Program proven to lift donations, help save lives, says World Vision

MISSISSAUGA, Ont. (May 20, 2008) Canada’s decision to match private donations given to humanitarian organizations for emergency relief in Myanmar and China, as recently announced by Minister Beverley J. Oda, will measurably lift donations and help save lives, says World Vision.

“We are extremely encouraged by the government’s decision, and we await more specific details on the program,” said Dave Toycen, president and CEO of World Vision Canada. “It will dramatically improve our ability to provide emergency supplies to survivors and help rebuild communities long-term.”

Toycen says that match programs have proven effective during past emergency fundraising efforts. World Vision studies, conducted following the 2004 Asian tsunami and the 2005 Pakistan earthquake, found that many Canadians who gave to the organization in response to the match offer:

• donated for the first time
• donated larger amounts compared to non-match appeals
• donated sooner

To date, World Vision Canada has raised $1 million for its relief and recovery programs in China and more than $2 million for Myanmar. According to CIDA, private, individual donations to humanitarian organizations received after May 15 will be matched by the government.

World Vision Response

World Vision has a permanent presence in China and Myanmar and its staff members in both countries have been providing assistance since the disasters struck.

In China, World Vision is conducting distributions of relief items, including quilts, tents, shelter tarpaulins, plastic sheets, food and hygiene items to survivors. The agency plans to reach more than 123,000 quake survivors with immediate relief as well as long-term rebuilding assistance focused on home and school reconstruction.

In Myanmar, World Vision’s 580 in-country staff has assisted 130,000 people with rice, clean water, medicines and survival items—and plans to reach nearly 500,000 in all. In addition, dozens of child-friendly spaces are giving child survivors a safe place to play and recover.

“With the number of injured and homeless climbing every day, relief and reconstruction efforts are going to take months, even years,” said Toycen, adding that World Vision monitors and controls all aid distribution wherever the organization works.

World Vision is accepting donations to assist those affected by the cyclone and earthquake. Those wishing to help can visit WorldVision.ca or call 1-800-268-5528 (English), 1-800-363-5021 (French) or 1-800-268-2776 (Chinese).

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 www.worldvision.ca

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World Vision staff is available for media interviews. Please contact:
Yoko Kobayashi
905-565-6200 ext. 2151
416-671-0086 (cell)
yoko_kobayashi@WorldVision.ca