Samaritan's Purse
An international evangelical Christian humanitarian organization providing disaster relief, medical assistance, community support, and evangelistic programs.
Last updated November 4, 2026
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Overview
Samaritan's Purse is an international evangelical Christian humanitarian organization headquartered in Boone, North Carolina. It provides emergency relief, medical care, reconstruction assistance, clean water, food, shelter support, and community-development services to people affected by war, natural disasters, disease outbreaks, poverty, and displacement. Its aid work is explicitly connected to Christian missionary activity, and many of its programs combine material assistance with opportunities for Christian teaching or discipleship. The organization was established in 1970 by Robert Pierce, a Baptist pastor and founder of World Vision International. Pierce created Samaritan's Purse in California after years of involvement with Christian relief projects in Asia and other regions. After Pierce died in 1978, Franklin Graham assumed the presidency in 1979 and moved the organization to Boone, North Carolina, in 1980. Graham, the son of evangelist Billy Graham, has remained its principal public leader and has shaped the organization's combination of evangelical outreach, disaster response, medical missions, and large-scale logistics. Samaritan's Purse operates through several principal program areas. North American Ministries responds to disasters in the United States and Canada, often mobilizing volunteers to clear debris, repair homes, distribute supplies, and support affected communities. International Projects performs similar work abroad. World Medical Mission, founded in 1977 by physicians Richard and Lowell Furman, places doctors and other medical personnel in mission hospitals and emergency settings. The Children's Heart Project arranges surgery for children with congenital heart conditions in countries where specialized treatment is unavailable. Operation Heal Our Patriots provides retreats and outdoor activities in Alaska for wounded veterans and their spouses. The organization's best-known public program is Operation Christmas Child. Launched in 1990 after an appeal connected with children in Romania, the program collects shoeboxes filled with toys, school supplies, hygiene items, and other small gifts. Volunteers and partner churches distribute the boxes internationally, generally according to children's needs rather than religious affiliation. The program also offers The Greatest Journey, a follow-up discipleship course based on Bible teaching. By 2024, the organization said that more than 232 million shoeboxes had been delivered, including the 200 millionth box distributed in Ukraine in 2022. Samaritan's Purse maintains substantial logistical capacity for emergency operations. It operates warehouses and aviation facilities in North Carolina and has used aircraft, including fixed-wing cargo planes and helicopters, to transport relief supplies, medical teams, and personnel. Its response portfolio has included the 2014 Ebola outbreak in Liberia, the 2018 Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the war in Ukraine, the Israel-Gaza conflict, Hurricane Helene in the United States, and the 2025 Myanmar earthquake. In Ukraine, it supported food distribution, hospitals, medical consultations, surgery, generators, evacuation, and local partner organizations after Russia's full-scale invasion in 2022. The organization works through a network of national offices, field offices, churches, medical institutions, local partners, volunteers, and government contacts. By 2022 it had offices in the United States, Australia, Canada, Germany, the United Kingdom, and South Korea, while continuing to operate projects in more than 100 countries. It also conducts evangelistic events and maintains a separate aircraft-holding structure known as the Emmanuel Group. Samaritan's Purse is funded primarily by private donations and donated goods and services, supplemented by some government grants. Its religious identity, links between aid and evangelism, employment policies, and public advocacy by Franklin Graham have made it both a prominent humanitarian actor and a subject of public debate.
History
Samaritan's Purse was founded in 1970 in Hollywood, California, by Robert Pierce, a Baptist pastor who had previously founded World Vision International. The organization's name refers to the biblical parable of the Good Samaritan and expresses its emphasis on providing practical assistance to people in distress. Its early work focused on Christian relief and missionary projects, particularly in developing countries and areas affected by poverty or conflict. Franklin Graham met Pierce in 1973 and traveled with him to visit relief projects and missionary partners in Asia and elsewhere. After Pierce died in 1978, Graham became president of Samaritan's Purse in 1979. Under his leadership, the organization relocated its headquarters to Boone, North Carolina, in 1980 and developed a more extensive administrative, fundraising, medical, volunteer, and logistical infrastructure. World Medical Mission was established in 1977 by physicians Richard Furman and Lowell Furman as the medical arm of Samaritan's Purse. It enables doctors and other professionals to serve short-term assignments at mission hospitals and later became a foundation for the organization's emergency medical operations. The Children's Heart Project extended this work by arranging cardiac surgery for children whose countries lacked appropriate specialist facilities. Operation Christmas Child began in 1990 after Dave and Gill Cooke organized a Christmas gift effort for children in Romania. The program grew into a global collection and distribution network involving churches, schools, community groups, families, businesses, volunteers, and national offices. Shoeboxes generally contain toys, school materials, hygiene products, and other small gifts. Samaritan's Purse distributes them to children based on need and often offers Bible materials and a follow-up discipleship course called The Greatest Journey. The program reached its 200 millionth shoebox in 2022 and reported more than 232 million delivered by 2024. The organization's disaster-response capacity expanded through North American Ministries and International Projects. It developed teams able to conduct cleanup, home repair, reconstruction, water and sanitation work, and emergency distribution after hurricanes, floods, earthquakes, armed conflicts, and other disasters. Medical teams also operated during major disease outbreaks. In Liberia during the 2014 Ebola epidemic, Samaritan's Purse was one of the few nongovernmental medical organizations active during the early phase of the crisis. Doctor Kent Brantly contracted Ebola while treating patients and was later treated successfully in the United States. The organization documented the mission in the film Facing Darkness. It also established a 56-bed emergency treatment facility during the 2018 Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Samaritan's Purse became a major humanitarian responder in Ukraine after Russia's full-scale invasion in February 2022. It moved food, water, medical equipment, blankets, heating supplies, shelter materials, and other necessities through Poland and Ukrainian partners. Its aircraft supported airlifts and refugee evacuation, while field hospitals and medical support programs assisted hospitals and patients in western and other parts of Ukraine. In 2023, its Ukrainian charitable foundation signed a cooperation memorandum involving Ukrainian government ministries and other public institutions. The organization has also responded to conflicts and disasters in Israel and Gaza, Hurricane Helene in the United States, and the 2025 Myanmar earthquake. Its response model combines locally delivered aid with specialist teams, warehouses, vehicles, aircraft, water-filtration systems, field hospitals, and volunteer labor. By the 2020s it maintained offices in several Western and Asian countries and reported projects in more than 100 countries. Aviation became an important part of Samaritan's operating model. The organization used a fleet of aircraft, including a Douglas DC-8, Boeing 757, Boeing 767, and helicopters, for relief transport and personnel deployment. It also operates aircraft through the Emmanuel Group, a wholly owned aircraft-title holding corporation created in 2004. The organization announced plans to retire its DC-8 and acquire a Boeing 767 freighter as its logistics requirements evolved. Throughout its history, Samaritan's Purse has retained an explicitly evangelical identity. Relief and medical services are presented as expressions of Christian service, and some programs include Bible distribution, evangelistic communication, or discipleship. This identity distinguishes it from secular humanitarian agencies and has contributed to its strong support among evangelical donors, while also generating debate about the relationship between aid delivery, religious messaging, organizational leadership, and public policy.
- 2025
Myanmar earthquake response
[1]The organization deploys a field hospital, relief cargo, water-filtration capacity, and medical teams after the earthquake.
- 2024
Hurricane Helene recovery operation
[1]Samaritan's Purse conducts extensive air operations and volunteer cleanup work, followed by a rebuilding initiative.
- 2022
Operation Christmas Child reaches 200 million boxes
[1]The program distributes its 200 millionth shoebox in Ukraine.
- 2022
Full-scale Ukraine response begins
[1]The organization deploys airlifts, medical support, food distribution, evacuation, and winter-relief programs after Russia's invasion.
- 2018
Democratic Republic of the Congo Ebola response
[1]Samaritan's Purse operates a 56-bed emergency field hospital in Komanda.
- 2014
Liberia Ebola response
[1]The organization provides medical treatment, public-health education, and logistical support during the Ebola outbreak.
- 2004
Emmanuel Group is formed
[1]Samaritan's Purse establishes a wholly owned corporation for holding aircraft titles.
- 1990
Operation Christmas Child begins
[1]The shoebox gift program is launched following a Christmas initiative for children in Romania.
- 1980
Headquarters move to Boone
[1]The organization relocates its headquarters from California to Boone, North Carolina.
- 1979
Franklin Graham becomes president
[1]Graham succeeds Robert Pierce as president after Pierce's death.
Products and positioning
Faith-based humanitarian organization combining emergency relief and medical assistance with evangelical Christian ministry.
Gift distribution and discipleship · 1990
Operation Christmas Child
A global shoebox-gift program in which churches, schools, families, and other groups pack small boxes with toys, school supplies, hygiene products, and personal items. Samaritan's Purse distributes the boxes through international partners and volunteers. The program commonly includes Bible-story materials and offers The Greatest Journey, a twelve-week Christian discipleship course for participating children.
Medical missions · 1977
World Medical Mission
The medical ministry places physicians and other healthcare professionals in short-term assignments at mission hospitals and emergency settings. It supports clinical care, training, hospital capacity, and relief operations in places where medical resources are limited.
Specialist medical care
Children's Heart Project
A program that helps children born with congenital heart defects obtain surgery and related treatment when appropriate care is unavailable in their home countries. It relies on medical partnerships, specialist hospitals, and international patient travel.
Disaster relief
North American Ministries
The North American response platform mobilizes staff, volunteers, equipment, and supplies after hurricanes, floods, fires, tornadoes, and other emergencies. Typical work includes debris removal, home repair, cleanup, reconstruction, food distribution, and practical support for affected households.
International humanitarian relief
International Projects
The international relief program responds to disasters, conflicts, disease outbreaks, and humanitarian emergencies outside North America. Operations can include airlifts, emergency shelters, food and water distribution, medical facilities, logistics, and support for local organizations.
Veteran support
Operation Heal Our Patriots
A sub-ministry of North American Ministries that provides lodging and outdoor activities in Alaska for wounded veterans and their spouses. The program is intended to support relationships, recovery, and transition after military service.
Emergency medical response
Emergency field hospitals
Deployable medical facilities used during wars, epidemics, earthquakes, and other crises. Samaritan's Purse has used field hospitals and clinical teams in Ebola responses, Ukraine, Myanmar, and other emergency environments.
Marketing campaigns
- 2025Myanmar earthquake response
Myanmar
Samaritan's Purse sent an emergency field hospital, relief cargo, medical personnel, water-filtration equipment, and surgical capacity after the March 2025 earthquake.
Outcome. The organization reported treating more than 5,800 patients, performing more than 300 surgeries, and producing more than 59,000 gallons of fresh water.
- 2024Hurricane Helene response and rebuild
United States
The organization used aircraft, volunteers, and disaster-response teams to assist communities affected by Hurricane Helene.
Outcome. It reported 358 helicopter and fixed-wing missions, participation by about 35,000 volunteers, and a later home-rebuilding program.
- 2023Israel emergency assistance
Israel · Gaza
The organization provided food, hygiene supplies, trauma equipment, meals, vouchers, and emergency support after the October 7 attack and subsequent war.
Outcome. Samaritan's Purse reported partnerships with local churches and support for emergency responders and displaced people.
- 2022Ukraine emergency response
Ukraine · Poland · Canada
The organization launched airlifts and ground operations for people affected by Russia's full-scale invasion, delivering food, water, medical supplies, shelter items, heating equipment, and generators.
Outcome. Its response included support for medical facilities, civilian evacuation, local partners, and emergency field hospitals.
- 2018Democratic Republic of the Congo Ebola response
Democratic Republic of the Congo
Samaritan's Purse established an emergency field hospital in Komanda during the Ebola outbreak.
Outcome. The 56-bed facility treated nearly 600 patients according to organizational reporting.
- 2014Liberia Ebola response
Liberia · United States
Medical teams treated Ebola patients, conducted prevention messaging, transported supplies, and supported an emergency response during the West African outbreak.
Outcome. The operation included the treatment of patients and the evacuation and recovery of physician Kent Brantly.
- 1990Operation Christmas Child
Worldwide
A recurring international campaign collecting and distributing gift-filled shoeboxes to children affected by poverty and hardship.
Outcome. The program reported more than 232 million shoeboxes delivered by 2024.
Brand decisions
2025
Modernize the relief aircraft fleetStrategyBackground
Samaritan's Purse required cargo capacity for international emergency missions and planned to replace its aging Douglas DC-8.
Action taken
The organization announced plans to retire the DC-8 and take delivery of a Boeing 767 freighter.
Aftermath
The fleet transition was intended to preserve and expand long-distance humanitarian airlift capability.
2022
Scale up Ukraine relief logisticsStrategyBackground
Russia's full-scale invasion created a large and prolonged humanitarian emergency requiring cross-border transport, medical support, food distribution, and winter assistance.
Action taken
Samaritan's Purse deployed aircraft and ground logistics through Poland and Ukraine, supported hospitals and local partners, and established emergency medical operations.
Aftermath
The response expanded into a long-term humanitarian program involving food, water, medical supplies, generators, evacuation, and cooperation with Ukrainian public institutions.
Recent events
- 2025
Samaritan's Purse begins airlift of food to Gaza[1]
Other
The organization reported sending food aid to Gaza by air, including three missions carrying a combined 65 tons of food.
- 2025
Samaritan's Purse responds to the Myanmar earthquake[1]
Other
The organization sent a field hospital and relief supplies to Myanmar after the March earthquake, reporting thousands of patient consultations, hundreds of surgeries, and large-scale water production.
- 2024
Samaritan's Purse responds to Hurricane Helene[1]
Other
The organization conducted a large civilian airlift and mobilized tens of thousands of volunteers for debris removal, cleanup, and recovery work after Hurricane Helene. It later announced a rebuilding program.
- 2023
Samaritan's Purse expands humanitarian support in Israel[1]
Other
After the Hamas-led attack of October 7, the organization supplied meals, hygiene kits, food boxes, vouchers, trauma equipment, and support for displaced people in Israel.
- 2022
Samaritan's Purse launches major Ukraine relief operation[1]
Other
Following Russia's full-scale invasion, the organization delivered food, water, medical supplies, shelter materials, generators, and winter assistance, while supporting hospitals and evacuating civilians.
- 2022
Operation Christmas Child reaches 200 million shoeboxes[1]
Other
The organization marked distribution of its 200 millionth Operation Christmas Child shoebox, delivered to a child in Ukraine.
- 2014
Samaritan's Purse expands Ebola response in Liberia[1]
Other
The organization treated Ebola patients in Liberia, conducted public-health and hygiene education, transported relief supplies, and evacuated nonessential personnel after physician Kent Brantly contracted the virus.
Sources2 sources
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