MISSISSAUGA, ONTARIO – (World Vision Canada – March 15, 2010) – World Vision is calling on Canadian youth to help bring about global change this April 16 -17, by joining the World Vision 30 Hour Famine, an event to raise funds to help eradicate hunger, poverty and injustice. Now in its 39th year, the 30 Hour Famine engages more than 100,000 Canadian youth and is Canada’s longest running youth event.

Participants of the Famine go without food for 30 hours in order to better understand what hunger feels like. During those hours, youth engage in a variety of activities and learn about poverty and its effect on countless children and families around the world. Funds raised through this year’s Famine will support community development projects in countries like Brazil, Cambodia, Ghana and India, as well as help reduce sexual violence in the Eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo and empower children in conflict-prone areas of the Philippines to become advocates for peace.

Due to the recent 7.0 –magnitude earthquake that traumatized Haitians, a portion of funds raised through this year’s Famine will also be directed toward Haiti relief and development efforts.

For more information or to join the 30 Hour Famine, please visit Famine.ca.

30 Hour Famine Facts

More than 100,000 Canadian youth are expected to participate in the 30 Hour Famine.
30 Hour Famine began in 1971 with a group of Calgary teens who held a fast to draw attention to the continent-wide famine in Africa.
Funding from the 30 Hour Famine will continue to support on-going efforts to eradicate hunger, poverty and injustice around the world.
30 Hour Famine is proudly supported by high profile individuals like Faber Drive, Lights, Mike Fisher, Danny Fernandez, Shiloh, Joannie Rochette, the New Cities and Karl Wolfe.

Quote from T.J. Grant, manager, 30 Hour Famine
“For more than 39 years, Canadian youth have shown their commitment to eradicating child hunger and malnutrition by participating in the World Vision 30 Hour Famine. Canadian teens understand that preventing child hunger and malnutrition is priority and is an issue that we need to address now. Youth are making it their personal goal to do something and are motivating their friends, families and communities to get involved in this national campaign.”

Quote from Faber Drive, 30 Hour Famine Supporters
“Having just returned from a trip to the Dominican Republic with World Vision, we saw firsthand the transformational impact that Canadian efforts make in the lives of some of the worlds most vulnerable. Initiatives like the 30 Hour Famine, have provided children and families with access to healthcare, proper nutrition, and child protection programs.”

Footage of Faber Drive in the Dominican Republic.

Update on World Vision’s relief work in Haiti

World Vision conducted a survey which found that more than half of respondents, whose families include 632 children, said they are living in exposed shelter and reported security concerns, including fear of robbery and rape.

World Vision has provided 4,300 metric tons of food to more than 819,000 people, distributed shelter supplies to thousands in camps, opened five mobile clinics and distributed medical supplies to 11 hospitals, and reached 32,000 people with survival items such as basic hygiene kits, cooking sets, blankets and mosquito nets.

To help protect and care for children in camps, World Vision has established safe places for children to play and learn in seven locations, with additional sites planned.

Resourceful Links

About World Vision
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. For more information, please visit WorldVision.ca.

For additional information contact:
Karen Flores
(905) 565-6200 ext. 3497
karen_flores@worldvision.ca

Corina Chevalier
(905) 565-6200 ext. 3899
corina_chevalier@worldvision.ca