U.S. Disaster Relief
In addition to its international relief efforts, Samaritan's Purse mobilizes staff and equipment and enlists thousands of volunteers to provide emergency aid to victims of tornadoes, hurricanes, wildfires, floods and other natural disasters in the United States. After an initial response, Samaritan’s Purse often stays behind to rebuild and restore houses for families in need.
Overview
- The Samaritan's Purse U.S. Disaster Relief team maintains a constant state of readiness—monitoring weather conditions and emerging natural threats around the nation in order to respond at a moment's notice to help victims of natural disasters.
- While Samaritan's Purse's U.S.-focused relief efforts are based in North Wilkesboro, North Carolina, some 30 miles east of the organization’s main headquarters in Boone, the organization has strategically positioned staff and equipment across the country. Bases of operation include:
- North Wilkesboro, North Carolina
- Dallas, Texas
- Fullerton, California
- Samaritan's Purse maintains a fleet of disaster response vehicles, including eight Disaster Relief Units, and stands ready for rapid deployment. These tractor-trailers are stocked with heavy-duty tarps, generators, chain-saws and other tools to aid in cleanup efforts. Each Disaster Relief Unit also contains a small, built-in office space to serve as local command centers for Samaritan's Purse recovery efforts.
- Across the United States, over 60 Disaster Relief Vehicles, box trucks specially outfitted with tools and equipment, are stationed at partner churches and ready to provide support for Samaritan’s Purse disaster responses in their region.
Deployments
- In disaster areas, Samaritan's Purse always partners with a local church, where it sets up a command center, mobilizes volunteers and serves the community in need.
- Once on the ground, Samaritan's Purse assessment teams begin canvassing hard-hit neighborhoods and talking with people in need to let them know help is available.
- Samaritan's Purse and its army of volunteers help families recover after a catastrophe. Depending on the nature of a disaster, volunteers may tear out damaged drywall, remove flooring, put tarps on damaged roofs, remove debris and help homeowners salvage personal belongings.
- Disaster relief teams are made up of staff and volunteers. Many of the volunteers have received classroom and hands-on training, and they travel across the U.S. with Samaritan’s Purse to help homeowners impacted by natural disasters.
- In 2019, Samaritan's Purse launched Team Patriot—an initiative that provides Operation Heal Our Patriots participants the opportunity to volunteer in hard-hit communities following natural disasters. In 2024, 98 U.S. military veterans and their dependents helped families recover from storms on 21 deployments across the country.
- Since 1998, Samaritan's Purse has responded to 372 domestic disasters in 39 states, bringing aid to more than 86,016 families.
- In 2024, more than 50,000 volunteers served some 926,376 hours with Samaritan's Purse, helping some 12,100 families recover from disasters.
- Samaritan's Purse responded to 32 disasters in 15 states in 2024, including Hurricane Helene, wildfires in New Mexico, tornados, and floods.
