Mississauga, ONT - Since last week's tropical cyclone Favio hit, exacerbating the need of already flood-devastated Mozambique, World Vision has ramped up its emergency response. With more than 165,000 people forced from their homes in one of Africa's poorest countries, World Vision has focused on the immediate needs of food, water and shelter.

The majority of displaced families are living in makeshift settlement areas with limited or no food, water, sanitation facilities or shelter, according to World Vision's relief teams on the ground. The emergency teams have set up bases in the district of Mutarara where two camps have already formed and more than 52,000 people are taking refuge.

"Many families who escaped the flash floods are now trapped on islands of higher ground surrounded by thick mud and filthy water," said Liz Satow, a World Vision aid worker responding to the disaster. "Many have built makeshift shelters out of grass and twigs, which can't provide adequate protection from the torrential rains we're continuing to experience here."

World Vision's ongoing development work gave the agency the ability to respond immediately to the crisis by transporting people to safety and providing emergency aid. Some 70,000 people have already received food, tents, water purification kits, survival kits, latrine slabs, soap, water tanks and mosquito nets. AIDS education programming already in place will continue.

World Vision will provide tools and seeds for 5000 families, roughly 25,000 people, to allow displaced families to make the most of the planting season in early April as the rains stop and the river recedes. World Vision will focus on the specific needs of children through the use of child-friendly spaces in the two settlement camps. These spaces will allow children a safe place to play, provide opportunities for learning and help address their psychosocial needs.

Yet the need remains acute. The majority of displaced families have lost their maize harvests along with their homes. Access remains a serious challenge, with many areas unreachable except by helicopter. Even where floodwaters have receded, it is still too deep for vehicles and too shallow for boats. The rainy season here continues through late March, making it impossible for most families to return home until then. Continued rains could also cause further flooding.

World Vision hopes to raise $100,000 for an initial three-month response and is appealing to Canadians to donate. Canadians currently sponsor 9,300 children in Mozambique, who are being closely monitored for health and safety. Canadians wishing to donate can call 1-800-268-5528 or visit www.WorldVision.ca

World Vision has worked in Mozambique since the mid-1980s, and is continuing its long-term development programs alongside the current flood response.

World Vision is a Christian relief, development and advocacy organization dedicated to working with children, families and communities to overcome poverty and injustice. Motivated by our Christian faith, we serve all people regardless of religion, race, gender or ethnicity. For more information, please visit WorldVision.ca.

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PHOTOS AVAILABLE. World Vision aid worker, Liz Satow, is available to speak to the media from Mozambique , please contact:

Marie Bettings

905-565-6200 ext. 3211

416-677-4450 (cell)

marie_bettings@worldvision.ca