BOONE, N.C. — NC-based organization Samaritan's Purse is expanding relief efforts in western North Carolina with the deployment of community water filtration systems to Swannanoa and other hard-hit areas.
Each water system designed by a Samaritan's Purse engineer can provide up to 50,000 liters of clean water daily which is enough for 10,000 people.
Samaritan's Purse says the units will serve as resources to communities like Swannanoa where the water pipeline network was destroyed during Hurricane Helene. They will help fill the gap as Buncombe County works to restore essential services such as water.
"We designed these systems to use overseas and they work so well but now the need is in our own backyard," President of Samaritan's Purse, Franklin Graham said. "We are airlifting supplies, mudding out homes, removing trees, and doing so much more all in Jesus' name and we're thankful for everyone who is helping make it possible."
Samaritan's Purse has airlifted infant hygiene kits, food, water, and medical supplies to fire departments, nursing homes, and some of the most isolated and hard-hit communities.
It is also mobilizing teams of volunteers to help families start to recover from the storm. Over 2,700 volunteers have already helped more than 140 families by clearing debris, mudding out flooded homes, and chainsawing downed trees.
Samaritan's Purse is also operating a 20-bed Emergency Field Hospital in Avery County to provide additional triage and emergency care as well as oxygen for patients who no longer have access to power.
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