Mississauga, ON - Just three months ago, the worst Tsunami in memory changed Southeast Asia forever. In response, Canadians gave 32.7 million dollars to support World Vision’s emergency response and reconstruction. 23.5 million dollars will be matched by the Canadian government bringing the total World Vision program funding to more than 50 million dollars.

“The support which Canadians entrusted to us is already making a difference,” says Dave Toycen, President for World Vision Canada.

After just 90 days, World Vision has assisted more than one million people in Indonesia, Thailand, India and Sri Lanka with short-term shelter, food and other relief related programs. Over the next four years the Tsunami relief effort will focus on longer-term rehabilitation including reconstruction projects for homes, medical and educational facilities. In addition, World Vision will focus on income generating and economic development interventions, repair of fishing boats, regular provision of clean water, latrines and agricultural recovery.

The last 90 days, program snapshots

India:

• More than 210,000 people benefited from weekly/biweekly food distribution in the first 30 days
• 1000 water tanks where distributed to families and 25 water purifiers for displaced villagers.
• 2,774 temporary shelters built
• 2,500 families receive construction tools

Indonesia

• More than 120,000 people benefited from World Vision’s initial response
• More than 58,000 people received tents, hygiene kits and other survival items
• 1000 children benefit daily from 10 child safe areas
• 18 temporary family living centers for 20 families each are constructed
• 17,000 people have new latrines, water wells, 40 garbage disposal units in their communities.

Sri Lanka

• More than 775,000 people benefited from World Vision’s initial response
• Food and emergency items such as cooking and hygiene kits were distributed to 275,000 people
• 315 temporary shelters have been completed for displaced families
• 28 safe area’s for children are set up benefiting an estimated 2,800 children each day

Thailand

• 57,000 people benefited from World Vision’s initial response
• 21,968 people are received food rations
• More than 3,584 displaced people benefited from emergency hygiene kits and other non-food distributions
• 2,971 displaced individuals have been given opportunities for livelihood restoration through provision of fishing equipment, boat repair training and skill enhancement seminars.

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