Franklin Graham Dedicates Field Hospital in Iraq
Franklin Graham was recently in Iraq to officially dedicate our emergency field hospital, where Samaritan’s Purse is treating those injured in the conflict between Iraqi and coalition forces and ISIS militants in Mosul. SP is providing trauma care to victims, including many women and children wounded by gunfire, mortar rounds, car bombings, and improvised explosives.
“It’s a privilege to be here,” Graham said at the dedication ceremony. “As a Christian, I want all people to know about God’s love for them. We could not do this without the help of the Iraqi government and the international agencies, and we are so thankful for the cooperation we have received.”
Equipped with two operating rooms, more than 50 beds, and dozens of Samaritan’s Purse staff, the hospital is the closest trauma unit to the front lines of fierce fighting in Mosul.
Graham commended the medical team for the expert care they are providing to severely injured patients in the state-of-the-art facility even as they are ministering to them. “[They] pray for them, talk to them, hold their hands, and smile. For most of these people, it might be the only glimpse of Jesus Christ they will ever see, and I want them to leave here with that impression.”
Lise Grande, United Nations Humanitarian Coordinator for Iraq, was at the dedication and praised the lifesaving work of Samaritan’s Purse.
“We’ve reached out to a number of organizations, asking, begging them to step forward. Dr. Graham, Samaritan’s Purse answered that call. We can’t thank you enough,” she said.
“You built this hospital in record time. Most of all we want to thank you for saving people. Because Samaritan’s Purse is here, thousands—tens of thousands—of people will survive.”
(Source: Samaritan’s Purse)
