Crowds gathered in front of a medical clinic in the slums of Cite Soleil to watch a powerful excavator lift tons of broken concrete, splintered wood, and twisted rebar into a dump truck for hauling.

The clinic is part of the Christian Church of the Cities, a church partner that is working with Samaritan’s Purse to help distribute emergency relief supplies to thousands of hurting and homeless people in the community.

Work crews are cleaning up dangerous debris from the earthquake to help make the clinic safer and more accessible for patients. A Samaritan’s Purse medical team of two physicians, four registered nurses, and a pharmacist arrived on Saturday to help meet pressing needs in the Port-au-Prince neighborhood.

“We have one clinic doctor who is only able to see about 50 people each day,” said Senior Pastor Leon Dorleans. “When the Samaritan’s Purse team comes, we will be able to do much more.”

The equipment operators are also clearing debris so church work crews can begin rebuilding the security wall that collapsed around the perimeter of the church compound.

“We’re cleaning up the debris and then the church is going to hire people to rebuild the wall,” said equipment operator Tad Agoglia. “At the same time, Samaritan’s Purse is going to help turn this facility into a robust community clinic.”

Rubble removal is the first step toward reclaiming Port-au-Prince and surrounding towns that were devastated by the January 12 earthquake. Samaritan’s Purse is concentrating on clearing debris from hospitals, clinics, schools, churches, and other facilities.

Samaritan’s Purse is also providing thousands of families with emergency shelter materials until homes can be repaired or rebuilt.

Samaritan's Purse , Haiti , Help for Haiti , Building Hope