PRESS RELEASE: Samaritan’s Purse Responds to Cyclone Harold in the South Pacific.

Australian Disaster Relief aids cyclone victims in the Pacific in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic.

Sydney, NSW April 17, 2020—Samaritan’s Purse is responding to the devastation caused by Cyclone Harold in the South Pacific by offering support and funding to churches and local partners that are already active on the ground and engaged in emergency relief activities.

Cyclone Harold ripped through the Pacific Islands on April 6-10, devastating Vanuatu, Fiji, Solomon Islands and Tonga. The Category 5 cyclone left tens of thousands of people homeless due to wind speeds reaching 270km/h, storm surge and flooding. Vanuatu was most severely affected, with more than 160,000 people in need of assistance. Vanuatu is one of a few countries in the world without a confirmed case of coronavirus, and officials are reluctant to open borders even for disaster relief.

To aid relief efforts amidst coronavirus travel restrictions, Samaritan’s Purse Australia is partnering with local organisations and churches already active in the disaster areas to purchase and distribute emergency food, water, medicine and other relief supplies.

“Parts of Vanuatu and these other Pacific islands have been completely decimated by this cyclone. On top of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, the people there are in desperate need of assistance. Although challenging, Samaritan’s Purse will do what it takes to respond in any way we can, and to assist those already working on the ground,” Dan Stephens – Samaritan’s Purse Australia and New Zealand Disaster Response Manager.

Samaritan’s Purse has also responded internationally to the coronavirus pandemic by deploying emergency field hospitals in Italy and the United States.

Media Opportunities:
Interview: Dan Stephens, Samaritan’s Purse Australia and New Zealand Disaster Response Manager

Media Contact:
Nikita Kumar
Email: [email protected]
Mobile: 0434 319 722

Samaritan’s Purse Australia and New Zealand responds to physical and spiritual needs of individuals in crisis situations–especially in locations where few others are working. Led by President and CEO Franklin Graham, Samaritan’s Purse works in more than 100 countries to provide aid to victims of war, disease, disaster, poverty, famine and persecution. For more information, visit SamaritansPurse.org.au