Samaritan’s Purse is preparing our 767 cargo aircraft to bring water, shelter, and medical aid to devastated families on the Northern Mariana Islands.
Super Typhoon Sinlaku slammed the Northern Mariana Islands earlier this week with intense winds, heavy rainfall, and dangerous storm surge. The powerful storm ripped roofs off houses and caused severe flooding. Some hard-hit areas of the archipelago’s two major islands—Saipan and Tinian—experienced widespread damage and many communities are without power, shelter, or access to clean water.
We are working with local Operation Christmas Child church partners on the islands as we prepare to transport relief supplies aboard our 767 aircraft. This airlift will include 40 tons of relief including medical supplies, water filtration systems, shelter material, and solar lights. A Disaster Assistance Response Team will work alongside local churches to get relief to those who need it most.
Intensifying to a Category 5 cyclone on April 14, Sinlaku is the strongest storm on the planet this year, barreling through the western Pacific island chain with wind speeds reaching 180 mph. The storm damaged vital infrastructure—including roads, hospitals, and power grids—on islands where nearly 50,000 people live.
“Typhoon Sinlaku left thousands of people in desperate need of emergency relief—many are without water and power, and it’s going to be this way for weeks to come.” said Franklin Graham, president of Samaritan’s Purse. “That’s why Samaritan’s Purse is airlifting supplies and coming alongside the people of these remote islands in their time of need. We want the families in Saipan and Tinian to know they are not alone. God loves them, and they can turn to Him in their time of need.”
In 2018, Samaritan’s Purse responded to Saipan and Tinian after Typhoon Yutu, helping more than 7,600 families recover from the deadly storm.
Please pray for the people of the Northern Mariana Islands as they begin a long road to recovery. Pray for strength and safety as Samaritan’s Purse teams respond in Jesus’ Name and that suffering families will experience the love of God through our work. Check back here for updates.
