Samaritan's Purse preparing to help flood victims in Ontario's Muskoka region

Christian relief organization sending advance team, then specially equipped Disaster Relief Unit

CALGARY, April 23, 2013 /CNW/ - Samaritan's Purse Canada is responding to devastating floods in Ontario's Muskoka region, where the towns of Huntsville and Bracebridge have declared a state of emergency due to massive amounts of rain and damage to households, businesses and municipal infrastructure.

"We have highly experienced employees travelling to the Muskoka region to assess the situation, to contact churches and other non-governmental partners in the area, and to determine where we can be of maximum assistance in helping these hurting people," said Fred Weiss, Samaritan's Purse Canada's executive director.

Once the initial assessment has been completed, Samaritan's Purse, working in cooperation with government agencies, will drive one of its specially equipped Disaster Relief Units to the area.

The unit, based in Caledonia, is a tractor trailor outfitted with essential disaster recovery equipment including generators, pumps, hand tools, and safety gear for volunteers. It also serves as a volunteer coordination center, and is equipped with a self-contained office, communications system, and other supplies.

Samaritan's Purse has other Disaster Relief Units based in Calgary and in Moncton, NB. In recent years, the Christian relief and development organization has responded to flooding in New Brunswick, Quebec and British Columbia; to forest fires in Slave Lake, AB; to a tornado in Leamington, ON; and to Hurricane Igor in Newfoundland.

"What Samaritan's Purse brought to our disaster was not only the ability to provide the manpower and work to fix people's homes, but the emotional support that the organization gives to the community," said Jody Price, Fire Chief of the Oromocto Fire Department in New Brunswick. Samaritan's Purse did extensive flood relief work in Oromocto.

Samaritan's Purse also responds to international disasters—including the enormous earthquake in Haiti in 2010, and the 2011 earthquake/tsunami in Japan. The Calgary-based charity is continuing to assist in Haiti.

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 Canada is an international Christian relief and development organization working in about 40 countries to help victims of war, disease, disaster, poverty, famine, and persecution. The Christian charity also operates the well-known Operation Christmas Child program that sends gift-filled shoe boxes to needy children around the world each year. In addition, we build and install thousands of life-saving BioSand Water Filters in the developing world. For more information, please visit SamaritansPurse.ca.

SOURCE: Samaritan's Purse Canada

For further information:

Media Inquiries:
Frank King.
Communications Manager
Samaritan's Purse Canada
403-990-0161 (mobile)
[e-mail]