Our Work
Responding in Times of Need
Current Activities
Famine in the Horn of Africa
As the world comes to grips with the scope of famine in Somalia, Kenya, and Ethiopia, Samaritan’s Purse is providing food, water, latrines, and healthcare in a corridor from Dadaab, a longtime refugee host city, to the Somali border. Learn more about how we are responding to the famine in the Horn of Africa.
Violence in Sudan
Samaritan’s Purse is providing emergency relief to refugees fleeing the violence in a disputed border area in Sudan. Learn more about how we are responding to this crisis in Sudan.
Japan
Within hours of the devastating earthquake and subsequent tsunami that struck Japan in March, Samaritan’s Purse was in contact with a network of church partners desperate to help the victims. We have been providing supplies such as food, blankets, hygiene kits, and other essentials. We are helping to mobilize local teams to clean up flooded houses with small pick-up trucks loaded with generators, power washers, and clean-up tools. Learn more about partnering with the church in Japan to bring help and hope.
Haiti
Although the emergency phase of our work in Haiti is over, Samaritan’s Purse is committed to the rebuilding of the quake-ravaged country. In addition to responding to the ongoing cholera threat, we are providing shelter, medical assistance, livelihood training, water and sanitation, food and nutrition, and rubble removal. Read more about our work in Haiti.
Past Activities
Flood Relief in Quebec (2011) Prolonged flooding damaged hundreds of homes in the Richelieu River valley in May and June. The Samaritan's Purse Disaster Relief Unit and dozens of local volunteers brought comfort and assistance to many devastated residents.
Slave Lake Fires (2011)
When forest fire swept through the small northern Alberta city in May, Samaritan’s Purse staff and volunteers took one of our Disaster Relief Units to bring help and hope to the devastated community.
Earthquake in Myanmar (2011)
Working through partners in the area, Samaritan’s Purse provided water, tarps, and food to people affected by a 6.8 magnitude earthquake that struck in northeast Myanmar, near the border with Laos and Thailand in March.
Crisis in Libya (2011)
Thousands of people fleeing violence in Libya created a refugee crisis along the borders with Tunisia and Egypt. Samaritan’s Purse equipped partners with food and other necessities to assist those stranded in the desert.
Crisis in Egypt (2011)
In the midst of political crisis that swept through Egypt in January, Samaritan’s Purse stood alongside our Christian partners in prayer for peace. We provided support for our partners to reach out into their communities through the time of turmoil.
Sri Lanka flooding (2011)
Samaritan’s Purse and our partners provided hygiene kits to hundreds of families with young babies who were affected by severe flooding Local teams were mobilized to clean up drinking water wells that had been contaminated by the flood water.
Severe weather in Vietnam (2011)
Northwest Vietnam experienced one of the coldest winters in many years and tens of thousands of cattle and other livestock died due to starvation and exposure. Samaritan’s Purse distributed emergency animal feed to rural communities who rely on livestock for their livelihoods, as well as provided winter clothing for vulnerable children.
Flooding in New Brunswick (2010)
When flooding affected the residents of Zeeland, Samaritan’s Purse sent our Disaster Response Unit to assist local volunteers with the clean-up.
Tsunami strikes Indonesia (2010)
Samaritan’s Purse and our partners responded to victims of the tsunami that struck Indonesia on October 25. Samaritan’s Purse and our partners are focused our work on the island of Sipora where seven sub-villages and two villages were destroyed.
Flooding in Pakistan (2010)
Samaritan’s Purse responded to the worst flooding to hit Pakistan in the last 80 years by supporting local partners that provided emergency aid such as food, blankets, and other essential survival items to those affected by the flooding.
Newfoundland hurricane response (2010)
After Hurricane Igor struck Newfoundland, Samaritan’s Purse deployed our Disaster Relief Unit to Bonavista, Newfoundland where we worked with local churches, agencies, and volunteers from the region to manage and provide clean-up and other recovery assistance to residents.
Southern Alberta Flooding (2010)
When heavy rains caused severe flooding in southern Alberta in June, 2010, Samaritan’s Purse deployed its Disaster Relief Unit to Medicine Hat where we worked with local churches, agencies, and volunteers from the region to manage and provide clean-up and other recovery assistance to residents.
Tropical Storm Agatha (2010)
On May 29 and 30, 2010, Tropical Storm Agatha inundated Guatemala, Honduras, and El Salvador with torrential rains cutting off communities and claiming the lives of at least 180 people, mostly in Guatemala. Samaritan’s Purse responded to the devastation in Central America through local Christian partners, providing relief supplies such as food, blankets, household items, and clean water.
Ontario Tornado (2010)
Samaritan’s Purse was on the ground coordinating volunteer clean-up efforts following a powerful tornado on June 6, 2010 in Leamington, ON.
Chile Earthquake (2010)
On February 27, 2010 a deadly 8.8-magnitude earthquake struck Chile, causing massive destruction and generating a tsunami that devastated the coast. Working with Operation Christmas Child partners in Chile and field staff from neighboring Bolivia, Samaritan’s Purse distributed desperately needed food and other emergency relief supplies in isolated areas that had received no other assistance.
Flooding in Uruguay (2010)
Historic levels of flooding displaced thousands of people from their homes. Local churches and our Operation Christmas Child partners were able to provide food, mattresses, and spiritual comfort to those affected.
Southeast Asia Relief (2009)
Killer typhoons and massive earthquakes rocked Southeast Asia and Indonesia in September 2009. These heart-breaking disasters 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 responded immediately with emergency relief and committed to long term reconstruction in the Philippines and throughout Southeast Asia.
Chilliwack Flood Relief (2009)
When an unfortunate combination of freezing temperatures, close-to-record snowfall, and enormous amounts of rain caused massive flooding in January, 2009, in British Columbia’s Fraser Valley, Samaritan’s Purse moved quickly to mobilize our Disaster Relief Unit. Together with local volunteers we provided aid to more than 65 families in Chilliwack who were forced out of their badly damaged homes by the flooding.
Caribbean Hurricane Relief (2008)
Three major storms hit the island nation of Haiti in the span of a month during hurricane season. Samaritan’s Purse is worked with a local Christian partner to supply food parcels and a glimmer of hope to those most hurt by the disaster. Our partner identified many families that were struggling to remove thick mud and flood debris from their homes and together we were able to provide assistance to these families in order to conduct the necessary repairs.
Crisis in Congo (2008)
Samaritan’s Purse brought humanitarian relief to thousands of people displaced by fighting between the forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo and rebel forces. In addition to water purification and pit latrines for an Internally Displaced Persons camp, we provided medical care and relief items such blankets and shelter construction materials.
Zimbabwe Cholera Outbreak (2008)
In response to a deadly cholera outbreak, Samaritan’s Purse supported a medical mission with much-needed resources, such as IV fluids, antibiotics, needles, gloves, and other equipment.
China Earthquake (2008)
After the May, 2008 earthquake in China that left over 14 million people homeless, Samaritan’s Purse has been working through local partners and staff in the region to immediately provide aid. We delivered shelter materials for 3,400 families, 15,000 blankets, hygiene packs, medical kits, and six community water filtration units that meet the daily water needs of 18,000 people.
Myanmar Cyclone (2008)
Samaritan’s Purse is working through staff and local partners to provide desperately needed aid following the devastating cyclone that swept across Myanmar in May, 2008. In the first week, we focused on distributing food – 22.5 metric tons of rice – and safe water. Since then, we have also delivered enough PuR household water purification kits to treat two million liters of water, emergency shelter materials, additional food kits, blankets, medical kits, and clothing.
Canada Flooding (2008)
Following recent flooding in the province of New Brunswick, Samaritan’s Purse Canada deployed its Disaster Relief Unit and is equipping local volunteers to help with flood clean-up and recovery. Many of the people we have helped are elderly, disabled, facing medical problems, or otherwise unable to tackle the massive job of clean-up on their own.
Darfur Crisis (2004 – current)
Samaritan’s Purse provides ongoing aid in this region, primarily through food relief and the provision of medical supplies, but also through agriculture and education projects.
Nicaragua Hurricane (2007-2008)
After Hurricane Felix, Relief Teams of Canadian volunteers rebuilt homes in the hardest hit rural villages, for needy families with no means to rebuild.
Peru Earthquake (2007)
We provided emergency relief like shelter materials, blankets, stoves and other supplies, and provided emergency food for thousands. Samaritan’s Purse also sent Relief Teams to assist with rubble removal and demolition at schools and churches, and provided counsel and support to the local community.
Canada Flooding (2007)
Dispatched our Disaster Relief Unit after spring floods damaged homes in the Terrace, British Columbia area. Around 130 volunteers from across Canada and the local region provided approximately 3,000 hours of work cleaning out homes.
Indonesia Flooding (2007)
In the Jakarta area, we provided clothing and much needed supplies as well as pesticides for killing mosquitoes, to stop the spread of dengue and malaria.
Indonesia (Sumatra) Earthquake (2007)
In Sumatra, we worked with the international community to conduct disaster assessments. We also operated a mobile medical clinic, and distributed relief supplies such as shelter tarps, blankets, water buckets, and mosquito nets.
Mozambique Flooding (2007)
We provided relief supplies, food, and education to thousands living in camps. We also constructed a community-scale 15,000 litre water filtration system for the Chimbue camp. Along with the filtration system, we dug latrines, and provided health and hygiene training to over 1,500 families.
United States Flooding (2006)
We dispatched our Disaster Relief Unit and equipped over 200 Canadian and American volunteers who helped in 27 communities in New York and Pennsylvania clean up after summer floods, winds, and rains devastated neighbourhoods and destroyed businesses.
Israel-Hezbollah War (2006)
We provided recovery assistance and 150 tons of aid, including food, cooking supplies, blankets, shelter materials, and other essential supplies to thousands of displaced families.
Indonesia (Yogyakarta) Earthquake (2006)
We focused on providing relief supplies, water, and shelter to persons whose homes had been destroyed in the 7.6 magnitude quake. Our teams also worked to clean wells, remove debris, and eventually began building earthquake resistant homes.
United States Hurricanes (2005)
Our Disaster Relief Unit mobilized and equipped more than 200 Canadian volunteers who made emergency repairs and helped with massive clean-up efforts for 566 homes in Gulfport, Mississippi after Hurricane Katrina devastated the area.
Indian Ocean Tsunami (2005)
Samaritan’s Purse helped tens of thousands of families in Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Thailand, and India recover from the devastating earthquake and tsunami that struck Dec. 26, 2004. Our projects included the Kalmunai water project in Sri Lanka, a counseling centre in Thailand, a Women’s Vocational Training Centre in Indonesia, and the distribution of relief supplies in many affected areas, including the Aceh province of Indonesia.
Niger Famine (2005)
We established 14 therapeutic feeding centres for mothers and babies severely malnourished due to years of crop failure. Patients were provided with livestock, rations, mosquito netting, and water filtration supplies upon discharge.
Pakistan Earthquake (2005)
Samaritan’s Purse provided relief supplies and temporary shelters as winter set in. As relief moved into redevelopment, we began operating water provision programs, reforestation projects, and school construction efforts.
Hurricane Ivan (2004)
We mobilized Relief Teams to construct temporary shelters for displaced families in Grenada.
Iraq War (2003)
Samaritan’s Purse distributed medical and relief supplies to those in need.
Afghanistan War (2001)
We provided relief and education programs to people affected by the conflict.
Kosovo Civil War (1999)
Samaritan’s Purse provided relief supplies, housing, and education programs to victims of the conflict.
Honduras Hurricane (1998)
We aided rebuilding houses in Honduras after Hurricane Mitch destroyed thousands of homes and left families displaced.
Rwanda Civil War (1994)
Samaritan’s Purse responded to the horrifying conflict and constructed a field hospital.
Somalia Civil War (1992)
We provided medical and food assistance to those caught in the crisis.
Bangladesh Cyclone (1991)
Samaritan’s purse responded with emergency relief for survivors of the devastating cyclone.
Ways You Can Help
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Pray
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