MISSISSAUGA, Ont. (Dec. 30, 2008)—As casualties in the Gaza Strip increase by the hour, World Vision continues to call for an immediate end to the violence and the protection of civilians, especially children.

"Whatever the cause of the conflict, we are advocating for a complete cessation of violence and for the protection of civilians, especially children," said Allyn Dhynes, advocacy manager with World Vision in Jerusalem, the West Bank and the Gaza Strip. "We utterly condemn Hamas's rocket attacks on Israeli civilians, but we cannot justify this overwhelming military action by the Israelis which is killing and injuring many innocent civilians."

World Vision’s main concern is for families and vulnerable people such as the elderly, the sick and young children, Dhynes said. The entire population of 1.5 million people is trapped in the Gaza Strip and many are vulnerable. About 50,000 people, most of them extremely poor, are in two of World Vision’s program areas in Beit Lahia and Rafah. Psychosocial care, educational support and recreational activities for children are at the core of World Vision’s work there.

"As soon as the dust settles—literally—we will pick up the pieces and rebuild the work we started successfully in this area years ago," said Charles Clayton, World Vision’s National Director in Jerusalem, the West Bank and the Gaza Strip. "The recent violence will be a setback, and as yet we don't know if any of our beneficiaries are among the dead or wounded.”

The number of casualties has completely overwhelmed the limited health services, which had already been starved of essential surgical supplies by the 18-month Israeli blockade against the import of goods including most humanitarian supplies. The recent strikes have also caused severe damage to the civilian infrastructure with many areas now without water, electricity or sanitation, Clayton said.

World Vision staff members have minimized operations due to insecurity, but many live in Gaza and continue to check on the well-being of the sponsored children and visit program areas to assess the situation when possible. World Vision supports more than 23,000 children in the West Bank and Gaza, including 6,000 children sponsored by Canadians in the West Bank. World Vision began working in Israel and the Palestinian territories in 1975.

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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To interview World Vision staff, please contact:

Yoko Kobayashi
905-565-6200 ext. 2151
416-671-0086 (cell)
yoko_kobayashi@WorldVision.ca

Alex Sancton
905-565-6200 ext.3949
416-419-1321 (cell)
alex_sancton@worldvision.ca