SOUTHERN UKRAINE — A recent dam collapse has added to the hardships facing the resilient Ukrainian people. On June 6, the Kakhovka Dam caved in after a significant explosion, unleashing the waters of the nation’s largest reservoir on tens of thousands of people in southern Ukraine. Samaritan’s Purse quickly responded with critically needed relief for hundreds of families in the flood zone while also sharing the hope of Jesus Christ.

Three days after the collapse, Samaritan’s Purse airlifted 40,000 pounds of relief supplies aboard their DC-8 aircraft. Since then, they have been working alongside local ministry partners and churches to rescue more than 300 people from their flooded homes and distribute nearly 5,000 hot meals and 90,000 liters of potable water.

Ryan Lane – Samaritan’s Purse:

In the midst of the ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine, one of the largest disasters in recent times is the destruction of the Novokuznetskoye Dam. As that dam was destroyed, the waters flowed out of it and flooded tens of thousands of homes along the way, destroying countless people’s houses, destroying infrastructure, ruining agricultural land, and this has just added hardship on top of hardship for those who are already suffering.

Man:

The flooding was two and a half meters. Everything was destroyed inside my home. Food, water, everything Samaritan’s Purse supplied is amazing help because everything I had was destroyed.

Ryan:

We have come in the name of Jesus because we love them, because God loves them, and they know that they are not forgotten.

Vitaliy Smolin – Samaritan’s Purse Partner:

Samaritan Purse responded in the same second they heard about it. They provided finances, they provided jugs, boats, fuel, everything that we needed to actually respond as quick as we did by evacuating, by delivering food, by bringing essentials, by delivering water.At this point, as we stand, we delivered over 15,000 liters of water. It’s amazing to get together and actually be the hands and feet of Jesus.

Woman:

It is very hard to see your home going under water. It’s a horrible feeling. The help of Samaritan’s Purse is really great. A huge help in this area. I am so thankful for everything you do.

Vitaliy:

Yesterday we had an opportunity and we preached the gospel, we prayed with the people. And I seen ladies just kind of, tears were rolling down their eyes because to them we were an answer to a prayer. This is heartbreaking.

Ryan:

We ask that you continue to pray. Pray for the people of Ukraine, and pray for Samaritan’s Purse as we respond to all of the needs that we see in the name of Jesus.

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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