World Vision Sets $50 Million Goal for South Asia Disaster
World Vision, one of the largest Christian relief and development organizations in the world, has set a $50 million goal to help the victims of the South Asia disaster, the largest single commitment in the organization’s 54-year history.
World Vision, one of the largest Christian relief and development organizations in the world, has set a $50 million goal to help the victims of the South Asia disaster, the largest single commitment in the organization’s 54-year history.
“This is the greatest human emergency of our time,” said World Vision International President Dean R. Hirsch, who will leave today to survey damage and direct World Vision’s short- and long-term responses. In addition, Hirsch said World Vision will send upwards of eight relief airlifts to the region over the next few days.
With long-term development projects in many communities devastated by the Dec. 26 tsunami, World Vision staff began helping victims within hours of the disaster. Currently, the agency is providing food, blankets, tents and other emergency supplies in Sri Lanka, India, Indonesia, Thailand and Myanmar.
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“We have been in these countries for more than four decades,” said Hirsch. “We will stay in these stricken communities as long as it takes to help people rebuild their lives. This is a marathon, not a sprint.”
While many of the supplies needed are being purchased in the region, specific items will be airlifted from World Vision’s warehouses in Europe, the Middle East and North America, the agency reported Monday. For example, World Vision’s Denver Global Positioning Unit is sending five truckloads of food, tarps, blankets, generators and water containers to join an airlift leaving from Toronto.
“World Vision has been working in this region for about a half century, and we’re not going anywhere. We’re in it for the long haul,” said Hirsch.
He added that World Vision will continue to work until these communities can get back on their feet.
Currently, World Vision has more than 22,000 staff in nearly 100 countries, including 5,000 to 8,000 permanent staff in Asia.
