After Saturday’s 7.2 magnitude Haiti earthquake killed more than 1,200 people, injured at least 5,700 and caused severe damage, Samaritan’s Purse immediately began to mobilize staff and relief supplies.
The Christian relief organization has flown 13 disaster response specialists (two of them from Canada) and 31 tons of emergency relief, including shelter material, medical supplies and two community water filtration units, to Haiti. Each unit can provide clean water to 3,500 people each day.
A medical team will also deploy to provide basic medical care and begin health assessments. If needed, a second airlift will transport an Emergency Field Hospital, surgical teams, and other medical personnel to serve patients.
“This massive earthquake has devastated Haiti—it’s left many families homeless and searching for their loved ones,” said Franklin Graham, president of Samaritan’s Purse. “We are responding to help meet needs in Jesus’ Name. Please pray for Haiti and all those who are suffering.”
“Our hearts break for the people of Haiti, who have to endure yet another natural disaster,” said Ian Stokes, Samaritan’s Purse Canada’s international disaster response director. “With the partnership of our Canadian supporters, we’ll do everything possible to help them through this difficult time.”
Samaritan’s Purse has worked in Haiti for more than a decade—responding to disasters and maintaining a permanent country office based in Port-au-Prince. In 2010, the international Christian relief organization responded to the 7.0 magnitude earthquake and the subsequent cholera outbreak. In 2016, Samaritan’s Purse responded to Hurricane Matthew and provided life-saving relief supplies in the hardest-hit areas.
Donations Needed To support Samaritan’s Purse’s disaster relief efforts, please visit SamaritansPurse.ca (click on “Donate”) or call 1-800-663-6500.