World Vision urges donations as Haiti CIDA match deadline nears

MISSISSAUGA, ON, Feb. 8 /CNW/ - This Friday is the Canadian government's deadline for matching donations to earthquake survivors in Haiti , and World Vision is encouraging Canadians not to miss this opportunity to double their generosity.

The Canadian government will match individual donations to humanitarian organizations such as World Vision until Friday, February 12, 2010 . Details about the matching program are available on the Canadian International Development Agency's (CIDA) website: www.acdi-cida.gc.ca.

"We want to thank Canadians for their generosity which is helping us address the basic needs for vulnerable children and their families in Haiti . But this response isn't over yet. It's a marathon not a sprint and requires a coordinated effort of many. The outpouring of donations now will go beyond relief into recovery efforts that will stretch for years to come," said Dave Toycen, president and CEO of World Vision Canada .

"The safety and the health of Haitian children is our priority," he added.

World Vision Canada has raised more than $16 million so far for Haiti relief and recovery efforts. Of that amount, residents of Canada's northern regions including Northwest Territories, Nunavut and Yukon have shown their characteristic generosity by contributing $65,258 .

World Vision Canada has received $1.5 million from CIDA to provide clean water and sanitation, increase the number of emergency shelters and operate child-protection programs. During disasters children are extremely vulnerable to disease outbreaks and exploitation, and these kinds of projects help to minimize the risk of illness and other harm.

In addition, World Vision continues to work with partners such as Air Canada to ensure medical and other relief supplies are reaching those in need as quickly as possible. On Saturday, World Vision received vital medical supplies that were generously donated by the Ontario government and shipped to Port-au-Prince on cargo space donated by Air Canada .

World Vision has been operating in Haiti for more than 30 years and its donors currently support 52,000 children there, including more than 10,800 supported by Canadians. Community development programs funded by the child sponsorship program include health, hygiene, education, agriculture clean water, HIV and AIDS, food security and nutrition projects.

Those wishing to help can visit WorldVision.ca or call 1-800-268-5528.

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.

For further information: To interview Dave Toycen, World Vision Canada president and CEO, or regional staff, please contact: Yoko Kobayashi, [phone] ext. 2151, [phone] (cell), [email protected]; Britt Hamilton, [phone] ext. 3973, [phone] (cell), [email protected]