World Vision Distributes Life-Saving relief items in Northern Cebu, Philippines

MISSISSAUGA, ON, Nov. 14, 2013 /CNW/ - World Vision staff is delivering today desperately needed items such as drinking water, rice, sardines, beans, cooking oil as well as blankets and hygiene kits to 776 households reached - 3880 people in Tabugon, northern Cebu.

Each household will receive one food kit which represents a one-week supply of food, and one hygiene kit.

Typhoon Haiyan is the largest to hit land affecting 11.5 million people, and Tabugon is one of the most severely-affected locations in Cebu. Preliminary assessments show in this municipality made up of 25 villages, almost 95 per cent of households have been affected.

With extensive damage to infrastructure and telecommunications, which has been exacerbated by on-going bad weather, it has been challenging for World Vision teams who are using boats, vehicles and travelling on foot to get to severely affected regions.

It is anticipated that World Vision will continue to deliver aid to additional sites in northern Cebu in the coming days, as long as logistical challenges do not worsen.

Quotes:

"As we drive along the bumpy road in our convoy of trucks with relief supplies, I see extreme sadness and desperation on the faces of the children and parents.  They're holding up cardboard signs scrawled with marker that say "Need food" and "Help me" and I know very soon that we will be able to give them much needed food and supplies," says Grant Cassidy, senior communications advisor with World Vision.

"It's extremely hot and sunny right now, the temperature is about 40 degrees which makes it that much more of a necessity and priority to get clean water to the children and families who have been without for almost a week."

Background:

With 55 years of experience in the Philippines , World Vision's relief response aims to help 400,000 people (80,000 families) with life-saving essentials such as food, water, hygiene kits and emergency shelter, as well as ensuring safety and protection for the most vulnerable, especially women and children.

Canadians can:

Donate online at worldvision.ca or call: 1 866 595 5550

World Vision is a Christian relief, development and advocacy organization dedicated to working with children, families and communities to overcome poverty and injustice. World Vision serves all people regardless of religion, race, ethnicity or gender. Visit our News Centre at worldvision.ca.

SOURCE: World Vision Canada

For interviews with aid workers, contact:

Julia Rim Shepard 416-722-8770, [email protected]