Samaritan's Purse flies medical supplies to Ethiopia | News | journalpatriot.com - Wilkes Journal Patriot
The Samaritan's Purse DC-8 cargo plane airlifted more than 13 tons of critical medical supplies from the Piedmont Triad International Airport in Greensboro to Ethiopia on Feb. 15.
These supplies—including two anesthesia machines, an x-ray machine, and an ultrasound machine —were sent to the regional hospital in Mersa, which is the primary provider of medical care to some 350,000 people.
A Samaritan's Purse press release said the hospital has been significantly impacted by violent internal conflict in the area and lacks the needed resources to effectively treat the sick and wounded. It's in the Amhara region.
"The situation in Ethiopia is heartbreaking. Many innocent people are caught in the conflict, and local healthcare facilities are unable to serve their patients because of a lack of resources," said Franklin Graham, president of Samaritan's Purse.
"We are airlifting these desperately needed supplies to save lives and let the Ethiopian people know that God loves them. Please join me in praying for peace and unity in this conflict-torn land."
Fitsum Arega, Ethiopian ambassador to the U.S., joined Edward Graham, Samaritan's Purse vice president of operations, to see the plane off and spoke about the partnership and airlift.
"I would like to thank you on behalf of the people of Ethiopia for this generous gift," Arega said. "The people of Ethiopia's northern regions have suffered much as a result of the conflict and so many hospitals and health centers have been looted and affected because of the war. So many people are in distress. For you to come and bless us with this kind of support tells us who you are. I thank you so much. God bless you. We really need your prayers that the conflict would end and peace would be restored in Ethiopia."
Edward Graham stated, "This is the fifth flight of our DC-8 to Ethiopia to certain regions where hundreds of thousands of people are without medical care," he said. "At the invitation of the Ethiopian government and ministry of health, Samaritan's Purse is able to respond and meet these immediate needs. And we do this all in the name of Jesus Christ."
He continued: "We want our neighbors to know that we care for them, and just like the story of the Good Samaritan, we meet the immediate need of those that are hurting and also care for them long term and share the hope of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior."
In addition to the hospital resupply, Samaritan's Purse launched a food program in eight schools within the conflict region to provide families with necessities
The scope of the work includes a three-month supply of food for at least 1,600 school-age children. We'll also be offering water, sanitation, and hygiene items including soap, toothbrushes, toothpaste, and water treatment supplies to provide clean drinking water.
The plane was greeted upon arrival in Ethiopia's capital, Addis Ababa, by the country's minister of health, Dr. Lia Tadesse, along with members of the Samaritan's Purse Disaster Assistance Response Team, who have been responding to the needs created by the conflict in the Tigray and Amhara regions over the past year.
Samaritan's Purse has a long history in Ethiopia, dating back to 1989 when we installed freshwater wells and instituted agriculture programs in the country during widespread drought and famine.
Samaritan's Purse is based in Boone but has a major presence in North Wilkesboro with offices and warehousing.
Comments
Post a Comment