remaining US$68 million is to be used to help Katrina survivors who have relocated to other parts of the US, particularly Texas and the surrounding states of Oklahoma, Arkansas and Florida.

The Salvation Army also participated in the Katrina Aid Today program, serving more than 16,000 households, or 42,000 individuals with clothing, food, shelter and other relief through in-depth case management. The Salvation Army, one of many charities participating, was funded by a US$12 million grant from the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR), and was supplemented by US$24 million from the Army's own disaster relief fund.