Boone, N.C., Nov. 8, 2013—Early this morning, Samaritan’s Purse deployed a disaster response team to provide desperately needed relief to typhoon victims in the Philippines. As the storm began pummeling the central Philippines, the North Carolina-based international Christian relief organization began mobilizing a response. Early reports indicate that Typhoon Haiyan is one of the strongest tropical cyclones recorded on the planet.
“We’ve seen the kind of devastation storms like this can bring to life,” said Samaritan’s Purse President Franklin Graham. “We will do everything we can to provide for their needs. We’ll be there not only to provide survivors with physical aid, but also to share God’s love and bring hope to their communities.”
Samaritan’s Purse staff will arrive on the ground in the Philippines on Saturday afternoon local time. The team is made up of experienced relief workers, including water and nutritional experts. Once in country, they will begin working immediately to provide basic necessities that may include temporary shelter, clean water, food, and hygiene items.
“We began communicating with our partners on the ground before the storm made landfall and initial reports indicated the damage from Typhoon Haiyan is severe,” said Samaritan’s Purse Response Manager Barry Hall. “Our team is prepared to hit the ground running as soon as they arrive.”
INTERVIEW OPPORTUNITIES:
• Barry Hall, Samaritan’s Purse Response Manager who is coordinating relief efforts from the ministry’s headquarters in Boone, N.C.
• Patrick Seger, Samaritan’s Purse Disaster Assistance Response Team leader who is en route to the Philippines.
• Ken Isaacs, Samaritan’s Purse Vice President of International Projects and Government Relations, who oversees the development, training, deployment and work of the organization’s disaster response teams. Isaacs has more than 20 years experience working in disaster and emergency response situations internationally.
Samaritan’s Purse has worked in the Philippines for more than 15 years, deploying disaster response teams and working through local partnerships. Last month the organization provided relief to residents during rebel fighting and after a deadly earthquake. In December of 2012, Samaritan’s Purse also responded to a typhoon in the Philippines that caused at least 1,900 deaths and widespread destruction.
Samaritan’s Purse is an international Christian relief and evangelism organization, based in Boone, N.C., that responds to the physical and spiritual needs of individuals in crisis situations—especially in locations where few others are working. Samaritan’s Purse works in more than 100 countries to provide aid in the name of Jesus Christ to victims of war, disease, disaster, poverty, famine and persecution. For more information, please visit www.samaritanspurse.org.
RETURN TO NEWSROOM
