Samaritan's Purse responds to Asian disasters

    
    Christian relief organization rushing to help after typhoon, earthquakes,
    flooding and tsunami
    

CALGARY , Oct. 1 /CNW/ - Samaritan's Purse is responding to a variety of natural disasters in Asia and the South Pacific, including a killer typhoon that swept across the Philippines and Southeast Asia, two massive earthquakes that have rocked western Indonesia , torrential rains that have caused widespread flooding in Vietnam, and a towering tsunami that has devastated the Samoan Islands in the South Pacific.

These heart-breaking tragedies in recent days have claimed the lives of hundreds of people, and left hundreds of thousands more in dire need of food, shelter, clean water, and medical care.

Samaritan's Purse Canada is implementing emergency help in Indonesia and the Philippines . The Christian relief and development organization has long-standing partnerships with local organizations. Based on its past experience, Samaritan's Purse Canada is preparing to provide food, drinking water, cooking kits, hygiene kits, and construction materials to build temporary shelters. Colleagues in other Samaritan's Purse offices are joining in this effort, and providing similar emergency relief in Vietnam and the Samoans.

As the winds die down, the waters recede, and disaster survivors climb out of the rubble, Samaritan's Purse will also initiate recovery efforts, using the experience gained during a wide variety of past disaster recovery initiatives, including after the horrific tsunami that pounded the Indonesian island of Sumatra and other Indian Ocean nations in late 2004.

Following that disaster, Samaritan's Purse provided aid to tens of thousands of people through the provision of temporary housing, shelter materials, blankets, cooking supplies, emergency rations, and mosquito nets. In addition we were able to help in the recovery of these nations with the construction of thousands of homes, numerous schools and other buildings, while also restoring livelihoods through the projects such as replacing and outfitting fishing boats and a vocational training center.

"Relief and recovery efforts in coming weeks are crucial," warned Fred Weiss , Samaritan's Purse Canada's executive director. "Without adequate food, shelter, and other necessities, the most vulnerable - children, women, and the elderly - could fall prey to malnutrition and disease. People need help, and they need hope. We are committed to providing both, and we're asking Canadians to partner with us in making that happen."

Donations Needed

To support this urgent relief and recovery work, call 1-800-663-6500 or visit www.samaritanspurse.ca.

About Samaritan's Purse Canada

Samaritan's Purse Canada is an international Christian relief and development organization working in about 70 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, and the Turn on the Tap initiative that raises funds for life-saving BioSand Water Filters in the developing world. Go to www.samaritanspurse.ca for more information.

For further information: Media Inquiries: Jeff Adams, Communications Director, 1-800-663-6500 or [phone], [email protected]