Mississauga, ON—World Vision dispatched relief supplies today for survivors of the earthquake that hit the Indonesian island of Java yesterday, leaving 2,700 dead and thousands injured.

The first truck-load of supplies sent from World Vision’s Jakarta office contained blankets, tarpaulins and clothing for 200 families.

“Our hearts go out to the survivors,” said Dave Toycen, president and CEO of World Vision Canada. “In disasters like this, it is usually the poor who suffer the most—people who had so little already, and now they’ve lost loved ones, their homes, and often their means of livelihood.”

World Vision has extensive work in Indonesia and its local relief team is on the ground assessing survivors’ needs in the disaster area, said Toycen.

World Vision staff in Indonesia report that hospitals in the area have been treating hundreds of victims outside due to overcrowding or because hospital buildings are no longer safe. Thousands of displaced people are crowded in Yogyakarta's main city square, using makeshift plastic tents for protection from heat and wind.

World Vision Canada is appealing for $1 million to care for affected children and families. Canadians can donate by calling 1.800.268.5528.

World Vision is a Christian relief, development and advocacy organization working in more than 90 countries, providing help to some 85 million people annually.