Samaritan’s Purse Disaster Relief Teams Working in New Jersey to Help Victims of Hurricane Sandy

BOONE, N.C., Nov. 1, 2012—As the East Cost is still reeling from the fury of Hurricane Sandy, disaster relief teams from the international Christian relief organization Samaritan’s Purse are on the ground in New Jersey, bringing help to devastated communities.

"Our prayers are with the victims of this terrible storm," said Samaritan's Purse President and CEO Franklin Graham. "The destruction is overwhelming, and the people desperately need our help."

Samaritan's Purse has relief experts assessing damage in storm-ravaged communities along the coast of New Jersey, where Sandy made landfall on Monday.

Just hours after the storm hit, Samaritan's Purse deployed three Disaster Relief Units from its North Carolina headquarters. These are tractor-trailers stocked with emergency supplies including chainsaws, tarps, and generators. Each unit serves as a base of operations for Samaritan’s Purse staff and volunteers during the duration of the relief efforts. Hundreds of volunteers have already signed up to work in the days and weeks ahead, putting tarps on roofs, cutting trees, cleaning debris, and removing mud and water from flooded homes.

Samaritan's Purse works closely with local churches to identify the areas where crews can be the most effective. Relief efforts focus on those who are unable to help themselves - including the poor, elderly, and uninsured.  

Samaritan's Purse has mobilized thousands of volunteers to work with its Disaster Relief Teams to provide emergency aid to disaster victims in the United States. Since 1998 when the organization equipped its first Disaster Relief Unit, Samaritan's Purse has helped more than 25,000 victims of natural disasters by quickly providing emergency supplies, repairing, cleaning and rebuilding homes. Last year, Samaritan's Purse helped more than 3,200 households affected by storms in 10 states through the efforts of more than 20,000 volunteers.

To volunteer with Samaritan's Purse, visit www.spvolunteernetwork.org. Donations to help with storm relief efforts can be made at www.samaritanspurse.org.