Hundreds of thousands of refugees desperate to start new lives in the West have rapidly streamed through Europe this year, overwhelming certain nations along their path. It is the largest crisis of its kind in the region since the Second World War. Many of these men, women, and children are in a mad scramble to…
Crisis & Disaster Response
Aid for Refugees on Samos Island
Although thousands of refugees have transited through Samos Island in Greece, there’s little evidence of them along the beaches. Life jackets have been tidily put into dumpsters, and refugees have quickly moved from the shore to the transit centers where they must register before continuing their journey. “The situation looks deceptively normal,” said Amanda Shettleroe,…
Discipleship, Education & Training
Drama Team Shares the Gospel in South Sudan Refugee Camp
Jumu arrived alone in Ajuong Thok refugee camp. His two brothers were killed during Sudan’s civil war, and his parents refused to travel south—terrified of leaving the only home they’d ever known in the Nuba Mountains. Jumu, now 22, desperately wanted to find Christian fellowship in the South Sudan refugee camp, and he’s now experiencing…
Crisis & Disaster Response
Help Refugees in Greece Facing a Harsh Winter
Nine months ago, Abraham arrived in Greece from the African country of Eritrea. He came seeking peace. Now he has found, blanketed in a freeze, a country normally known for its mild weather year-round. “It’s so cold,” Abraham said. “We are fighting against nature. In Eritrea it’s never cold. It’s hot!” Many Africans have never…
Crisis & Disaster Response
Refugees Receive Backpacks in Macedonia
Samaritan’s Purse has already distributed more than 1,300 backpacks to women and children at locations along the border between Macedonia and Greece. Distributions are ongoing. Refugees from Syria, Iraq, Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan, and other Middle Eastern and African countries have recently been pouring into southeastern Europe. Most arrive in Greece by boat from Turkey. They…
Crisis & Disaster Response
Reflections on Serving Refugees in Greece
Rachel Harris volunteered with Samaritan’s Purse in Athens, Greece, for two months. For two months, I had the privilege of working with Samaritan’s Purse in Athens. The last year has seen thousands upon thousands of refugees arrive in Greece. With closed borders, many of these refugees are stuck in Greek refugee camps, uncertain of what…
Crisis & Disaster Response
Listen to Q&A with Refugee Crisis First Responder
Click above to hear a brief phone interview with Samaritan’s Purse staff member, Dave Holzhauer, as he shares the needs he is seeing in Europe, how Samaritan’s Purse is helping, and ways to pray for the refugees. “The situation here is like nothing I’ve seen before,” Dave said, “women, children, and men making their way with literally nothing.”…
Crisis & Disaster Response
Distributions for Distressed Refugees in Croatia
Salma, her husband, and his brother left their home in Iraq when it burned down one and a half years ago. They moved to Amman, Jordan, with the few belongings they had left in search of a new life. But life didn’t turn out as they had planned in Jordan, so, recently, they decided to…
Crisis & Disaster Response
Local Churches Respond to Greece Refugee Crisis
Athanasios Charalampidis was born in northern Greece and raised in Athens. He has worked with Samaritan’s Purse in Greece since 2015 and leads a project that assists the persecuted church. Thousands of refugees from war-torn countries in Africa, Asia, and the Middle East have moved into Greece, presenting local churches with the opportunity to reach…
Crisis & Disaster Response
Samaritan’s Purse Rushing Relief to Sudanese Refugees in Chad
Our DC-8 aircraft left North Carolina on July 26 headed to Chad’s capital, N’Djamena, with urgently needed relief for those who’ve fled fighting in neighboring Sudan. Once our plane lands and is unloaded, transport trucks will then carry the emergency supplies to refugee camps along the country’s rugged, eastern edge. The relief includes nearly 900…
