World Vision is concerned for Haitian children and their families being put at risk as fighting between supporters of Haitian president Jean-Bertrand Aristide and insurgents intent on forcing him from office has spread to 11 communities.

"Rural communities in several areas of the country are already vulnerable to severe food shortages," states World Vision Haiti national director Wesley Charles. "With increasing insecurity and continued violence disrupting transport, cutting off supply routes and access to markets, families will struggle to meet their basic needs," he says.

The World Vision Haiti national office in the capital city of Port-au-Prince "continues its operations under some minor restrictions," Charles reports. World Vision has been forced to adjust its security plan while it continues to monitor the needs of people in the areas of conflict. At this point, though, neither staff nor beneficiaries of World Vision programs have been directly affected by the political crisis.

World Vision has been working in Haiti for more than 25 years. More than 40,000 children and their families are supported through child sponsorship programs in Haiti.

World Vision is a Christian humanitarian organization active in more than 90 countries, providing help to more than 85 million people each year.