Rev. Graham and Gov. Palin arrive in Haiti

Evangelist and Samaritan's Purse president Franklin Graham and Sarah Palin arrived in Haiti today to survey the organization's work with cholera patients, deliver Operation Christmas Child shoe box gifts, visit shelters, tour rubble removal sites, and meet with volunteers and staff.

"I am pleased that Gov. Palin will accompany us on a brief trip to Haiti this weekend, and I appreciate her willingness to visit Haiti during such troubled times,” Graham said. “I believe Gov. Palin will be a great encouragement to the people of Haiti and to the organizations, both government and private, working so hard to provide desperately needed relief."

Fox News host Greta Van Susteren, who visited North Korea with Samaritan’s Purse in 2008 and 2009 to report on the organization's medical work, is also on the trips.

More, including photos, at the Samaritan's Purse Today blog.

Updates...

AFP reports:

Conservative US politician Sarah Palin was undeterred by days of politically-charged rioting that has left at least five people dead as she began a weekend tour with a visit to an earthquake refugee camp.

Stepping off a yellow helicopter, Palin visited a community where Christian relief organization Samaritan's Purse provides shelter for victims of an earthquake in January that killed 250,000 people and left 1.5 million homeless.

"I've really enjoyed meeting this community," Palin said. "They are so full of joy. We are so fortunate in America and we are responsible for helping those less fortunate. Samaritan's Purse is still here doing the tough work."

Palin, accompanied by leading US evangelist and Samaritan's Purse president Franklin Graham, will see for herself the massive devastation from the quake and learn about a cholera outbreak that has claimed more than 2,200 lives.

Also along on the trip, Todd and Bristol Palin, as well as Rev. Graham's daughter Cissie Graham Lynch, who is tweeting here.

- JP