World Vision receives $300,000 CIDA grant
to help children cope

MISSISSAUGA, ON, - The Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) and World Vision Canada have partnered to create child-friendly spaces in Darfur, Sudan.

"Emergency situations like this one in Sudan are hardest on children," explains Dave Toycen, president of World Vision Canada. "Providing a safe place for them to come to each day not only raises their spirits, but helps on the long road to healing."

Toycen is part of a team from World Vision Canada that is in Darfur to assess the impact of the conflict on the children. Their findings will help them to decide exactly what type of child-friendly spaces to create; the project will be funded through donations from World Vision Canada supporters and a grant from CIDA.

The child-friendly spaces provide children with a safe place to play and talk with other children, a chance to return to a routine and an opportunity for parents to feel that their children have some sense of normalcy. These environments mean children in Darfur will soon be able to participate in structured educational activities and receive essential emotional support.

"CIDA is proud to support this important child-friendly initiative. Children have been severely affected by the fighting in Darfur, and creating safe play areas for children and engaging them in different forms of play therapy will enhance the quality of their lives and help restore their mental health," states the Hon. Aileen Carroll, Minister of International Cooperation.

The $300,000 grant from CIDA, along with World Vision Canada's $126,000 commitment, will be used to set up 15 new child-friendly spaces around the town of Nyala, South Darfur, Sudan as part of the organization's ongoing relief work in Sudan.

Originally developed in the Balkans in the 90s, child-friendly spaces were most recently used in World Vision's child protection program response during the Bam, Iran earthquake of 2003. Fourteen child-friendly spaces were set up across the city and contained items such as: blankets, water carriers, basic sanitary items, school equipment, toys and blackboards. Parents were able to leave their children in capable hands while they worked on locating family members, gathering needed supplies, and assessing damage to their homes.

World Vision is an international Christian relief and development organization working in more than 90 countries around the world, providing help to more than 85 million people each year.