MISSISSAUGA, Ont. (April 30, 2008) – Canada’s $50 million contribution toward the United Nations urgent plea for an extra $755 million for emergency food aid is commendable, said World Vision, responding to an announcement made by minister Bev Oda in Ottawa today. However, the international aid agency is calling on the government to significantly increase investments in long-term solutions that enable people to support themselves, rather than depending on food aid.

“As one of World Food Programme’s key partners overseas, we are very thankful for this donation,” said Dave Toycen, President and CEO of World Vision Canada. The agency announced last week that it had to curtail its feeding programs in many countries due to food shortages and rising prices.

“We are hopeful that this generous donation, along with those of other governments, will get food moving through the international pipeline so we can keep helping children and families who are hardest-hit by the crisis. We all agree that food aid is a short-term solution to the very long-term crisis we are facing.”

Toycen is urging the government to make significant new investments in development programs, such as agricultural training and micro-credit cooperatives, that create sustainable livelihoods and cushion the poor against price fluctuations and food shortages. Such sustainable initiatives require experience, expertise and endurance – this is what NGOs bring to the table.

“Our government has helped plug the holes in the food security net, but we need a dramatic increase in development funding to help people avoid this net in the first place,” Toycen says.

World Vision is a Christian relief, development and advocacy organization dedicated to working with children, families and communities to overcome poverty and injustice. World Vision serves all people regardless of religion, race, ethnicity or gender.

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For more information, or an interview with Dave Toycen, contact:
Karen Homer, Public Relations Director
905.565.6200 ext. 3898 (office)
416.936-4159 (cell)
karen_homer@worldvision.ca