Samaritan's Purse aiding Mosul residents as they flee battle to defeat ISIS terrorists

Christian relief and development organization providing water, food, hygiene kits, and more

CALGARY, Oct. 21, 2016 /CNW/ - Samaritan's Purse is helping people fleeing for their lives as Kurdish and Iraqi forces continue to fight ISIS terrorists in and around the ancient Iraqi city of Mosul.

The Christian international relief and development organization is distributing bottled water, blankets, hygiene kits, and cooking kits as the city's residents desperately try to avoid getting caught in the crossfire between the liberation forces and ISIS.

Samaritan's Purse is also working with the United Nations' World Food Program to distribute food rations to as many as 180,000 internally displaced persons (IDPs). These IDPs are in camps constructed east of Mosul, a city of more than one million people that was known as Ninevah in the Bible's Old Testament.

"The people of Mosul have gone from living under the terrifying rule of ISIS to fleeing from their homes as the battle to liberate their city comes right into their own neighborhoods," said Fred Weiss, Executive Director of Samaritan's Purse Canada. "They desperately need the help of all Canadians."

Samaritan's Purse has worked in Iraq since 2007 and is continuing to provide physical and spiritual aid for thousands of Christians, Yazidis, and others who escaped ISIS brutality in 2014 and 2015. The aid has included water, sanitation and hygiene training, counseling for sexual and physical violence victims, vocational training, operating a community center, and creating safe spaces for children.

"There has been so much violence and grief and trauma in this region," said Weiss. "We're doing everything possible to ensure Iraqis know that God – and Canadians – care deeply for them."

Donations Needed: Canadians can donate to Samaritan's Purse disaster relief work in the Middle East and around the world by calling 1-800-663-6500 or visiting SamaritansPurse.ca

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, and providing vocational skills and 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, 1-800-663-6500 (work) or 403-990-0161 (mobile), [email protected]