You Sent Relief After Historic Floods in Nebraska

NEBRASKA – When historic flooding inundated much of the Midwest earlier this year, the destruction was beyond what many residents had ever experienced. “In 20 years I’ve never had [water] get up into the cabin,” said Jack, a long time resident of the area. “But the floods just came through and did a lot of damage to a lot of houses around here.”

Linda, another long-time resident, echoed Jack’s sentiment. “Even as a child I can’t remember Fremont being surrounded by water like it was,” she said. “Now everything is destroyed.”

For flood victims like these, the task of cleaning up and rebuilding can be incredibly overwhelming. But, thanks to faithful Operation Blessing friends like you, Nebraskans like Jack and Linda did not have to face these challenging times alone.

Debris in front of a flooded home in Nebraska

As soon as the waters began to recede, Operation Blessing’s U.S. Disaster Relief team arrived on the scene. They set up headquarters at Good Shepherd Church in Fremont, Neb., and the call for volunteers went out.

It wasn’t long before teams of blue-shirted Operation Blessing volunteers were arriving at homes like Jack’s and Linda’s. They tackled the laborious work of tearing up ruined floors, cutting out soaked drywall and insulation, and hauling off water-logged furniture and appliances. Volunteers also helped grieving families sort through and recover treasured memories and possessions.

Jack and his son, TJ, stand in front of their flooded home in Nebraska.

Flood victims were thankful for the help. “We are so appreciative to Operation Blessing for coming and helping us,” Jack said. Linda shared a similar sentiment. “We can’t say enough thank-yous for you guys to come and help us out like this.”

OB staff and volunteers work to clean out a flood damaged home in Winslow, Nebraska.

Thanks to your generous support, and the selflessness of all the Operation Blessing volunteers, flood victims in some of the hardest hit areas of Nebraska have received help, relief and hope during a very hard and painful time. Thank you for your kindness and compassion that is touching lives in Nebraska and around the world!

Venezuela Humanitarian Crisis

COLOMBIA – The country of Venezuela is facing a humanitarian crisis of epic proportions. As seen in the news headlines, Venezuelan families urgently need food, electricity, medical care, and other vital supplies. People are hungry, suffering and even dying. They are truly victims of an unimaginable man-made catastrophe in their country. But thanks to you, Operation Blessing is on the ground in Colombia responding to the desperate cries for help coming out of the Venezuela humanitarian crisis.

Refugees Flee Crisis

Venezuelan refugees crossing illegally due to the Venezuela humanitarian crisis.

At the Colombian border, floods of refugees are making the dangerous illegal crossing due to the crisis in Venezuela. As one of the Venezuelan refugees, six-year-old Joel, put it, “There was no food there.” These families are traversing rivers and facing violent government gangs and drug cartels as they flee the desperate situation. But they’re willing to do anything to save their children and their own lives.

Desperate Venezuelan refugees look exhausted as they hold their child.

A young man named Javier fleeing Venezuela said, “Before people when people migrated, they prepared…. But now people are so desperate, they just grab the first thing they have and come.” He watched families fleeing without even proper clothing. And he believes the Venezuela crisis will continue to get much, much worse.

Operation Blessing Provides Humanitarian Aid

Huge mobs of refugees fleeing the crisis in Venezuela.

Upon Operation Blessing’s arrival at the Colombian border, our team quickly identified refugees, including families with small kids, traveling long distances on the edge of highways at night in search of relief. Our team immediately began handing out solar lights to help keep these travelers safe. They also noticed urgent unmet needs for medical care, clean water, and hygiene supplies.

Venenzuelan refugees receive solar lights from Operation Blessing along a dangerous road.

Because of your support, a full OB disaster relief team deployed for the Colombian border. Working with refugee stations that organizations like YWAM Colombia had already set up along the way, Operation Blessing medical teams quickly got to work caring for these Venezuelans in great need.

Relief for Exhausted Venezuelan Refugees

An Operation Blessing medical station to help Venezuelan refugees along the road in Colombia.

Many of the refugees suffered from skin disorders, leg pain, and back pain after their long journey. Operation Blessing staff attended to the sore and injured feet of those who had walked so far to safety. Others needed attention for serious health conditions and were thankful to find medical care.

During this time, thanks to OB friends like you, the team continued distributing solar lights. They brought joy to the downtrodden children with Superbook programs. And they tackled providing clean water solutions to the shelters and refugee camps, starting with a busy outpost near the border.

Providing Water, Food, and Medical Relief

An Operation Blessing worker installs a safe water system for Venezuelan refugees.

Once basic care was established, you also provided a party with entertainment and hamburgers—a rare treat for these refugees—to encourage and uplift them. And you set up a priceless baby feeding station for the youngest and most vulnerable children who have been lacking proper nourishment for far too long.

You are making a true difference in the midst of this horrific Venezuela crisis. You are giving hope to the desperate and putting smiles on the faces of children in need. Please consider giving a special gift for Venezuelan refugees today. Thank you!

Clean Water for Venezuelan Refugee Shelter

PAMPLONA, COLOMBIA – For the thousands of families fleeing Venezuela, access to clean water is scarce. Even in the shelters many struggle with dehydration or sickness from drinking unclean water. Thanks to our generous partners, Operation Blessing was able to install a water purification system at Marta’s shelter to aid in hydration and healing for suffering children. To see how you can bless crisis victims like these, visit ob.org/crisis.

Learn more about the Venezuela humanitarian crisis.

You Helped Them Find New Life in a New Land

Wisam with his wife and family - persecuted Christians who fled Iraq for a new life in a new land.

JORDAN – It seems like a lifetime ago, but once upon a time Wisam had a good job in Mosul, Iraq, that allowed him to support his wife, Anwar, and their eight children. The family lived in a Christian community and enjoyed a good life together. Then, ISIS came.

Persecuted Christians in Iraq

The attack was brutal. Tragically, ISIS killed one of Wisam and Anwar’s daughters. Wisam was handcuffed and taken away from his family.

A Christian church in Jordan.

The ISIS attackers imprisoned Wisam in an underground borehole without food for over 72 hours. Thankfully, U.S. Army forces rescued Wisam, and he was reunited with his wife and children. Shortly thereafter, the whole family escaped to neighboring Jordan.

Refugees in Jordan

Unfortunately, their problems did not end when they left Iraq. In Jordan, the family is classified as visitors, and not refugees, by the United Nations. As visitors, they cannot receive benefits or protections from UN programs, and their only option was to move into a rented one-bedroom apartment in Amman. To make matters worse, visitors are not legally allowed to work in Jordan, which left Wisam with no way to support his family. With no money coming in, the children couldn’t go to school.

One of Wisam's sons eating dinner.

Things were looking bleak for this Christian refugee family who had already endured so much. “To be honest, I had nothing to feed my children,” Wisam said. That’s when Operation Blessing supporters like you became an answer to prayer for Wisam and his family.

You Sent Humanitarian Aid

Since 2015, Operation Blessing has been working with church leaders in Jordan to bring hope and relief to persecuted Christians and refugees from Iraq. Father Khalil, one of these church leaders, met Wisam and Anwar and connected them with OBI.

Wisam's children dressed in uniforms for school - part of their new life in a new land.

Through Operation Blessing supporters, the family received food supplies, winter clothes, a gas heater, and more! Not only that, OBI provided for the school-aged children to attend a local Operation Blessing-supported Christian school, including tuition, transportation, uniforms, school supplies, and even school lunches. “I was happy that my kids are now able to receive an education with your support,” said Wisam, who now helps at the school as a maintenance worker.

Now, after months of tragedy, turmoil, and persecution, Wisam, Anwar, and their children are settling into their new home. It may be small, but thanks to friends like you, it’s got everything they need.

Wisam's happy kids.

Catastrophe in Southern Africa – Cyclone Idai

ZIMBABWE – Recently, catastrophic Cyclone Idai hit southern Africa as one of the worst disasters to ever strike that area.

The cyclone first rolled into Mozambique on March 4th, and continued it’s path of devastation over Mozambique, Zimbabwe, and Malawi, lasting weeks. Winds exceeded 100mph, and at some points floods reached as high as 18 feet. The death toll has currently reached over 750, with many still missing or in need of rescue. Officials suspect that millions have been affected by Cyclone Idai.

Landslide following Cyclone Idai in southern Africa.

Thanks to you, Operation Blessing is responding to a hard hit area of Zimbabwe where the needs are great. Over 20,000 homes have been destroyed. Meanwhile, bridges have been swept away, and mudslides cover access roads. In this area many residents survived on rooftops. And they fear water-borne illness might breakout.

The government of Zimbabwe is heading up rescue missions and food distributions, but they still need so much help! In response to a request, Operation Blessing is sending a team to provide disaster relief such as solar lights, aquatabs, and safe water filtration systems to clean the water. And we’re prepared to provide assistance in other areas such as food, hygiene items, and medical care as the needs become clear. Check back for updates on our disaster response to Zimbabwe.

Please keep the people of southern Africa in your prayers. You can give a special gift to disaster victims in need today.

Relief for Venezuelan Refugees

COLOMBIA – Due to an overwhelming humanitarian crisis in Venezuela, citizens are fleeing the border to Colombia in search of food, relief, and a chance at a better life. These refugees risk dangers like government gangs and drug cartels at illegal crossings because they simply must find a way to save themselves and their starving children. They are truly victims of an unimaginable situation in their country. And Operation Blessing partners are responding to their desperate cries for help.

The dirty injured foot of a young Venezuelan refugee.

After an advanced disaster relief team assessed the situation and passed out solar lights to protect refugees who travel long distances along highways at night in search of relief, a full team headed for the Colombian border. Working with relief stations that respectable organizations, like YWAM Colombia, had already set up along the way, Operation Blessing medical teams quickly set to work caring for these Venezuelans in great need.

Medical Care for Refugees in Need

Medical care for a Venezuelan refugee.

Many suffered from skin disorders, leg pain, and back pain after their long journey. Others needed care for serious health conditions, and were thankful to find medical care.

During this time, thanks to you, the team kept distributing the priceless solar lights. They encouraged and brought joy to the downtrodden children with Superbook programs. And they also continued planning to bring the best clean water solutions to Venezuelan refugees in shelters and refugee camps, starting with a clean water station at the YWAM outpost near the border.

Venezuelan refugees walk on a highway in the dark with solar lamps from Operation Blessing.

Your help is making a true difference in the midst of this horrific humanitarian crisis. You are giving hope to the desperate and putting smiles on the faces of children in need. Please consider giving a special gift for crisis victims during this urgent time.

Learn more about the Venezuela humanitarian crisis.

World Water Day and Every Day

WORLDWIDE – We join with the international community in celebrating World Water Day on March 22nd.

Because of you, every day is a water day at Operation Blessing, where we strive to provide clean water solutions for those in need around the world. We approach each unique situation with a fresh eye to provide the best solution possible, whether in the deserts of Judea, the mountains of Haiti, remote villages in Latin America, or areas recovering from natural disasters.

Give Water – Give Life

A boy splashing in fresh, clean water.

John 4:10-15 ESV

Jesus answered her, “If you knew the gift of God, and who it is that is saying to you, ‘Give me a drink,’ you would have asked him, and he would have given you living water.”

The woman said to him, “Sir, you have nothing to draw water with, and the well is deep. Where do you get that living water? Are you greater than our father Jacob? He gave us the well and drank from it himself, as did his sons and his livestock.”

Jesus said to her, “Everyone who drinks of this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks of the water that I will give him will never be thirsty again. The water that I will give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.”

Battling the Venezuela Humanitarian Crisis

CUCUTA, Colombia – The country of Venezuela is facing a humanitarian crisis of epic proportions. As we’ve seen in the news headlines, Venezuelan families desperately need food, electricity, medical care, and other vital supplies. People are hungry, suffering, and even dying. But thanks to you, Operation Blessing is on the ground poised to help.

An Operation Blessing disaster relief team is on the ground in Colombia at the Venezuelan border assessing the situation and determining the best way Operation Blessing can help. At the border, floods of refugees are making the dangerous crossing into the country due to the Venezuela humanitarian crisis.

Map of border between Venezuela and ColombiaThese families are traversing rivers and risk violence as they flee the desperate situation. But they’re willing to do anything to save their lives and their children.

Relief Efforts for Venezuelan Refugees

Venezuelan refugees crossing the border.

There are desperate needs as the number of families fleeing rises. Operation Blessing is positioned to provide medical care, hygiene items, clean water solutions, and more. Already, the distribution of solar lamps has helped bring light to this dark situation.

Please consider making a special gift to help victims of humanitarian crisis and disaster today. Your support will help Operation Blessing respond to the crisis in Venezuela and other critical humanitarian and disaster emergencies around the world.

Learn more about the Venezuela humanitarian crisis.

Deploying to Alabama Tornadoes – Press Release

Operation Blessing Deploys U.S. Disaster Relief Team To Lee County, Alabama, For Tornado Relief Efforts

-Volunteers Needed Beginning Friday at 1pm-
-Residents Whose Homes Were Damaged Can Request Free Volunteer Help-

VIRGINIA BEACH, VA (March 7, 2019) – The global humanitarian organization, Operation Blessing International, has deployed a team of disaster relief experts and a convoy of equipment to Lee County, Alabama, to assist with relief efforts following a string of deadly tornadoes.

Team leaders from Operation Blessing’s Virginia Beach headquarters arrived in Alabama on Tuesday to assess damages and meet with local emergency management officials in order to determine the areas of greatest need.

The convoy of equipment departed from Virginia Beach early this morning and includes a construction trailer loaded with tools and emergency supplies, a box truck full of relief supplies, and a skid steer for heavy debris removal.

Today, Operation Blessing will set up a base of operations at Golden Acres Baptist Church (3405 South Railroad Street, Phenix City) and will begin coordinating day volunteers beginning tomorrow (Friday) at 1pm.

VOLUNTEER INFO: WANT TO HELP?
Operation Blessing will be accepting disaster relief volunteers daily, except for Sundays. Volunteers should meet at the Operation Blessing base of operations at Golden Acres Baptist Church (3405 South Railroad Street, Phenix City). Please arrive by 8:15am (except for Friday, March 8). Day volunteers do not need to register in advance. Volunteers must be at least 18 years old, dress appropriately for work in the field (long pants and hard soled shoes or work boots) and also provide their own transportation to and from the work site. For any questions about volunteering, please call OB’s national volunteer coordinator: 800-677-7974.

RESIDENTS NEEDING HELP:
Residents are invited come in person to fill out a work request for FREE volunteer help at Golden Acres Baptist Church (3405 South Railroad Street, Phenix City) daily (except for Sundays) from 9:30AM – 4:30PM. All residents must fill out a work order form and sign a release form in person, allowing volunteer teams access to your property. Volunteers will not be able to do work without a form SIGNED BY THE HOMEOWNER. Priority is given based on need (elderly, sick, disabled, etc) and is based on volunteer availability. Volunteer services offered include general debris removal, help finding and sorting salvageable belongings, chainsaw work and installing tarps on damaged roofs. For more information on how to apply for help: 757.284-9183

For more information on Operation Blessing International, please visit www.ob.org

ABOUT OPERATION BLESSING INTERNATIONAL:

Operation Blessing International (OBI) provides humanitarian services such as strategic disaster relief, medical aid, hunger relief, clean water and community development in 39 countries in the last year. Founded in 1978, Operation Blessing International has touched the lives of more than 321 million people in more than 105 countries and 50 states.

# # #

Contact:
Chris Roslan
Roslan & Campion Public Relations
(917) 538-5629

HOW YOU CAN HELP


Your support is critical in helping families struck by disaster. Click here to make an online donation today and let your gift make a significant impact in the lives of those who urgently need it.

Bringing Life to Dry Places

WORLDWIDE – One of the top commitments of Operation Blessing and our faithful partners is bringing life to dry places all around the world. Sometimes this means bringing educational or business opportunities to areas in need, or medical care where none is available. But often it means literally bringing clean water to areas lacking enough safe drinking water.

While the human body can go weeks without food, and years without medical care, it can only survive a few days without water. Without clean water, communities struggle through debilitating stomach ailments and other waterborne diseases, some fatal. Children miss school and parents are unable to work due to illness.

That’s why Operation Blessing remains dedicated to supplying clean drinking water as one of our core programs. Thanks to your faithful support, we’re able to use a multi-fold approach. We treat each situation uniquely. By assessing the surrounding conditions, we choose the very best solution for lasting success.

Natural Disasters: During natural disasters that pollute water sources and destroy municipal systems, clean water often becomes the most urgent need. Thanks to you, Operation Blessing moves in quickly, whether in the wake of a hurricane in the United States, a flood in Mexico, or an earthquake in Indonesia. We supply bottled water and filtration systems for immediate relief during a crisis. Then, in long term situations like the hurricane that devastated Puerto Rico, we remain on the ground long after many other organizations have left. And we provide necessary safe water technology and guidance to keep clean water flowing to those in need.

Water Wells: In many dry places like Zambia, India, or parts of Latin America, a deep water well provides the best solution for fresh, clean water. Operation Blessing experts assess the situation and provide the resources to dig deeper and more efficiently to find those essential life-giving water supplies.

Community Water Systems: For communities in areas like Honduras or Guatemala, rain falls abundantly, but water sources quickly become contaminated by run off chemicals, waste, or even natural causes. And often, they lie far distances away. In these situations, a community water system provides the best long-term solution by funneling a natural water source down into a community. Combined with a purification system built within a 5,000 to 10,000-gallon water storage tank and pipeline network connecting homes directly to safe water contained within the storage tank, community water systems can provide clean water for decades to come.

Filtration Systems: Filtration systems can also provide a great solution in areas where water is abundant and easily available, but still not safe to drink. Like along Lake Titicaca in Peru. This might occur due to poor municipal water systems, contaminated wells, or disaster situations. In these cases, Kohler Clarity water filters can be distributed to individual schools or families. Operation Blessing can also supply larger community filtration systems or desalination systems as the situation demands.

Chlorination: Chlorination provides another powerful weapon in our battle against unsafe water. A small hand held device like the H2gO or the tabletop community SE200 can easily create enough chlorine to purify water for a village in Haiti or the Judean Desert. Meanwhile, large scale chlorination systems can be used to generate disinfectant for hospitals in places like Africa, or provide safe water for entire communities after disasters.