Samaritan's Purse responding to major flooding in Calgary and southern Alberta

Christian aid organization ready to help after major flooding displaces more than 100,000 people

CALGARY, June 21, 2013 /CNW/ - Samaritan's Purse is offering assistance in the city of Calgary and the surrounding area, where torrential rainfall is causing severe flooding and has forced more than 100,000 people out of their homes.

The Canadian office of the Christian relief and development organization, which is based in northeast Calgary, away from the flooding, has activated its Disaster Assistance Response Team. Their specially-equipped Disaster Relief Units include tractor-trailer units outfitted with essential disaster recovery equipment such as generators, pumps, hand tools, and safety gear. One unit is located in Calgary and another unit is on its way from Ontario to southern Alberta.

Samaritan's Purse is coordinating with officials, church partners, and other organizations and will mobilize volunteers to help vulnerable homeowners with property reclamation and clean up, at no charge to homeowners, as flood waters recede.

Rapid Response Team chaplains from the Billy Graham Evangelical Association of Canada will be on hand to help meet spiritual and emotional needs of affected homeowners and families.

Samaritan's Purse is also helping to meet the emergency needs, including food and hygiene kits, for 1,000 evacuees from the Calgary Drop-In and Rehab Centre.

As rains and runoff water from the Rocky Mountains pummel southern Alberta, water levels on the Bow, Elbow, Highwood, and Sheep rivers have reached crisis levels, forcing thousands to seek refuge at churches, community shelters, or with family and friends.

"Samaritan's Purse has the resources and ability to mobilize volunteers and help homeowners in southern Alberta recover from this devastating flood," said Fred Weiss, Executive Director for Samaritan's Purse Canada.

"We have responded to flooding, fires, tornadoes, and many other natural disasters around the world, across Canada, and now we have an opportunity to help in our own back yard."

Samaritan's Purse is working with church partners and will be hosting information sessions for pastors and church representatives this weekend. Please check SamaritansPurse.ca for information session details.

Donations Needed
To support this urgent work, call 1-866-628-6565 (available week days and this Saturday and Sunday from 9 p.m. to 5 p.m. MST) or visit SamaritansPurse.ca.

About Samaritan's Purse Canada
Samaritan's Purse Canada is an international Christian relief and development organization working in about 45 countries to provide aid to victims of war, disease, disaster, poverty, famine, and persecution. The Calgary-based charity also operates the well-known Operation Christmas Child program that sends gift-filled shoe boxes to needy children around the world each year. Our water initiatives raise funds for life-saving BioSand Water Filters throughout the developing world. Go to SamaritansPurse.ca for more information.

SOURCE: Samaritan's Purse Canada

Media inquiries:
Carla Bregani, Senior Communications Advisor
Samaritan's Purse Canada
[phone]