The strongest typhoon on record to hit Saipan has devastated the island, affecting thousands of families and leaving nearly 800 homes damaged or destroyed.
Samaritan’s Purse sent an airlift to Saipan with 27 tons of emergency shelter materials, household water filtration units, solar lights, and medical supplies. A portion of these items are being transported to the neighboring island Tinian to support relief efforts.
We also deployed a mobile medical team, of which 4 of the members of the team are Canadians, to treat typhoon-related injuries.
“Typhoon Yutu caused massive devastation on the islands of Saipan and Tinian. Hundreds of families are hurting—many of whom are now homeless and lack access to basic necessities like shelter and clean water,” said Samaritan’s Purse President Franklin Graham. “We are coming alongside them to meet their immediate physical needs while also sharing the hope of Jesus Christ. Please pray for everyone affected by the storm.”
Super Typhoon Yutu ripped through Saipan and Tinian islands on Oct. 25 with winds of up to 290 km/h—equivalent to a Category 5 hurricane. A few days later, the monster storm made landfall in the northern Philippines and killed at least nine people.
“We’ll be getting started with assessments and unloading of supplies tomorrow,” says Canadian disaster assistance response team member Katrina Annuziello. “On the DC-8, we brought tarps for 5,000 households, water filters, and solar lights. We currently have a three-person medical team. Staff are from the U.S. and Canada. Most of the island is still without power, and in our short time here, we have seen significant damage.”
“We brought these supplies to give to the most vulnerable, and we also bring with us the hope of Christ.”
Saipan is the largest of the 15 Northern Mariana Islands in the northwestern Pacific Ocean. Many homes on Saipan are still without power and it could take weeks or months for power to be restored across the island.
Please pray for those suffering in Saipan and Tinian. Pray that God will guide our teams as we respond in Jesus’ Name. Please also pray that during this tragedy, many families will experience God’s love for them.
This story was originally published on November 2.
Samaritan's Purse responds to humanitarian crises with physical aid and a message of spiritual hope for victims of natural disasters, famine, poverty, and war. Your gift will allow us to share Jesus' love through clean water, food, shelter, medical supplies, personnel, and other aid.