Asia hit by worst floods this century

MISSISSAUGA, Ont., July 29, 2004 - As the world focuses on other issues, four Asian countries have been struggling to cope with some of the most disastrous flooding in 10 years. To date, 1,200 people have been confirmed dead in Bangladesh, India, Nepal and southern China, while millions more have been left homeless.

"The floods couldn't have come at a worse time, as farmers were just preparing to harvest their rice crops and plant new seedlings for the next growing season," says World Vision Canada president Dave Toycen. "Long-term food shortages become a distinct reality for the flood victims who are now struggling to cope with a lack of clean water to drink, diseases that spread in the putrid floodwaters, and a lack of safe housing."

World Vision is providing flood assistance to 75,000 Bangladeshi families in 19 areas of the country where it works, including 11,000 families in three communities directly funded by Canadian donors. Relief supplies include food, clothing, plastic sheeting and eating utensils. As well, hundreds of families have taken refuge in cyclone and flood shelters previously built by World Vision. Fifty-six NGOs, including World Vision, have met with the government to discuss ways of improving flood management.

In India, World Vision has provided nearly 6,000 families in the Assam region with tarps for use as emergency shelters, food, cooking oil, tube wells (to access clean water), and medical assistance. World Vision's goal is to provide food and medical assistance to 20,000 residents of Assam.

World Vision Canada has pledged $80,000 to help 34,700 flood victims in three Chinese provinces; the funds will be used to purchase and distribute food grains. World Vision has already distributed nearly 50,000 kilograms of food to more than 1,600 people in Yunnan province.

"The immense needs of these people will continue for some time," Toycen says, adding, "We need Canadians to help us with these relief efforts and those we hope to mount in the coming weeks to meet these urgent needs. We also seek to help these people and their communities better cope with such disasters, so they are less vulnerable to them in the future."

Click here to donate to World Vision's Asia flood relief initiatives, or call 1-800-268-5528.