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Airlifting Hurricane Relief to Acapulco

Airlifting Hurricane Relief to Acapulco

On back-to-back flights, Samaritan’s Purse aircraft carried much needed supplies to Mexico. 

Samaritan’s Purse airlifted critical relief supplies, including tarps, hygiene kits, and solar lights, to Acapulco to help those impacted by Hurricane Otis and to let them know that God loves them and hasn’t forgotten them.

UPDATE (6 November): Over the past two days, Samaritan’s Purse has distributed more than a tonne of food to nearly 12,000 hurricane survivors. Parcels including rice, beans, tuna, and chicken breast have been sent out into the community through local church partners who are ministering to the storm victims in Jesus’ Name. In addition, our team has installed the first of four water purification systems, which will each provide clean drinking water to up to 10,000 people a day. Please continue to pray for the people of Acapulco who have suffered so much.

This is the first purification system that was installed in Acapulco recently, which will provide clean drinking water for up to 10,000 people a day.

This is the first purification system that was installed in Acapulco recently, which will provide clean drinking water for up to 10,000 people a day.

A Samaritan’s Purse staff member inspects the water produced through the desalinisation system prior to distributing it to people in need.

A Samaritan’s Purse staff member inspects the water produced through the desalinisation system prior to distributing it to people in need.

Samaritan’s Purse North American Ministries and Disaster Assistance Response Teams work together to distribute food to hurricane survivors in Acapulco.

Samaritan’s Purse North American Ministries and Disaster Assistance Response Teams work together to distribute food to hurricane survivors in Acapulco.

Parcels of rice, beans, tuna, and chicken breast have been delivered to nearly 12,000 people through our network of local church partners.

Parcels of rice, beans, tuna, and chicken breast have been delivered to nearly 12,000 people through our network of local church partners.

Pray for the people of Acapulco to lean on Christ as they work to rebuild their city.

Pray for the people of Acapulco to lean on Christ as they work to rebuild their city.

Samaritan’s Purse 757 aircraft left on the morning of 2 November for Mexico City with 22 tonnes of relief supplies on board for hurricane survivors in Acapulco, Mexico. Our DC-8 aircraft departed 4 November to continue bringing aid to those suffering from the devastating effects of Hurricane Otis.

The 757 was packed full of plastic tarpaulin, solar lights, buckets, and household water filters for 3,200 families. The DC-8 will carry 26 tonnes of Spanish Bibles, roofing supplies, cooking kits, hygiene kits, jerry cans, and water purification systems that can produce clean drinking water for up to 40,000 people a day. These desalinisation filters are in especially high demand because the storm leveled the power lines in Acapulco, prohibiting their existing water system from pumping water to the area.

The Mexican government will assist us in transporting the relief supplies from Mexico City to the areas of greatest need in Acapulco. Our Disaster Assistance Response Team is on the ground to work together with local church partners in distributing these items, as well as much needed food, to survivors.

“This hurricane took everyone by surprise and left thousands in desperate need of basic necessities,” said Franklin Graham, president of Samaritan’s Purse. “We are praying for those who’ve lost everything, including loved ones, and we’re working with our church partners in Mexico to meet the greatest needs and remind those who are suffering that God has not forgotten them.”

The afternoon before takeoff, Samaritan’s Purse 757 aircraft was loaded with 22 tonnes of relief supplies to aid hurricane survivors in Acapulco, Mexico.

The afternoon before takeoff, Samaritan’s Purse 757 aircraft was loaded with 22 tonnes of relief supplies to aid hurricane survivors in Acapulco, Mexico.

Outside Samaritan’s Purse hangar in Greensboro, staff loaded onto the plane plastic tarpaulin, solar lights, buckets, and household water filters for 3,200 families

Outside Samaritan’s Purse hangar in Greensboro, staff loaded onto the plane plastic tarpaulin, solar lights, buckets, and household water filters for 3,200 families

Pray that the supplies will bring much needed relief to the people of Acapulco.

Pray that the supplies will bring much needed relief to the people of Acapulco.

Samaritan's Purse staff gather to pray before the flight.

Samaritan's Purse staff gather to pray before the flight.

An Unusual, Record-Breaking Storm

Hurricane Otis surprised the popular resort town in the early hours of Oct. 25 when what was expected to be a tropical storm quickly turned into a Category 5 hurricane. In less than 12 hours, wind speeds more than doubled from 70 mph to 165 mph, tearing apart high-rise hotels, as well as more than 270,000 homes. Sadly, more than 45 people were killed and roughly as many are still missing from what is noted to be the strongest hurricane to strike the eastern Pacific.

Please pray for those who are suffering in Acapulco as well as for the Samaritan’s Purse teams who are serving them in Jesus’ Name.

Samaritan’s Purse is airlifting emergency relief supplies, including tarps, water filters, solar lights, and more to help survivors in Acapulco recover from the devastation caused by Hurricane Otis.