Major Humanitarian Effort Takes Flight with Supplies to Gaza
In a significant move to support the conflict-stricken region of Gaza, the evangelical relief organization Samaritan’s Purse has initiated a large-scale humanitarian effort. On Saturday, the organization deployed its newly acquired 767 cargo plane, airlifting over 100,000 pounds of essential supplies, including food, blankets, and solar lights, to aid civilians affected by prolonged violence.
This operation marked the inaugural mission for their new aircraft, which was loaded with over 290,000 ready-to-use supplemental food packets, aimed primarily at assisting women and children. These supplies were part of a statement released by Samaritan’s Purse, highlighting their dedication to relief efforts in the region.
Franklin Graham, the president and CEO of Samaritan’s Purse, emphasized the significance of the new aircraft in their ongoing mission. “This plane is just a tool — a tool that God can use to help save lives,” he stated. “This 767 is carrying 105,000 pounds of food, blankets and solar lights for Gaza. Most of Gaza is absolutely devastated — this war has affected the lives of millions of people. We want them to know that God hasn’t forgotten them. We are also offering to send one of our emergency field hospitals if needed.”
Collaboration with the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, a newer aid group with backing from the United States and Israel, has been pivotal in these relief efforts. The organization has organized the delivery of vast quantities of food through its airlift operations, as documented in a previous report by the Christian Post.
The focus of Samaritan’s Purse has been on combating malnutrition by distributing hundreds of thousands of peanut-based, high-calorie food pouches produced by MANA Nutrition in Georgia. Since the conflict began, the organization has distributed over 223 tons of food while its medical teams have treated in excess of 1,700 patients.
The distribution of these food packets, which is primarily focused on women and children at dedicated aid sites, is complemented by First Aid stations managed by medical teams. This initiative follows the escalation of violence after the October 7 Hamas-led attack on Israel, aiming to support civilians affected on both sides.
Edward Graham, Samaritan’s Purse’s chief operating officer, and Franklin Graham’s son, shared insights into the daunting environment. He expressed gratitude for the staff’s dedication, saying, “I’m thankful for our staff who are willing to go and that their hearts are broken and pierced by the things that break the heart of Jesus Christ.”
The recent mission is part of an expansion in logistics capabilities, thanks to the addition of the 767 to the organization’s fleet. This new aircraft complements an existing fleet that includes a 757 and a DC-8.
The DC-8, originally acquired in 2015 from an Australian carrier scheduled for dismantling, was refurbished according to FAA standards. This aircraft made its first mission to Ecuador in the aftermath of a 7.8 magnitude earthquake in 2016, treating over 1,200 patients and has since flown over 200 missions, delivering over 8.7 million pounds of aid to various crisis zones worldwide.
Beyond the Gaza operations, Samaritan’s Purse is actively engaged in constructing facilities in Israel, including emergency medical stations and community centers with bomb shelters. They are also offering equine therapy for trauma-affected children and conducting medical training in strategically identified locations to assist both Israeli and Palestinian civilians.
Samaritan’s Purse has relied on aviation to bolster its humanitarian endeavors globally since 1975.
This article was originally written by www.christianpost.com
