World Vision responds to 7.6 Richter scale earthquake

Mississauga, ON— World Vision is deploying assessment teams to some of the hardest-hit areas following today's earthquake that was felt across Pakistan, Afghanistan and parts of northern India, which officials are calling the strongest in over a century.

"With more than 70 per cent of dwellings destroyed in the Mansehra region, much of the infrastructure ruined and reports of entire villages leveled, the most important task is coordinating immediate distribution of emergency supplies," said Dave Toycen, president of World Vision Canada. "Winter is quickly approaching and the harsh temperatures at night are going to cause incredible suffering for the thousands of children and their families left homeless."

Meetings with UN coordinating bodies have tasked World Vision with leading an assessment team into the districts of Mansehra, Abbottabad and Battegram, as well as participating in an assessment team into the Shangla and Kohistan districts in the upper North West Frontier Province of Pakistan. World Vision is also working within a humanitarian alliance of other international aid agencies and local partners to ensure people are helped as quickly and efficiently as possible.

The next 48 hours are critical as aftershocks continue to increase tension and panic among the survivors. Relief supplies are being readied for shipment from warehouses in the region. Emergency relief supplies being distributed will include items such as: food, water, cooking utensils, hygiene items (such as soap, toothbrushes, toothpaste, and feminine hygiene products), blankets, medicines and medical supplies as well as shelter materials.

"Our hearts go out to the many families who are struggling for survival and suffering with grief in the region," says Toycen.

Canadians can donate to World Vision's earthquake response by calling 1-8 00-268-5528 or by clicking here.

World Vision is an international Christian humanitarian relief and development organization working in more than 90 countries around the world, providing help to more than 85 million people each year.