While the United Nations is promising to ensure that countries fully pay the billions of dollars pledged to help in the Asian tsunami disaster, World Vision is asking television news editors and librarians to save news footage documenting aid amounts pledged by government leaders for follow-up stories six months and one year later.

"The generosity of Canadians and the government match program will put Canada in a position to be proud of the results of their funding in these follow-up stories," said Dirk Booy, vice-president of World Vision Canada. "Because of this funding, NGO's can commit to long-term rebuilding and we need to ensure that the money is really there."

"The media can play an important role in accountability," said World Vision vice-president Linda Tripp, "This is the time to gather information and ask questions that will encourage the government to come through on their promises as well as pose questions concerning the type of money pledged. We need media to ask if this is new money - not money diverted from equally important aid initiatives."

In previous catastrophes, including the Iranian earthquake in December 2003, only a fraction of the aid promised was actually delivered by donor countries.

The United Nations and aid agencies have learned from their experiences after the Iranian earthquake the importance of collecting funds pledged, before goodwill, promises, and good intentions evaporate in the face of competing demands for funds.

To date, Canadians have donated more than $15 million to World Vision.  The Canadian
government is matching what we receive dollar for dollar until January 11, bringing the total to more than $30 million.

World Vision has worked in the disaster regions for more than 30 years and has approximately 4,000 staff in the area.  The aid organization was able to respond immediately, in the wake of the disaster.

The need is enormous and World Vision will be working with the affected communities for many years on relief, rebuilding and recovery.   No NGO can afford to meet the needs unless promised funds are actually delivered.

To contribute to World Vision's disaster relief and recovery efforts, the public can call   1-800-268-5528, or click here to make a donation.