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Canadian Community Response - 080653 Canadian Disaster Relief

Samaritan's Purse serves six flooded communities in Ontario

Video courtesy of RLife Productions

Samaritan’s Purse’s Disaster Relief Unit was in Belleville, Ontario from May 1 to 21, 2014 responding to requests for help from local authorities after spring flooding damaged hundreds of homes.

Rain and fast-melting spring run-off caused the Trent and Moira river systems to flood communities across Hastings County, east of Oshawa. Our response served Belleville, Hastings County, Foxboro, Tweed, Cambellford, and Trent Hills.

“Hastings County is happy to have Samaritan’s Purse come to assist with flood recovery,” said John O’Donnell, Community Emergency Management Coordinator with Hastings-Quinte Paramedic Services.

Our Disaster Relief   Units (DRUs) are specially-equipped tractor trailers stocked with generators, pumps, hand tools, and safety gear to equip staff and volunteers to share God’s love in a tangible way with hurting people. Samaritan’s Purse has three Disaster Relief Units—in southern Ontario, New Brunswick, and Calgary.

Volunteers began  help with the clean-up efforts on May 5. The response from local churches and the community was very positive, with dozens of volunteers signing up to help after presentations were made during Sunday services. In total, 33  projects were completed and 136 volunteers contributed 1,084 hours.

Samaritan’s Purse  partnered  with Rapid Response Team Chaplains from the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association to help meet the emotional and spiritual needs of flood  survivors and volunteers. There were more than 50 ministry opportunities and one volunteer committed her life to Christ.

Related News Coverage:

“Samaritans To The Rescue” written by Luke Hendry, Published by Belleville Intelligencer on Friday, May 2, 2014

“Volunteers Answer Charity’s Call” written by Jerome Lessard, Published by Community Press on Monday, May 5, 2014

“Good Samaritans Clean Up After Flood” written by Jerome Lessard, Published by Belleville Intelligencer on Sunday, May 9, 2014

Click here to read more about our flood response in Burlington.

Click here to learn more about our response to the flooding in the Sussex, New Brunswick area

 

Canadian Community Response - 080653 Canadian Disaster Relief

Help Samaritan’s Purse strengthen the impact of local churches in communities recovering in the aftermath of disasters. As caring Christians are trained and empowered to walk alongside individuals and families to find solutions to complex needs, God opens doors to share the Gospel.