Personal protective equipment was sent to serve remote villages as needed during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Samaritan’s Purse DC-8 aircraft landed in Alaska on Monday, April 6, with over 8 tons of supplies critical for the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic. At the request of the governor’s office, we provided hospital beds, thermometers, and personal protective equipment such as masks, gloves, and gowns. These will be delivered to rural areas of the state through the Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium (ANTHC).
Unloading medical supplies from the DC-8 in Anchorage.
“The native villages are so vulnerable to this virus. We want the people here, especially those in the villages, to know that Jesus Christ loves them very much,” said Edward Graham.
Graham was aboard the aircraft, joined by Luther Harrison, Samaritan’s Purse vice president of North American Ministries, and Corey Lynch, director of Alaska Projects. Upon arrival, they were welcomed by Alaska Governor Mike Dunleavy.
Samaritan’s Purse has worked in Alaska for many years, bringing the hope and healing of Jesus Christ to struggling communities. Since 2006, our volunteer teams have completed 31 construction projects, including worship centers for congregations needing a warm, safe place to meet together.
Governor Mike Dunleavy, right, with Edward Graham at the airport in Anchorage.
We have also supported more than 1,100 U.S. military couples through our Operation Heal Our Patriots project, which began in 2012. Every summer, injured post-9/11 veterans and their spouses come to Samaritan Lodge in Port Alsworth, Alaska, for a week of Bible-based marriage enrichment training and spiritual refreshment. In addition to staff at Port Alsworth, we also have aviation personnel in Soldotna.
We pray that the medical supplies we are bringing to Alaska will help many remote villages to stay healthy during this global health crisis.
Please continue to pray for our teams responding to the COVID-19 pandemic. Please pray for staff in both New York City and Cremona, Italy, where we have set up a 68-bed Emergency Field Hospital in each location to care for coronavirus patients.
