Dirk Booy, Vice-President of International & Canadian Programs, World Vision Canada

MISSISSAUGA, Ont., July 17, 2004 - Dirk Booy, the vice-president of International and Canadian programs with World Vision Canada, will accompany the organization's next emergency airlift into the war-torn region of Darfur in western Sudan.

Booy will be aboard the mercy flight leaving World Vision's warehouse in Brindisi, Italy. Booy is overseeing the safe arrival of water purifiers and sanitation equipment to some of the 1.3 million Darfur residents who have fled their homes to escape from the government-sanctioned Janjaweed militia. The flight will also include equipment for the establishment of a World Vision relief base in Darfur.

"Our first flight carrying 9,600 mosquito nets made it in safely last week, but the Sudanese government must realize the supply corridors for relief efforts have to remain open for some time to come," Booy said before leaving for Italy. "This is a humanitarian emergency unaparalleled in the world right now. We must be allowed free and unhindered access to help the people of Darfur. They are facing shortages of food and clean water, and are exposed to the elements as the rainy season begins, making them especially susceptible to malaria."

Click here to donate to World Vision's relief effort in Darfur, or call 1-800-268-5528.

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