N.C.-Based Organization Deploying Additional Staff and Supplies to Hardest-Hit Areas
BOONE, N.C., Aug. 29, 2017 —Samaritan’s Purse deployed two additional Disaster Relief Units to Texas Tuesday with a third unit scheduled to move out later this week in response to the catastrophic flooding caused by Hurricane Harvey. The organization is also mobilizing an army of volunteers to help desperate Texas homeowners.
"The people of Texas are facing an unprecedented catastrophe, and they urgently need our help," said Samaritan’s Purse President Franklin Graham. "We’re going to do all we can to help them by tarping roofs, mudding out homes and clearing debris. Most importantly, we’re going to show them the love of Christ and let them know they’re not facing this crisis alone."
Each Disaster Relief Unit is stocked with tarps, chainsaws and other tools, and can serve as a mobile command center for the team on the ground.
Even before the storm hit last Friday, the organization had deployed two Disaster Relief Units to Texas to be positioned to respond immediately after the storm passed. These two are currently stationed in Victoria and Rockport, Texas, and volunteers have already begun working in Victoria. The additional units will stand by to move into Houston and the Galveston area as soon as flood waters recede.
MEDIA OPPORTUNITIES AND RESOURCES
- Luther Harrison, vice president of North American Ministries for Samaritan’s Purse
- Tim Haas, manager of U.S. Disaster Relief for Samaritan’s Purse
- Todd Taylor, program manager of U.S. disaster relief for Samaritan’s Purse, on the ground in Texas on Sunday afternoon
Chaplains from the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association’s Rapid Response Team are also working alongside Samaritan’s Purse to provide emotional and spiritual encouragement and support.
For more information about how to help or volunteer with Samaritan’s Purse, go to spvolunteer.org. Donations to help with the flood relief efforts can be made at samaritanspurse.org.
Samaritan’s Purse U.S. Disaster Relief has worked in Texas over the past two years responding nine times since the beginning of 2015, six of those involving floods. During those six deployments—including two in the Houston area last year—4,997 volunteers assisted 624 families.
