Samaritan’s Purse (Boone, NC) is an American based charity that is providing relief aid to the victims of the cyclone in Burma (Myanmar) and the earthquake in China. Samaritan’s Purse is led by Franklin Graham, son of Billy Graham, and for over 35 years has worked to provide food, medicine, shelter, clothing, education and other assistance that demonstrates the compassion of Jesus Christ.

Samaritan’s Purse has worked in Burma beginning in 1970 and is currently providing food, clean water, blankets, hygiene items, rice, fuel, rainwater harvesting systems and other assistance to the cyclone victims through a network of church partners. Samaritan’s Purse has airlifted over 60 tons of emergency supplies and a large team of disaster response experts to help the victims of the cyclone, and has pledged over $1-million in relief efforts.

Enough water purification kits to provide over a half million gallons of drinkable water, 12 large scale water filtration systems that could meet the daily needs of 36,000 people, over 800 rolls of plastic for emergency shelters, 8,000 blankets, 16,000 pieces of clothing, 10,000 mosquito nets and other specific aid is being offered. Burmese Christians are also being trained to speak on public health and hygiene issues.

In China, Samaritan’s Purse has chartered a 747 cargo jet that has delivered over 90 tons of relief supplies … the first privately chartered relief flight from the U.S. to arrive in Chengdu.
The airlift to China included 1,140 rolls of heavy-duty plastic, 15,000 blankets, hygiene packets, medical kets, six large water filter systems, and other emergency supplies.

Other programs of Samaritan’s Purse include:

Operation Christmas Child - sending gift filled shoe boxes to needy children around the world.

World Medical Mission - serves Christian hospitals and clinics in Africa, Asia, Europe, Latin America and the Middle East. Volunteer dentists, physicians, and other medical personnel serve overseas in the programs.

Children’s Heart Project - children with life threatening diseases that cannot be treated in their home country are matched with American hospitals and surgeons that donate their services.

HIV/AIDS Prescription for Hope - supports programs around the world that teach prevention, offer care, reduce stigma and support orphan care.

Emergency Relief - meet critical needs of victims of war, disaster, famine and epidemics … often through local ministry partners.

Community Development - Transform villages and families with livestock and farm projects, vocational training, school construction, educational projects and other aid.

Children’s Programs- Special programs to provide food, clothing, shelter, medical care, ministry and education to children.

Evangelism - All relief projects demonstrate God’s love, and specific projects involve building churches, providing evangelism training and materials and support local ministries who are meeting the physical and spiritual needs of local families.

Worldwide offices for Samaritan’s Purse are located in Australia, Canada, U.S.A., Germany, Ireland, Netherlands, and the United Kingdom.

Information on donating to specific projects, volunteering, or learning more about their programs can be found on their website.