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Chal was forced to gather her seven children and flee to higher ground when floodwaters swept through her mud-grass home in the southwestern region of Gambella.

The family packed as much as they could carry, knowing that everything left behind would be lost. They eventually joined about 200 other families huddled in a school. With little food and no clean water, Chal cared for her children as best she could and hoped that help would arrive soon.

Chal and her family were among more than 30,000 people who were displaced by the floods. The vast majority of them lost their homes, personal possessions, crops, and livestock.

Samaritan’s Purse was the first humanitarian organization to reach the affected area, providing some 100,000 water purification packets, food, blankets, and other relief supplies. To help reduce the risk of disease associated with contaminated water and poor hygiene practices, our staff members also worked with local Christians to provide training in basic sanitation such as hand washing.

“Gambella is very unique because it is a Christian area in the midst of (non-Christian) communities,” said a Samaritan’s Purse staff member. “We have an opportunity to tell our brothers and sisters in Christ that they are not alone. It is also a chance for us to show them how effective they can be when they serve their communities together. It is very important for us to support them and work to unify and strengthen the church there.

“Many flood victims have said they can not believe that someone would come with help for them. Just by giving them a few provisions and sitting and praying with them, they know that they are remembered. For them it is hope.”