As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to unravel around the world, Samaritan's Purse has launched a major medical response to help overwhelmed hospitals.

Just over 3 weeks ago Samaritan's purse opened up a 68-bed emergency field hospital in Cremona, Italy. The mobile medical facility was airlifted to Italy on March 17 and opened March 20 after being fine-tuned into a specialized respiratory care unit for those suffering with COVID-19.

On April 1, Samaritan's Purse opened up a second emergency field hospital, this time in New York's Central Park. The 14-tent, 68-bed respiratory care unit was designed especially for this coronavirus pandemic response. 

Both field hospitals are working hand in hand with local hospitals. In Italy, they have partnered with Cremona Hospital and in New York, they have joined forces with Mount Sinai Health System.

Today Ian Stokes, director of international disaster response for Samaritan's Purse shares with us what the situation is like in both New York and Italy, and why it is so important for a ministry like Samaritan's Purse to help out in a time like this.