Samaritan’s Purse Coordinating Largest Civilian Airlift Operation in U.S. History

BOONE, N.C., Oct. 11, 2024—Samaritan’s Purse has completed more than 210 helicopter and fixed-wing missions to deliver emergency relief supplies to some of the most isolated and hard-hit areas of western North Carolina and eastern Tennessee in response to Hurricane Helene—with more airlifts going out every day. From small helicopters to Black Hawks to Chinooks, capable of carrying over 15,000 pounds of cargo, Samaritan’s Purse is delivering generators, fuel, heaters, blankets, medical kits, food, water, and Starlinks to communities that have been cut off by floodwaters, mudslides, and washed-out roads.

Numerous aircraft from private businesses, individuals, non-profit organizations, the North Carolina Army National Guard, and the U.S. Army have been a part of making this large-scale response possible.

“This is unprecedented. It’s a testimony to what can be done when people work together. It’s nothing short of a miracle and we give God the glory,” dijo Franklin Graham, presidente de Samaritan's Purse. “We are thankful to God for bringing all of these people and groups together to help those who have been devastated by Helene.”

The international Christian relief organization has loaded and dispatched these flights out of the small airstrip located near its headquarters in Boone, North Carolina. These airlifts have delivered supplies to dozens of churches and fire departments across 17 counties.

In addition to air missions, Samaritan’s Purse has also deployed Disaster Relief Units—tractor-trailers stocked with tools and equipment—to Asheville, Boone, and Burnsville, North Carolina; Perry and Tampa, Florida; and Valdosta, Georgia. More than 13,000 volunteers have served over 700 families in need by mudding out flooded homes, clearing debris, removing downed trees, and tarping damaged roofs.

Basada en Boone, Carolina del Norte, Samaritan's Purse responde a las necesidades físicas y espirituales de los individuos en situaciones de crisis, especialmente en lugares donde no existen muchas personas ayudando. Liderada por el Presidente y Director Ejecutivo Franklin Graham, Samaritan's Purse trabaja en más de 100 países brindando ayuda a las víctimas de guerra, enfermedades, desastres, pobreza, hambruna y persecución. Para más información, visítanos en: SamaritansPurse.org/espanol.