Water filters, hygiene kits, blankets, and other critical aid headed to Ukraine

London, 9 June, 2023—Samaritan’s Purse will deploy its DC-8 aircraft today, 9 June, to transport more than 18 tonnes of relief supplies to Ukraine after a critical dam near the frontlines of the war collapsed. Tens of thousands of people have been affected and evacuations are ongoing. It has created a humanitarian crisis with severe flooding, shortages of drinking water, destroyed homes, and the threat of landmines washing into neighbourhoods.

Samaritan’s Purse responded immediately, mobilising partners and local churches to serve people in desperate need on the same day as the dam’s collapse. Staff based in Ukraine are also working tirelessly to meet the desperate needs of families who are suffering. The international Christian relief organisation is supporting local partners who are conducting water rescues for flood-stranded families while also distributing food, blankets, and other critically-needed relief items. The cargo plane will airlift additional resources such as blankets, hygiene kits, water filters, solar lights, and jerry cans. The DC-8 will fly from North Carolina, US, and land in Poland and then supplies will be trucked into Ukraine’s flood-affected Kherson region.

“As the war in Ukraine continues to bring suffering, destruction and death, my heart breaks for the families who are caught in this crisis,” said Franklin Graham, president of Samaritan’s Purse. “And now thousands of families are dealing with the disaster of this severe flooding. We are sending these life-saving supplies in Jesus’ Name and want to remind the people of Ukraine that they have not been forgotten by God. Please pray for an end to this war and for our staff and partners who are working around the clock to minister to those affected by the recent floods.”

Since the first day of the war, Samaritan’s Purse has been working to care for families impacted by violence, serving millions of people with critical aid. To date, the London based organisation has distributed almost 80,000 tonnes of food, produced 68 million litres of clean water, and treated more than 23,000 patients.

MEDIA OPPORTUNITIES

• Interview with Jonny Wilkinson, Disaster Response & Programme Coordinator for Samaritan’s Purse UK.
• Photos and b-roll of Samaritan’s Purse in Ukraine available here.

Media Contact

Emily Phillips: emily.phillips@samaritans-purse.org.uk

ABOUT SAMARITAN’S PURSE

Samaritan’s Purse is an international relief and development organisation that responds to the physical and spiritual needs of individuals in Jesus’ Name—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 Samaritans-Purse.org.uk.