ERBIL, Iraq, Jan. 13, 2017 —Samaritan's Purse President Franklin Graham dedicated the organization's state-of-the-art trauma facility, which is now treating people who have sustained injuries as Iraqi and coalition forces fight ISIS militants for control of Mosul. Victims injured in the intense fighting, including women and children who have been caught in the crossfire, are now receiving critically needed care by the organization's medical teams at the hospital.
At the dedication, Graham shared the story of the Good Samaritan, saying, "At Samaritan's Purse, we want to show God's love to everyone. We show the same love and compassion for each and every one because that's what Jesus Christ would have us do."
Graham also watched first-hand as the organization's doctors received and provided treatment for victims of a car bomb. He encouraged the Samaritan's Purse team who is working day and night to care for patients who might otherwise have no hope of survival.
Iraqi government officials and other dignitaries, including Lise Grande—the United Nations humanitarian coordinator for Iraq—joined Graham for the dedication event. In her remarks, Grande made special mention of the critical role Samaritan's Purse is playing in this situation: "You stepped forward...you built this hospital in record time. Most of all, we want to thank you for saving people. Because Samaritan's Purse is here, thousands—tens of thousands—of people will survive."
This hospital will be open for a minimum of six months before being handed over to the Iraqi Ministry of Health, helping those who may not have access to medical care otherwise.
The emergency field hospital was airlifted to the country and arrived on Christmas Day. Dozens of Samaritan's Purse medical professionals are serving at the hospital, offering urgently needed trauma care. The hospital includes two operating rooms, an intensive care unit and 54 inpatient beds. In partnership with the Iraqi Ministry of Health, the hospital will provide immediate medical care for people injured by gunfire, mines and other explosives, who might not have survived before reaching the nearest permanent hospital, which is located in Erbil.
MEDIA RESOURCES: Photos of the emergency field hospital in operation east of Mosul B-roll and photos of the airlift and assembly of the emergency field hospital Interviews with Ken Isaacs, Samaritan's Purse vice president of programs and government relations Interviews with Matthew Nowery, Samaritan's Purse country director based in Iraq Interviews with medical personnel deploying to Iraq to staff the emergency field hospitalSince the battle for control of Mosul began in October, Samaritan's Purse has provided food assistance to more than 130,000 people in multiple displacement camps. The organization has also supplied clean water, blankets, tarpaulin for shelters, hygiene kits, cooking kits and shoes to displaced families and people returning to towns and villages no longer held by terrorists.
Recently, Samaritan's Purse began offering nutrition education in refugee camps and installed shelters in three of the camps, which function as safe spaces for women to breastfeed.
Samaritan's Purse has served the people of Iraq during times of need on numerous occasions for more than two decades, and has—with its latest initiative—maintained a continuous presence in the country since 2008.
About Samaritan's PurseSamaritan’s Purse responds to the physical and spiritual needs of individuals in crisis situations. Led by 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 www.samaritanspurse.org.
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