Mississauga, ON - The Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) has given World Vision Canada an initial grant of $600,000 to support the organization's relief efforts in Southeast Asia.

"The CIDA grant means we will be able to increase our ability to meet the immediate basic human needs for the people in the affected areas," said Dave Toycen, president of World Vision Canada. "We can provide thousands more people with shelter, the means to prepare their own meals and meet personal hygiene needs - basics which help restore people's ability to cope in crisis situations."

With more than $3,000,000 in donations from individual Canadians, the organization is already providing emergency relief items including blankets, roofing materials, clothing and water containers. The CIDA funding will help World Vision provide items such as clothing, mats, dry rations (tea, lentils, rice, flour, tinned fish) and kitchen utensils.

Despite the generosity of Canadians and the CIDA grant, more is needed to help the thousands affected. To contribute to World Vision, call 1-800-268-5528.  Due to the overwhelming generosity of Canadians, we ask callers to be patient as short waiting periods may be experienced due to the high volume of calls.