Samaritan's Purse sets up Emergency Field Hospital in Myanmar's earthquake zone.
A group of Australian volunteers have flown to Myanmar after last week’s deadly earthquake, to assist in the Samaritan’s Purse Emergency Field Hospital which is providing life-saving care for earthquake victims.
The Australians are part of the Samaritan’s Purse Disaster Assistance Response Team (DART Team), with other crew members from nations such as USA, Vietnam and Cambodia.
The mobile ‘pop-up’ field hospital is one of many deployed by SP in disaster zones around the world. It includes two operating theatres, an emergency room, x-ray facilities, in-patient wards, a pharmacy, and a laboratory.
2,000 Deaths and More Expected
The deadly 7.7-magnitude earthquake struck Myanmar and Thailand on Friday, March 28, killing more than 2,000 people and injuring countless more. It was followed just 12 minutes later by a powerful 6.4-magnitude aftershock.
The quakes have caused widespread destruction across both countries, collapsing buildings and infrastructure. Search-and-rescue efforts are still underway, and the death toll is expected to climb. The Ministry of Health in Myanmar issued a request for assistance as tens of thousands are suffering.
A Call for Prayer Support
Samaritan’s Purse is the international Christian aid organisation headed by Franklin Graham. In a social media video yesterday, Graham urged supporters and people of faith around the world to pray for their disaster response efforts.
In additional to the DART team, SP is also sending emergency relief supplies to the earthquake zone, with additional flights scheduled in the coming days.
SP Field Hospitals have been deployed in times of disaster such as the COVID-19 pandemic, at various places around the world after cyclones and hurricanes, and in conflict zones such as the war in Ukraine.
To learn more or support the work of Samaritan's Purse in Myanmar, head to the Samaritan's Purse Australia website.