In times of need

It’s often said that The Salvation Army has a ministry of “presence” – of being there in times of need.

In 1891, severe flooding in the Brisbane area gave The Salvation Army its first experience of ministry during an emergency. Many people were made homeless through the floods and Salvation Army halls were quickly utilised to provide shelter and meals.

Today, a plethora of specialised Salvation Army Emergency Services (SAES) vehicles are available to meet the needs of those traumatised by disaster. Most recently, The Salvation Army Emergency Services teams in Brisbane were on hand during the 2011 and 2013 Brisbane floods, providing meals, refreshments and support to emergency services personnel and those affected. Our crews manned evacuation centres, delivered emergency assistance and helped in the massive clean-up effort.

Trained counsellors  were deployed in Brisbane and other affected areas to help people cope during the months and years afterwards and The Salvation Army, in partnership with The Sony Foundation established the Soundpoint Youth and Community Centre in Goodna, a suburb hard-hit by the disaster.

In December 2011, The Salvation Army in Brisbane launched a specially compiled DVD, Still Standing, plus a new website, stillstanding.org.au, as tools to assist those impacted by the floods and cyclone. The Salvation Army distributed 30,000 DVDs free to people in affected areas.