Compassion International Takes Immediate Action in Wake of Earthquake
Devastation: Response Team En Route to Haiti

LONDON , ON, Jan. 15 /CNW/ - Providing urgent relief to those affected by this week's devastating earthquake, Compassion International has teams who work full-time throughout Haiti serving 64,000 families and additional relief teams in flight to Port-au-Prince .

The team led by Doug Bassett , director of Central American countries for Compassion, will coordinate Compassion's supply of clean water, food, medical care, supplies and adequate housing to aid those who have been affected by the quake. With staff and volunteers in Haiti numbering 4,000, Compassion International is well equipped on the ground to assist in these recovery efforts over the long term.

Compassion has 230 child development centres in Haiti that serve more than 64,000 children, many in Port-au-Prince . The child development organization has been working in Haiti since 1968.

INTERVIEW AVAILABILITIES:

In Canada: Barry Slauenwhite, President & CEO of Compassion Canada , who was in Port-au-Prince in a bus when buildings started fall around them on Tuesday. Mr. Slauenwhite and 100 Canadians were airlifted to Canada late last night to mobilize Canadians to assist in Haiti's recovery. Mr. Slauenwhite is available for interviews. In recent days, he has been featured on the CBC, Fox News, AM980 in London , the Miracle Channel, CKVN radio and other news outlets.

Contact: Aaron Armstrong [email protected] 1-800-563-5437

Compassion is urging those seeking to assist in its Haitian relief efforts to visit its Web site, www.compassion.ca, to give generously to provide emergency supplies of food and clean water and help rebuild the homes of those affected by this tragedy.

ABOUT COMPASSION INTERNATIONAL:

Compassion International (www.compassion.ca) is the world's largest Christian child development organization that permanently releases children from poverty. Founded in 1952, Compassion is bringing an eternal solution to poverty, serving more than 1 million children in 26 of the world's poorest countries. Compassion works exclusively through the local church to provide for the needs of children, offering opportunities for education, healthcare, life skills training and Christian teaching and discipleship. Compassion has been awarded eight consecutive, four-star ratings by Charity Navigator, America's largest charity evaluator.

For further information: Media Contact: Aaron Armstrong, Compassion Canada, [phone] or 1-800-563-5437