Samaritan’s Purse is on the ground in Mississippi after days of heavy rainfall saturated communities along the Pearl River—creating widespread devastation and displacing hundreds of families. Immediately after the river crested at a historic level, a team of disaster response specialists began working alongside local government officials and church partners to determine the areas of greatest need.
The response comes two months after the organization opened its Southwest Ministry Center in Dallas, Texas as part of a strategic initiative to stage resources across the country in order to quickly respond following a natural disaster. One of the facility’s two Disaster Relief Units— tractor-trailers stocked with tools and relief supplies—is on the way to provide critical aid.
“Mississippi families are overwhelmed and hurting after unprecedented flooding,” said Franklin Graham, president and CEO of Samaritan's Purse. “We will help them recover physically from the storm while reminding them that God loves them. Please pray for God’s peace and comfort as they get back on their feet.”
As soon as floodwaters recede, teams of volunteers from across the country will help hurting families remove waterlogged drywall, clear debris and salvage any personal belongings that may have survived the floodwaters.
Media Opportunities Interview Leroy Wentz, program manager of U.S. Disaster Relief for Samaritan's Purse, on the ground in Mississippi Interview Bruce Poss, director of North American Ministries for Samaritan's Purse on the ground in Mississippi Download high-res photos of Samaritan’s Purse U.S. Disaster Relief. Download broadcast-quality b-roll of Samaritan’s Purse U.S. Disaster Relief. On-Site Media ContactAlyssa Benson, 828.266.5029 abenson@samaritan.org
Chaplains from the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association's Rapid Response Team will work alongside Samaritan's Purse to provide emotional and spiritual encouragement to families affected by this flooding.
For more information about how to help or volunteer with Samaritan's Purse, go to spvolunteernetwork.org.
Based in Boone, North Carolina, Samaritan's Purse responds to the physical and spiritual needs of individuals in crisis situations—especially in locations where few others are working. Led by President and CEO Franklin Graham, Samaritan’s Purse works in more than 100 countries to provide aid to victims of war, disease, disaster, poverty, famine and persecution. For more information, visit SamaritansPurse.org.