TODAY in Charlotte: 105 Tons of Heavy-Duty Plastic Sheeting Will Be Sent to Help Quake Victims
BOONE, N.C., May 26, 2015 — Thousands of homeless Nepalese earthquake victims are now bracing themselves for the potential of even greater catastrophe from the heavy rains and mudslides that come with the monsoon season typically lasting from June to September. To help them take cover from these torrential downpours, Samaritan’s Purse is loading a 747 cargo jet with 105 tons of heavy-duty plastic, which will leave today from Charlotte. The international Christian relief organization deployed a disaster response team to Nepal within hours of the disaster, and they have already mobilized more than 600 tons of relief supplies.
Samaritan’s Purse disaster relief experts on the ground will receive this massive load of supplies and use it to provide shelters for Nepalese families whose homes have been destroyed.
What: Samaritan’s Purse airlift of shelter material for 100,000 Nepal earthquake victims whose homes were destroyed
When:
Tuesday, May 26
Loading 9:30 – 11 a.m.
Departure at noon
Where: Charlotte-Douglas Int’l Airport (4062 Yorkmont Road, Charlotte, N.C., Gate 47)
Note: Follow signs and park at Gate 47 to be escorted to the plane.
Media Opportunities:
- Interviews with Ken Isaacs, who just returned from working in the Nepal quake zones. Isaacs is the vice president of programs and government relations for the organization and can share about meeting with Nepal’s Prime Minister and what earthquake victims are experiencing.
- Interviews with Dr. Lance Plyer, who recently returned from Nepal where he was leading the organization’s medical response team. Plyer is the medical director of the international disaster response unit for Samaritan’s Purse.
- Photo and video opportunities showing loading of supplies onto the 747 cargo jet
- Noon live shots from tarmac as plane departs
Samaritan’s Purse responded immediately by rushing aid to Nepal after the initial earthquake on April 25. Since then, the organization has been working around the clock to meet the needs of survivors both in Kathmandu and rural mountain villages. Samaritan’s Purse has distributed desperately needed items such as food, shelter materials, blankets and hygiene supplies to thousands of families. They also sent a medical team to provide life-saving surgical care in the days after the earthquake—performing some 50 surgeries and caring for more than 470 patients.
Samaritan’s Purse responds to the physical and spiritual needs of individuals in crisis situations. Led by Franklin Graham, Samaritan’s Purse works in more than 100 countries to provide aid to victims of war, disease, disaster, poverty, famine and persecution.
For more information or to donate to Samaritan’s Purse Nepal relief efforts, visit samaritanspurse.org.
