Mississauga, ON—Minister of International Cooperation, Aileen Carroll, announced today that World Vision has been granted $500,000 through the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) to assist earthquake victims in Pakistan.

“We are extremely grateful for this swift and generous response from the Canadian government; in the affirming the role of charities in responding to emergencies. It will also help us bring aid to children and their families who have lost everything in this tragedy,” said Dave Toycen, president of World Vision Canada.

The CIDA funds will provide tents, blankets and essential household items, such as cooking stoves and hygiene kits to at least 5,000 people in the Mansehra district that was levelled by the October 8 earthquake. This is part of World Vision’s relief efforts in the area, which includes providing winterized tents and household items, water and sanitation facilities as well as emergency health care to about 100,000 people in the North West Frontier Province (NWFP). 

World Vision’s activities in the affected areas will also include child protection programs to ensure that the needs and rights of displaced children are a priority during the crisis and in the recovery period.
 
This grant is one of the first projects supported by CIDA. To date, World Vision has raised $500,000 through its public appeal and hopes to raise a total of $3 million for the emergency. Currently donations to registered Canadian charities will be matched dollar-for-dollar by CIDA’s matching fund program earmarked for the earthquake relief.

This week, World Vision trucks loaded with thousands of blankets, tents, water bottles, medical kits, cook sets, children’s winter jackets and burial cloths are arriving in the NWFP. The goods, valued at about $590,000, were dispatched from World Vision warehouses in Dubai, UAE and Hanover, Germany.

World Vision has worked in the NWFP region for two years in conjunction with local partner agencies. World Vision repaired more than 100 schools and 25 medical facilities following an earthquake in February 2004, and used airdrops and donkey caravans to get relief supplies to 100,000 people trapped by storms and avalanches in NWFP last winter.

“The people of northern Pakistan are going to need our help for months to come, especially as winter sets in,” said Toycen. “We are especially concerned about the needs and welfare of children. Our emergency response team is already setting up centres known as child friendly spaces where children can reclaim some sense of routine and security, even amid the chaos. This is critical to their long-term recovery.”

Canadians wishing to contribute to World Vision’s earthquake appeal may call 1-800-268-5528 or click here to make an online donation.

As Canada's largest relief and development agency, World Vision's passion is to help children and their communities transform their lives by fighting poverty and injustice.  Since 1950, we have been providing hope for children in nearly 100 countries.  We are motivated by God's love for all people regardless of race, religion or gender.