Our Work

Responding in Times of Need

Samaritan’s Purse responds to humanitarian crisis with physical aid and a message of spiritual hope for victims of war, famine, poverty and natural disasters. Emergency relief may include safe water, food, shelter, emergency shelter kits, medical supplies, and personnel.

When possible, we work through our existing local partners to provide emergency relief in a time of crisis. Not only does this allow us to respond quickly, but it also strengthens the ministry of the local church or our Christian partner in their community. As our partners and staff provide physical aid, they carry with them Christ's message of hope to people trapped in desperate situations.

Current Activities

Floods Hit Southern Alberta

Heavy rain caused severe flooding in southern Alberta in June, 2010. Samaritan’s Purse deployed its Disaster Relief Unit to Medicine Hat where we are working with local churches, agencies, and volunteers from the region to manage and provide clean-up and other recovery assistance to residents. Read more about the Disaster Relief Unit and our work in Alberta.

Central America Ravaged by Tropical Storm

On May 29 and 30, 2010, Tropical Storm Agatha inundated Guatemala, Honduras, and El Salvador with torrential rains – as much as one meter in some areas – cutting off communities and claiming the lives of at least 180 people, mostly in Guatemala. Samaritan’s Purse is responding to the devastation in Central America through local Christian partners, providing relief supplies such as food, blankets, household items, and clean water. Read more about our response in Central America.

Earthquake Hits Haiti

A 7.0-magnitude earthquake rocked the desperately poor Caribbean nation January 12, 2010, toppling houses and public buildings, including a hospital, and leaving victims running through the streets in terror. Samaritan’s Purse was on the ground within 24 hours providing emergency relief including food, drinking water, cooking kits, hygiene kits, and construction materials to build emergency shelters. We are committed to the long term work of rebuilding in Haiti. We are currently focusing on distributing food, increasing access to water and sanitation, removing rubble, providing medical care, counseling and training women, and building temporary homes. Read more about our work in Haiti.

Past Activities

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.

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
Pray Please pray that God will continue to provide direction to Samaritan’s Purse, as we respond to people’s needs, share the love of Christ, and serve the church worldwide.		Give Partner with us in our mission to bring spiritual and physical aid to hurting people around the world. Donate Here.