Aid Reaches China Earthquake Victims

Michael Ireland | Chief Correspondent, ASSIST News Service | Published: May 26, 2008

Aid Reaches China Earthquake Victims

CHENGDU, CHINA (ANS) -- The Boeing 747 cargo plane chartered from Charlotte, North Carolina, by international Christian relief organization Samaritan's Purse and the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association arrived in Chengdu, China on Saturday.

The plane was greeted on the tarmac by grateful Chinese municipal leaders and a team of Samaritan's Purse staff ready to transport supplies to some of the region's worst-hit areas.

"The 747's arrival has greatly encouraged the people of China," said Gary Lundstrom, vice president of ministry for Samaritan's Purse, who has been on the ground in China since the May 12 earthquake. "The Chinese people are very grateful for supplies sent by Christians in the United States."

A media release states the cargo jet was loaded with emergency supplies including 1,140 rolls of high-grade plastic sheeting to provide temporary shelter to nearly 5,000 people, medical supplies, hygiene kits and blankets.

Samaritan's Purse also has water and sanitation experts from Water Missions International (WMI) on the ground to train and equip locals with six water filtration systems -- each with the capability of producing some 10,000 gallons of clean water per day -- serving tens of thousands of people.

Samaritan's Purse is an international Christian relief organization that provides immediate, no-red-tape response to the physical and spiritual needs of individuals in crisis situations -- especially in locations where few others are working. The organization is working in more than 100 countries to provide aid to victims of war, disease, natural disaster, poverty, famine and persecution.

Copyright 2008 ASSIST News Service 

Aid Reaches China Earthquake Victims