PHILIPPINES — More than one month after Super Typhoon Rai slammed into the Philippines, Samaritan’s Purse is still working hard to meet the needs of remote island villages. Many of these impoverished communities are only accessible by boat, making relief efforts much more difficult.

Samaritan’s Purse continues to serve in these cut-off areas, bringing emergency relief supplies such as food, shelter material, and water filtration kits. They’re also distributing hygiene kits that include toothpaste, toothbrushes, shampoo, soap, laundry powder, hair combs, and underwear. In addition, the kits include important infection prevention items like face masks.

Ruth Santos – Samaritan’s Purse:

After Typhoon Odette, a lot of the pipes and water lines have been damaged. Broken pipes and leaks can cause contamination and waterborne diseases, which can be deadly, especially to children.

Woman:

We have no water from the primary waterline, and commercial distilled water is expensive and limited.

Man:

In the coming days and months, the people are going to need food and water. That’s what is most important. We will need support from others.

Ruth:

So we’re here now delivering water kits to the people so that they will have clean water, and we can help prevent an outbreak in this region.

Right now, our team is getting ready to connect the water treatment system to the pipe that we repaired. This water system will stay in this community for at least three months to provide safe drinking water.

Woman:

Thank you! It’s a big thanks to God that you’re here now. You are an instrument of God.

Man:

Thank you and thank the Lord. I am grateful that God led you to bring help to our community. Thank you, thank you so much.

Ruth:

We continue to thank you for your prayers and support as the communities here recover from the devastation of Typhoon Odette.

Samaritan’s Purse is a nondenominational evangelical Christian organization providing spiritual and physical aid to hurting people around the world. Since 1970, Samaritan’s Purse has helped meet the needs of people who are victims of war, poverty, natural disasters, disease, and famine with the purpose of sharing God’s love through His Son, Jesus Christ. The organization serves the Church worldwide to promote the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ.

The Samaritan’s Purse International Disaster Assistance Response Team (DART) program is committed to meeting the critical needs of victims of war, poverty, famine, disease, and natural disaster. We stand ready to respond at a moment’s notice whenever and wherever disaster strikes. The DART specializes in providing water, food, shelter, and medical care while sharing the Good News of Jesus Christ.

CONTACT: Kaitlyn Lahm, news@samaritan.org

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