Latest news with #SamaritansPurse
BBC News
06-06-2025
- General
- BBC News
From NHS wards to field hospitals in Ukraine and Turkey
"One day you're working in Craigavon Area Hospital; the next, you're boarding a flight to a war zone."Dr Stephen Reaney, from Northern Ireland, travels the world as a volunteer, providing urgent medical care in disaster-hit 2023, he worked in southern Turkey, after a deadly earthquake killed more than 55,000 year before that, Dr Reaney was in Ukraine, after Russia launched a full-scale military invasion. "We're seeing the typical war casualties – men, women, and children," he told BBC News NI."It's very traumatic for the staff, but you just get on with it, particularly when children come in with severe burns, for example, it can be very distressing. "But we do our best for our patients." When he is at home, Dr Reaney works as an urgent care doctor for the Southern Health and Social Care for about four months of the year, he travels with the Christian organisation Samaritan's Purse to countries worst hit by sets up field hospitals to provide emergency described how a woman who had been trapped in a collapsed building following the Turkey earthquake survived after receiving two weeks of intensive care at the field hospital there. Twelve-hour shifts, seven-day weeks An example of one of the organisation's tent-like hospital rooms was on display at Dundonald Elim contained four trauma beds, basic vital sign monitors, ultrasound scanners and ECG monitoring equipment."The diagnostics are really quite simple, but we can do a lot with very little," Dr Reaney said of the one of the main challenges for him and his colleagues is to use medical resources carefully while deployed."Once they're gone, they're gone, until the next shipment," he said."There's little wastage. "We work efficiently and we do the most for the most."You just have to switch gears and remember you're not back in Northern Ireland. "You're in a very resource-limited environment, working in a small team, so that's a challenge."Dr Reaney told BBC News NI that while volunteering abroad, he and his colleagues work 12-hour shifts, seven days a week, treating patients who have come through "some horrendous experiences".He said the role is a rewarding one but acknowledged it can also be "traumatising", particularly for medics working on their first emergency response.
Fox News
05-06-2025
- General
- Fox News
EXCLUSIVE: 'Refugees in their own country': Samaritan's Purse steps into Israel's war zones with needed relief
In a country facing war on two fronts, the Christian aid group Samaritan's Purse is making a big impact. From building armored ambulance stations to promising a new trauma recovery center on the spot, the U.S.-based Christian humanitarian aid group is stepping into dangerous areas to help people still living with fear every day. Edward Graham, chief operating officer of Samaritan's Purse and grandson of Rev. Billy Graham, spent June 2 visiting Israel's tense northern and southern borders. He met with survivors, soldiers, medics and local leaders still trying to recover from recent attacks by Hezbollah and FRANKLIN GRAHAM LEADS CEREMONY AS SAMARITAN'S PURSE GIVES ARMORED 'BULLETPROOF' AMBULANCE TO ISRAEL "We go where other people don't or won't," Graham said during a visit to Arab al-Aramshe, a northern Israeli village hit by Hezbollah missiles and drones. "Not just because we love you, but because God loves you." Before arriving, Graham flew low over the Jordan River Valley, just beyond the West Bank."These communities were hit up here, and they are also forgotten about," he said. "But Samaritan's Purse hasn't forgotten them. We've got great relationships with local community leaders and churches in the area. These people are hurting. That's why we're here — to let Israel know they're not forgotten. And God bless them." Arab al-Aramshe is still picking up the pieces after a deadly drone strike blew the roof off the local community center and killed a man who was trying to protect it. Shrapnel still scars the building. Samaritan's Purse is building a new ambulance station in the nearby town of Shlomi to serve Arab al-Aramshe and surrounding HOSTAGE DEAL IN DOUBT AS HAMAS ADDS DEMANDS, US ENVOY CALLS TERMS 'UNACCEPTABLE' "We're delivering ambulances throughout Israel to support communities like this one," Graham said. "We're also building ambulance exchange points, safe places where medical teams can store ambulances and respond to emergencies. It's about restoring confidence so people feel safe enough to move back.""This was a dead zone filled with alarm every day," said Moshe Davidovitz, mayor of the Matte Asher Regional Council and head of the Northern Conflict Zone Forum. "We don't just want to fix the place. We want to grow the place … but we need to be able to provide some safety."Thousands of people evacuated," Davidovitz added. "They are refugees in their own country. While they were gone, they didn't know what happened to their home, to their dogs, everything they left behind." That safety is arriving in the form of 42 armored ambulances donated by Samaritan's Purse to Israel's national emergency service, Magen David Adom (MDA). One of them has already been assigned to Arab al-Aramshe. Ali Wahid, a senior medic in the area, said the new ambulance makes a big difference. "We are not afraid to respond. But now we will feel safe when we respond," he said. After visiting the north, Graham flew south over the Gaza Strip toward Israel's southern border. "Hamas came out and attacked the communities down here," he said. "Jewish and Arab communities were hit. Today I'm seeing another ambulance exchange point location. There are still a lot of displaced people. We want to bring back confidence and security, so people can come home." In Nir Oz, a kibbutz where one in four residents were either kidnapped or murdered during Hamas' brutal October 2024 attack, the damage is still overwhelming. Houses are burned and shattered. Posters show the faces of loved ones, including baby Kfir Bibas and 83-year-old grandfather Oded Lifshitz, both killed by Hamas."This is where they burned houses, pulled children from their parents, murdered babies," Graham said, standing in the ruins."You see the pictures of the people who are no longer here. Explosions have been going off the whole time I've been in this village. But the leaders here are rebuilding. They want to bring people back this summer. And Samaritan's Purse just committed to help with a community clinic and resilience center." Mayor Michal Uziyahu of the Eshkol region walked Graham through the destruction. Her region lost 244 people Oct 7. Half of the hostages still held by Hamas come from her communities."Seventy percent of the massacre happened here," she said. "Every fourth person was either murdered or kidnapped." Still, she insists the region will not be defined by terror. "We are determined to make sure that the tragedy won't define us," Uziyahu said. "This place will be filled with life again. The thing terrorists fear most isn't tanks or fighter jets. It's the sound of children laughing in our streets." Graham, moved by what he saw, offered a simple message."There's been so much pain, murder and brokenness here," he said. "But I've talked to the survivors and asked if they carry hate. And they don't. They still love their neighbors. They want peace. I don't even understand that myself. But I ask everyone, please keep praying for Israel. They need your prayers and our support." Samaritan's Purse is building a resilience center in the Eshkol region and another in the nearby Merhavim area, home to about 4,000 children, many of whom have experienced devastating trauma."We never define ourselves through the tragedy," Uziyahu said. "We define ourselves with life and hope." Along with the trauma centers, Samaritan's Purse is building two EMS stations, one near the Gaza border, where residents bled to death during the October attacks because medics couldn't reach them in time. The group is also installing 25 bomb shelters across Israel, 11 in the north and 14 in the HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP In the north, Graham met a mother, Sara Kleiman, and her 5-year-old son. They returned home months after fleeing Hezbollah rocket attacks."We try not to think about what could happen," she said. "But we wanted to come home. This is our home."
Yahoo
02-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
EXCLUSIVE: Franklin Graham leads ceremony as Samaritan's Purse gives armored 'bulletproof' ambulance to Israel
As Israel continues to recover from the deadly Hamas attacks of October 2023, Samaritan's Purse is stepping in to help. The Christian relief group has now given 20 ambulances to Magen David Adom, Israel's national emergency medical service. A total of 42 are planned, with 28 being armored to handle attacks. At a ceremony outside the Tower of David in Jerusalem, Franklin Graham, president of Samaritan's Purse, dedicated the newest ambulance alongside former Governor Mike Huckabee, MDA leaders, and Israeli terror survivors. The ambulance is equipped with a mobile intensive care unit and can operate under Idf Soldier Gives Hope, Builds Resilience In Training Severely Injured Soldiers The funds for the vehicle came from Pastor Greg Laurie and his church, Harvest Christian Fellowship. Laurie told those gathered, "We want to say as Christians that we stand with Israel. You're not alone." Franklin Graham read from the Bible, saying that Abraham was like a first responder when he rescued his nephew Lot."Abraham was the MDA of his generation," Graham said. He also took time to speak directly to three women who had lost loved ones or had been held hostage by Hamas. One of them, Karina Engel, shared her emotional story. Engel's husband, Ronen, was killed defending their home, and she and her two daughters were kidnapped and taken to Gaza. They were held for 52 days before being released. Ronen's body is still being held by Hamas. Wedding Of Paramedics Takes Place With Ambulance As Backdrop: 'Felt Only Right' Read On The Fox News App Karina told the crowd that a Samaritan's Purse ambulance, dedicated in her husband's memory, is now stationed near their home. "Every morning when I leave for work, I say 'good morning' to Ronen," she said through tears. She then placed a yellow ribbon on Graham's jacket, honoring those still held hostage. Mike Huckabee spoke at the ceremony and said the need for an armored ambulance shows how serious the threat still is. "This is an occasion brought about because of suffering," he said. "Thank God for Samaritan's Purse, Harvest Christian Fellowship, and the people who risk their lives to help others." Magen David Adom leaders praised the donation. Director General Eli Bin said the ambulance "will become part of our modern defense" and called it a symbol of "kindness and protection." Gilad Erdan, global president of MDA, said Samaritan's Purse "came to Israel's aid in its time of greatest need." Edward Graham, a military veteran and Franklin Graham's son, said in a statement that he has seen the value of quick medical help in combat zones. "We do this because God loves Israel," he said. "We pray this equipment will save lives and bring glory to God." The ambulance carries a Bible verse from Jeremiah 29:11 on its side: "For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope." The ceremony was held during Shavuot, the Jewish holiday that marks the giving of the Torah. Twenty-two more armored ambulances are being built and are expected to arrive by the end of the year. Samaritan's Purse says its work will continue as long as there is a article source: EXCLUSIVE: Franklin Graham leads ceremony as Samaritan's Purse gives armored 'bulletproof' ambulance to Israel
Fox News
01-06-2025
- General
- Fox News
EXCLUSIVE: Franklin Graham leads ceremony as Samaritan's Purse gives armored 'bulletproof' ambulance to Israel
JERUSALEM – As Israel continues to recover from the deadly Hamas attacks of October 2023, Samaritan's Purse is stepping in to help. The Christian relief group has now given 20 ambulances to Magen David Adom, Israel's national emergency medical service. A total of 42 are planned, with 28 being armored to handle attacks. At a ceremony outside the Tower of David in Jerusalem, Franklin Graham, president of Samaritan's Purse, dedicated the newest ambulance alongside former Governor Mike Huckabee, MDA leaders, and Israeli terror survivors. The ambulance is equipped with a mobile intensive care unit and can operate under IDF SOLDIER GIVES HOPE, BUILDS RESILIENCE IN TRAINING SEVERELY INJURED SOLDIERS The funds for the vehicle came from Pastor Greg Laurie and his church, Harvest Christian Fellowship. Laurie told those gathered, "We want to say as Christians that we stand with Israel. You're not alone." Franklin Graham read from the Bible, saying that Abraham was like a first responder when he rescued his nephew Lot."Abraham was the MDA of his generation," Graham said. He also took time to speak directly to three women who had lost loved ones or had been held hostage by Hamas. One of them, Karina Engel, shared her emotional story. Engel's husband, Ronen, was killed defending their home, and she and her two daughters were kidnapped and taken to Gaza. They were held for 52 days before being released. Ronen's body is still being held by Hamas. Karina told the crowd that a Samaritan's Purse ambulance, dedicated in her husband's memory, is now stationed near their home. "Every morning when I leave for work, I say 'good morning' to Ronen," she said through tears. She then placed a yellow ribbon on Graham's jacket, honoring those still held hostage. Mike Huckabee spoke at the ceremony and said the need for an armored ambulance shows how serious the threat still is. "This is an occasion brought about because of suffering," he said. "Thank God for Samaritan's Purse, Harvest Christian Fellowship, and the people who risk their lives to help others." Magen David Adom leaders praised the donation. Director General Eli Bin said the ambulance "will become part of our modern defense" and called it a symbol of "kindness and protection." Gilad Erdan, global president of MDA, said Samaritan's Purse "came to Israel's aid in its time of greatest need." Edward Graham, a military veteran and Franklin Graham's son, said in a statement that he has seen the value of quick medical help in combat zones. "We do this because God loves Israel," he said. "We pray this equipment will save lives and bring glory to God." The ambulance carries a Bible verse from Jeremiah 29:11 on its side: "For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope." The ceremony was held during Shavuot, the Jewish holiday that marks the giving of the Torah. Twenty-two more armored ambulances are being built and are expected to arrive by the end of the year. Samaritan's Purse says its work will continue as long as there is a need.
Fox News
29-05-2025
- General
- Fox News
Franklin Graham meets with Zelenskyy in Berlin, offers prayer as Russia-Ukraine war escalates
Franklin Graham, president of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association and Samaritan's Purse, met Wednesday with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Berlin. During their meeting, Graham offered prayers for Zelenskyy, Russian President Vladimir Putin and President Donald Trump, seeking divine guidance for a path to peace in the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war. "Today I had the privilege to meet with President Zelenskyy and have prayer with him," Graham shared on social media. "I prayed for President Putin, I prayed for him [Zelenskyy], and I prayed for President Trump — that God would give them wisdom and that God would give them a path forward for peace." The meeting coincided with the European Congress on Evangelism, where Graham addressed over 1,000 Christian leaders from 55 countries. He emphasized the complexities of the war, stating, "These are very difficult, and I believe only God can solve this." Zelenskyy expressed gratitude for the humanitarian aid provided by Samaritan's Purse, including support for Ukrainian children, displaced individuals and medical institutions. "We are very grateful for the strong support from the American people, the White House and President Trump," Zelenskyy said. "Thank you for your prayers and for helping people." The meeting took place against a backdrop of intensified Russian military action in Ukraine. Recent reports indicate escalating Russian air and ground assaults, with increased use of drones by both sides. Germany has announced plans to assist Ukraine in producing long-range missiles, marking a significant deepening of support for Ukraine's defense industry. Zelenskyy has proposed a trilateral summit involving Trump and Putin to negotiate an end to the hostilities. Graham's visit coincided with the European Congress on Evangelism being held in Berlin for the first time in 25 years. From Ukraine to the U.K. and Sweden to Spain, over 1,000 pastors and ministry leaders from across Europe have come to the city where Billy Graham once preached to declare that they are "unashamed of the Gospel," echoing the words of Romans 1:16. "There hasn't been a gathering of this kind since the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association's congress in Amsterdam in 2000," Graham said. "What a moment for Europe, and what a time to boldly proclaim Christ." The congress marks a return to the roots of BGEA's global evangelistic mission. In 1966, Billy Graham held the first World Congress on Evangelism in Berlin, declaring the city a platform to reach the world with the message of salvation. More than 20 speakers from 13 nations are contributing to the 2025 congress, with worship led by Grammy winner Michael W. Smith, Charity Gayle and top Christian artists from across Europe. The event is being translated in 10 HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP Marc Van de Wouwer, a Belgian evangelist and retired federal investigator, reflected on his experience at the 2000 Amsterdam congress. "At the time, there were very few evangelists in Belgium," he said. "That event reignited my passion, and now I'm coming back to help invest in the next generation."
