MISSISSAUGA, Ont. (Jan. 30, 2008) – World Vision received a $120,000 grant this week from the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) to support relief efforts in Kenya, as month-long violence continues despite mediation efforts to end the political crisis.

World Vision will use the funds from CIDA to provide food, water and shelter for the next two months, benefiting nearly 132,000 displaced people in Nairobi, Eldoret, Kisumu and Mombasa and in camps for internally displaced people who have not yet received assistance. Basic amenities such as kitchen utensils, soap, water containers, blankets, mosquito nets and tarpaulins will also be provided to needy families.

World Vision has already assisted nearly 155,000 displaced Kenyans since the crisis began in late December.

"Children continue to suffer and we are worried how this conflict will affect their future well-being. Some have lost parents, many lack food and shelter and most are unable to return to school due to widespread violence," said Wilfred Mlay, Vice President of Africa for World Vision.

"Seeds of discord have been sown in communities that have, until one month ago, been working and living in harmony. The violence has the potential of undoing years of hard-earned development and driving more Kenyans into poverty before this crisis ends,"
said Mlay.

World Vision has conducted community development projects in Kenya since 1974. World Vision donors support more than 135,000 children in Kenya, including 13,959 children sponsored by Canadians.
 
Delivering relief in this situation is not without challenges, according to Julius Mutuko, an aid worker with World Vision in Kenya. He says violence in rural communities northwest of Nairobi last week temporarily impeded a food distribution to 15,000 people in the area.

“We were planning to distribute food to more than 7,000 people in the community of Rongai when the situation erupted and we had to flee for our lives. The food is still yet to be distributed as the situation is highly volatile,” said Mutuko.

World Vision is accepting donations to help people affected by the crisis in Kenya. Those wishing to help can visit WorldVision.ca or call 1-800-268-5528.

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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World Vision staff in Kenya are available for media interviews. Please contact:

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