Samaritan's Purse sending its Disaster Relief Unit to Sussex Corner, NB, in response to flooding

Will recruit volunteers & help with flood recovery; also monitoring high water levels in other provinces

CALGARY, April 17, 2014 /CNW/ - Samaritan's Purse Canada is sending its specially equipped Disaster Relief Unit to the southern New Brunswick village of Sussex Corner and will recruit volunteers to clean up homes in response to flooding sparked by high water levels and ice jams. The village of 1,500 has declared a state of emergency and is requesting assistance.

"We have been monitoring the situation to gather information about the damage, and we are in contact with churches and other non-government partners in the area to provide a coordinated response," said Fred Weiss, Samaritan's Purse Canada's executive director.

The Christian relief and development organization, in preparation for the clean-up, is meeting with local homeowners, recruiting and training volunteers, and driving its Moncton-based Disaster Relief Unit to Sussex Corner.

The Disaster Relief Unit is a tractor trailor outfitted with essential disaster recovery equipment including generators, pumps, hand tools, and safety gear for volunteers. It also serves as a volunteer coordination center, and is equipped with a self-contained office, communications system, and other supplies.

More than 100 homes have been damaged in Sussex Corner. Anyone who needs assistance, or wants to volunteer to clean up flooded homes, can call 1-866-628-6565. "We are very excited to have Samaritan's Purse become part of our community recovery efforts," said Sussex Corner Mayor Steven Gillies.

Samaritan's Purse has other Disaster Relief Units based in southern Ontario and in Calgary, and is monitoring water levels in several other provinces to determine whether it will need to initiate more flood responses soon.

In recent years, the non-profit organization has responded to a wide variety of natural disasters including flooding in New Brunswick (2008, 2010, and 2012), in Quebec and in British Columbia, plus forest fires in Slave Lake, AB, and massive flooding last June in southern Alberta. Its "sister" organization, the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association of Canada, often helps by providing specially trained chaplains to comfort and pray with disaster victims. Billy Graham Rapid Response Team chaplains will be in Sussex Corner.

Samaritan's Purse also responds to international disasters including the enormous earthquake in Haiti in 2010, the devastating earthquake/tsunami in Japan in 2011, and Typhoon Haiyan in the Philippines in 2013. The Calgary-based charity is continuing to assist in Haiti and the Philippines.

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 Canada is an international Christian relief and development organization that aids victims of war, disease, disaster, poverty, famine, and persecution. The Calgary-based charity also operates Operation Christmas Child, which sends gift-filled shoeboxes to hurting children worldwide. Visit SamaritansPurse.ca to learn more.

SOURCE: Samaritan's Purse Canada

Media Inquiries: Frank King, Communications Manager, Samaritan's Purse Canada, 403-990-0161 (mobile) or [email protected]