Samaritan’s Purse 757 aircraft left Greensboro, North Carolina, this morning for Mexico City with 22 tons of relief supplies on board for hurricane survivors in Acapulco, Mexico. Tomorrow, our DC-8 aircraft will also follow a similar flight pattern to continue bringing aid to those suffering from the devastating effects of Hurricane Otis.
The 757 is packed full of plastic tarps, solar lights, buckets, and household water filters for 3,200 families. The DC-8 will carry hygiene kits, jerry cans, and water purification systems that can produce clean drinking water for up to 40,000 people a day. These desalinization filters are in especially high demand because the storm leveled the power lines in Acapulco, prohibiting their existing water system from pumping water to the area.
The Mexican government will assist us in transporting the relief supplies from Mexico City to the areas of greatest need in Acapulco. Our Disaster Assistance Response Team is on the ground to work together with local church partners in distributing these items, as well as much needed food, to survivors.
Hurricane Otis surprised the popular resort town in the early hours of Oct. 25 when what was expected to be a tropical storm quickly turned into a Category 5 hurricane. In less than 12 hours, wind speeds more than doubled from 70 mph to 165 mph, tearing apart high-rise hotels, as well as more than 270,000 homes. Sadly, more than 45 people were killed and roughly as many are still missing from what is noted to be the strongest hurricane to strike the eastern Pacific.
Please pray for those who are suffering in Acapulco as well as for the Samaritan’s Purse teams who are serving them in Jesus’ Name.
Samaritan's Purse responds to the urgent needs of families devastated by the wind, rain, and storm surge of catastrophic hurricanes. Whether internationally or here in Canada, we bring emergency relief and practical help in the Name of Jesus Christ to hurting people.