Samaritan's Purse helping New Brunswick flood victims
Christian relief agency sending specially equipped Disaster Relief Unit, recruiting clean-up volunteers
CALGARY, May 4, 2018 /CNW/ - Samaritan's Purse Canada is helping New Brunswick's flood victims by sending one of its specially equipped Disaster Relief Units to the water-logged province, and recruiting volunteers to clean damaged homes.
Community leaders have welcomed the assistance, in response to New Brunswick's record-high spring flood levels.
"Many people in the province are really struggling, and we want to come alongside them," said Tammy Suitor, Samaritan's Purse Canada's disaster relief manager. "Our field teams are assessing the situation and waiting for the water to recede so we can begin clean-up. We're in contact with churches, municipal officials, and other non-government partners in the area to provide a coordinated response."
Heavy rainfall and rapid snow melt have caused the St. John and Kennebecasis rivers to spill their banks. As a result, thousands of homes have been damaged in communities along the rivers. Roads have also been flooded?leaving many homeowners isolated and fearful.
Anyone needing Samaritan's Purse clean-up assistance can call 1-844-547-2663. Anyone who wants to volunteer to help clean out flooded homes should visit SamaritansPurse.ca/NBFlood2018.
"We're grateful to have Samaritan's Purse ready and willing to help New Brunswick residents recover from this flooding," said Lisa Munn, recovery manager with the province's Emergency Measures Office. "We know from past experience that the organization is well-equipped to work efficiently and with compassion."
Samaritan's Purse is driving its Ontario-based Disaster Relief Unit to New Brunswick so staff with the Christian relief organization can meet with area homeowners and start recruiting and training volunteers.
Disaster Relief Units are tractor trailers outfitted with essential disaster recovery equipment including generators, pumps, hand tools, and safety gear for volunteers. They also serve as volunteer coordination centers, and are equipped with a self-contained office, communications system, and other supplies. Samaritan's Purse has one other Disaster Relief Unit, based at the organization's Calgary headquarters.
In recent years, Samaritan's Purse has helped victims of a wide variety of Canadian and international natural disasters including flooding in New Brunswick in 2014, 2012, 2010 and 2008; the catastrophic 2016 wildfire in Fort McMurray, Alberta; and flooding in Quebec, southern Alberta, Nova Scotia, and British Columbia.
Samaritan's Purse's "sister" organization, the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association of Canada, often helps by providing crisis-trained chaplains to comfort and pray with disaster victims. Billy Graham Rapid Response Team chaplains will be in New Brunswick.
Donations Needed
To support Samaritan's Purse's disaster relief efforts, please visit SamaritansPurse.ca (click on "Donate") or call 1-800-663-6500.
About Samaritan's Purse Canada
Samaritan's Purse is a Christian relief and development organization that takes its name from Jesus Christ's biblical story of the Good Samaritan. Like that Good Samaritan, who found a beaten man and helped restore him, we aid victims of war, disease, disaster, poverty, famine, and persecution. Besides disaster relief, our work includes collecting and distributing gift-filled Operation Christmas Child shoeboxes, providing safe water, teaching vocational skills, and providing agricultural supplies and training to families in the developing world. Learn more at SamaritansPurse.ca.
SOURCE Samaritan's Purse Canada
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