Samaritan's Purse is the first international organization to provide emergency medical relief to families impacted by the deadly COVID-19 outbreak in northern Italy. The international Christian relief organization deployed its Emergency Field Hospital and more than 60 disaster response specialists—including respiratory therapists, doctors, nurses, lab technicians, water and sanitation specialists, and other support staff—to set up outside of Milan, Italy, where the coronavirus pandemic has overwhelmed the local medical capacity. The 68-bed Emergency Field Hospital has a unique layout with specialized respiratory equipment to provide the highest level care to patients who are suffering from the virus.
Media Contact Kaitlyn Lahm (828) 406-0365 klahm@samaritan.org PhotosThese photographs are available for news media outlet use in coverage of Samaritan’s Purse-related stories. If your news outlet uses a photograph, please credit: “Courtesy of Samaritan’s Purse.” These photographs are not for commercial use.
COVID-19 Italy Response March 2020
The Emergency Field Hospital is mobile and ready for rapid deployment to provide emergency relief in disaster-stricken areas where medical infrastructure is damaged, overwhelmed, or nonexistent.
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COVID-19 Italy Response March 2020
Samaritan's Purse airlifted a 68-bed Emergency Field Hospital and 32 disaster response specialists including respiratory therapists, doctors and nurses to aid thousands affected by the Coronavirus in Italy.
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COVID-19 Italy Response March 2020
Samaritan's Purse airlifted a 68-bed Emergency Field Hospital and 32 disaster response specialists including respiratory therapists, doctors and nurses to aid thousands affected by the Coronavirus in Italy.
Download
COVID-19 Italy Response March 2020
The DC-8 cargo plane carried more than 20 tons of medical equipment to northern Italy—including a specialized respiratory care unit developed specifically in response to COVID-19, and 32 disaster response specialists including respiratory therapists, doctors, and nurses.
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COVID-19 Italy Response March 2020
On March 17, Samaritan's Purse airlifted a 68-bed Emergency Field Hospital and 32 disaster response specialists including respiratory therapists, doctors and nurses to aid thousands affected by the Coronavirus in Italy.
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COVID-19 Italy Response March 2020
On March 17, Samaritan's Purse airlifted a 68-bed Emergency Field Hospital and 32 disaster response specialists including respiratory therapists, doctors and nurses to aid thousands affected by the Coronavirus in Italy.
Download
COVID-19 Italy Response March 2020
On March 17, Samaritan's Purse airlifted a 68-bed Emergency Field Hospital and 32 disaster response specialists including respiratory therapists, doctors and nurses to aid thousands affected by the Coronavirus in Italy.
Download
COVID-19 Italy Response March 2020
The Samaritan's Purse DC-8 cargo plane will airlift a 68-bed Emergency Field Hospital to aid families impacted by the Coronavirus in northern Italy.
Download
COVID-19 Italy Response March 2020
The Samaritan's Purse Emergency Field Hospital is mobile and ready for rapid deployment to provide emergency relief in disaster-stricken areas where medical infrastructure is damaged, overwhelmed or nonexistent. The hospital will be airlifted along with 32 disaster response specialists to aid those impacted by the Coronavirus outside Milan, Italy.
Download
COVID-19 Italy Response March 2020
The Samaritan's Purse DC-8 aircraft will carry a 68-bed Emergency Field Hospital and a team of 32 disaster response specialists to aid thousands impacted by the Coronavirus in Italy.
Download
COVID-19 Italy Response March 2020
Samaritan’s Purse is the first international organization to provide emergency medical relief to families impacted by the deadly COVID-19 outbreak in northern Italy.
Download
COVID-19 Italy Response March 2020
The Samaritan's Purse Emergency Field Hospital will be set up outside of Milan, Italy, where the coronavirus pandemic has overwhelmed the local medical capacity.
Download
COVID-19 Italy Response March 2020
The Samaritan's Purse Emergency Field Hospital is mobile and ready for rapid deployment to provide emergency relief in disaster-stricken areas where medical infrastructure is damaged, overwhelmed or nonexistent.
Download
COVID-19 Italy Response March 2020
Samaritan's Purse is setting up a 68-bed Emergency Field Hospital outside of Milan, Italy to provide life-saving care as many suffer from COVID-19.
Download
COVID-19 Italy Response March 2020
Samaritan's Purse is airlifting a 68-bed Emergency Field Hospital and 32 disaster response specialists including respiratory therapists, doctors and nurses to aid thousands affected by the Coronavirus in Italy.
Download B-roll Your browser doesn't support embedded videos. DC-8_Airlift to Italy Run Time 0:46 Download Your browser doesn't support embedded videos. COVID-19 Italy Response Run Time 1:35 Download Press Releases Mar. 16 Samaritan's Purse Responding to COVID-19 Crisis in ItalyDC-8 Cargo Plane To Airlift Emergency Field Hospital, Medical Team, and Critical Aid Read full Press Release
Approved Quotes Franklin Graham March 16“We are going to Italy to provide life-saving care in Jesus' Name to people who are suffering,” said Franklin Graham, “There is a lot of fear and panic around the world, but we put our trust in God—and we want to share that hope with others. Please continue to pray for everyone affected by this global health crisis and for our medical team as they respond.”
Edward Graham March 17“It is important to go to Italy. They are overwhelmed and on fire from this virus,” said Edward Graham, assistant to the vice president of programs and government relations. “This is what we do. We share the hope of Jesus Christ in a time of crisis.”
Kelly Sites March 17“We are prepared for whatever may happen. This is what keeps us going back time and time again—to be the hands and feet of Christ and get to bring hope,” said Kelly Sites, Samaritan’s Purse nurse deploying to Italy. “The whole world is scared right now. It's an amazing blessing to be able to help the medical staff there. They are very overwhelmed and working hard, and we will be able to help with that burden.”
Fact Sheets Emergency Field Hospital DC-8 Cargo Aircraft