Mississauga ON, Sept. 15/04 - As Hurricane Ivan continues to cut a destructive swath through the Caribbean, World Vision has mobilized staff and resources to respond to needs in the aftermath of those caught in its path.

World Vision is airlifting relief items into Kingston, Jamaica from its North American emergency-response warehouse in Denver, Colorado. The flight is expected to arrive Thursday.  Relief items include: hygiene kits, water purification tablets, collapsible water containers, tarps and basic medical supplies. Damages in the Caribbean are extensive with many areas left without electricity, telecommunications or drinking water. World Vision will also be responding to needs in Grenada, which was devastated by Ivan.

Partnering with local community groups, churches and humanitarian agencies, World Vision is working to co-ordinate a consolidated relief effort in the region. The international relief organization has been supporting development programs in the Caribbean for more than two decades with a current budget of $25-million CDN.

Click here to donate  to World Vision's relief efforts in the Caribbean, or call 1-800-268-5528