Samaritan’s Purse sent a major airlift of food and relief supplies to families in Gaza who continue to suffer two years after the start of the war. Franklin Graham, president and CEO of the international Christian relief organization, was on site in Greensboro to pray with the aviation team before the aircraft departed on Saturday, Oct. 25.
“Father, we thank you for each one here. We thank you for the work you’re allowing us to do,” Graham prayed. “Father, we pray over this cargo and for the many families it will help. We ask for your help as we deliver it. This is all for your glory. In Jesus’ Name we pray, amen.”
On this flight, Samaritan’s Purse is delivering more than 290,000 packets of vitamin-rich, peanut-based supplementary food for women and children, along with 12,000 blankets, 12,000 solar lights, and other essential relief items. The organization’s disaster response specialists are already on the ground in the Middle East, working to bring help and hope to families in Gaza.
“Hamas not only held 251 innocent people hostage from Israel, but they also held the entire population of Gaza hostage for more than 15 years,” said Graham in an earlier statement. “They executed anyone who spoke out against them, as we witnessed on the streets of Gaza last week. We pray this flight will bring relief to people who are suffering.”
Samaritan’s Purse began working in Israel and Gaza immediately after the conflict began two years ago. The organization has delivered more than 223 tons of supplemental food and distributed over 1 million food rations. Its medical teams have also treated more than 1,700 patients.
In addition to these relief efforts in Gaza, Samaritan’s Purse continues to assist communities in Israel that are still recovering from the trauma and devastation of war. The organization is providing 42 ambulances—28 of which are armored—for Magen David Adom, Israel’s emergency services provider. Samaritan’s Purse also has 11 major construction projects in Israel including two ambulance response stations, nine community centers with bomb shelters, and an equine therapy center for youth.
