Cargo Flights Race Clock as Clean Water Becomes Scarce

Samaritan's Purse Teams Fast-Tracks Immediate Clean Water Relief

PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti, Jan. 19, 2010— As supplies dwindle, Samaritan's Purse mobilizes a second wave of disaster relief - sending convoys of vehicles and heavy machinery to Ft. Pierce, Fla. - to aid disaster relief experts and medical personnel already on the ground in Haiti.

"I've provided medical aid following many disasters, but this is some of the worst I've seen," said Dr. David Gettle, who arrived in Haiti Jan. 13.  "The wounded and sick are coming to us by the busloads."

Gettle and other Samaritan's Purse staff are currently working from Baptist Haiti Mission, a 100 bed hospital that is overloaded with more than 300 patients. 

Samaritan's Purse is currently responding to the disaster by providing:

• 18 doctors and medical staff
• 31 disaster relief experts, including water engineers
• 9,900 blankets
• 842 rolls of plastic for temporary shelter
• 2,880 hygiene kits
• 1,152 jerry cans for clean water
• 2,200 flashlights
• 113,520 water purification sachets
• 784 water purification kits
• 12 community water filters that can provide 10,000 gallons of clean drinking water a day
• 11 pallets of supplies for the community water filters
• 13 pallets of medical supplies
• 3 vehicles

Three additional Samaritan's Purse relief flights with staff, medical personnel and supplies are being coordinated for later this week.

"Our hearts and prayers are with the people of Haiti right now," said Franklin Graham, president of Samaritan's Purse.  "I've personally been to Haiti several times, and our organization has worked in the country for more than 30 years.  We will use every resource we have available to provide relief from the suffering of these victims." 

Members of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association's Rapid Response Team are working with Samaritan's Purse to help victims of Haiti's earthquake.  Three chaplains who have been specially trained to offer emotional and spiritual care in crisis situations are in Haiti to help earthquake victims as they deal with the emotional trauma of the disaster.

 

Interview Opportunities:

• From the U.S.:  Ken Isaacs, 20+ year veteran of international aid in 140 countries, head of international projects

• From Haiti:  Dr. David Gettle, 10+ year veteran of international aid, specializes in emergency medicine

Donations: 

• Visit www.samaritanspurse.org
  
• Call (800) 528-1980
• Text SP to 85944 to donate $10

Samaritan's Purse is a non-profit organization that provides immediate, no-red-tape response to the physical and spiritual needs of individuals in crisis situations. Samaritan's Purse has worked in more than 100 countries to provide aid to victims of war, disease, disaster, poverty, famine and persecution.

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