Samaritan's Purse helping Ottawa flood victims
Christian relief agency deploys specially equipped transport truck, begins recruiting volunteers to clean out damaged homes; marks third time in three years that agency helping area homeowners
CALGARY, May 13, 2019 /CNW/ - Samaritan's Purse Canada is helping flood victims in Ottawa by sending one of its specially equipped Disaster Relief Units to the water-logged region, and recruiting volunteers to clean up damaged homes.
"This is a traumatic situation, especially for homeowners who have been flooded multiple times, and we're ready to do all we can to help them recover," said Brent Davis, Samaritan's Purse's Canadian ministries project director. "We're on the ground in Ottawa—connecting with churches and other non-government partners as we provide compassionate, coordinated assistance."
Heavy rainfall and a large snow melt caused the Ottawa river to reach a record-breaking level. As a result, hundreds of homes have been damaged. Flooded roads also left some homeowners isolated and fearful.
This is the third disaster in the area to which Samaritan's Purse has responded in the past three years, following flooding in 2017 and tornadoes in 2018.
Anyone needing Samaritan's Purse clean-up assistance can call 1-844-547-2664. Anyone wanting to volunteer to help clean out flooded homes should visit SamaritansPurse.ca/ONfloods2019.
"We are fortunate to have organizations like Samaritan's Purse ready and willing to help people in the aftermath of disasters," said Jim Montgomery from Ottawa's Office of Emergency Management. "Their experience and expertise will help our community recover some sense of normalcy."
Samaritan's Purse moved one of its Ontario-based Disaster Relief Unit to Ottawa so staff with the Christian relief organization can meet with area homeowners and recruit, train, and equip volunteers.
Disaster Relief Units are tractor trailers outfitted with disaster recovery equipment including generators, pumps, hand tools, and safety gear for volunteers. They also serve as volunteer coordination centers, and are equipped with a self-contained office, communications system, and other supplies. Samaritan's Purse has three other Disaster Relief Units. One is in New Brunswick, where the organization is helping victims of the flooding St. John River. The other two are stationed in Calgary.
In recent years, Samaritan's Purse has assisted victims of a wide variety of Canadian and international natural disasters including flooding in British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick, and Nova Scotia, plus tornadoes in Ontario, and forest fires in British Columbia and Alberta.
Samaritan's Purse's "sister" organization, the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association of Canada, often helps by providing crisis-trained chaplains to comfort and pray with disaster victims and volunteers. Billy Graham Rapid Response Team chaplains are in Ottawa to work alongside Samaritan's Purse volunteers.
Donations Needed
To support Samaritan's Purse's disaster relief efforts, please visit SamaritansPurse.ca (click on "Donate") or call 1-800-663-6500.
About Samaritan's Purse Canada
Samaritan's Purse is a Christian relief and development organization that takes its name from Jesus Christ's biblical story of the Good Samaritan. Like that Good Samaritan, who found a beaten man and helped restore him, we aid victims of war, disease, disaster, poverty, famine, and persecution. Besides disaster relief, our work includes collecting and distributing gift-filled Operation Christmas Child shoeboxes, providing safe water, teaching vocational skills, and providing agricultural supplies and training to families in the developing world. Learn more at SamaritansPurse.ca.
SOURCE Samaritan's Purse Canada
Media Inquiries: Frank King, News Media Relations Manager, Samaritan's Purse Canada, 403-990-0161 (mobile), [email protected]
Share this article