Worldvision
Haiti quake-We need your help!
Friends-
World Vision is on the ground in Haiti implementing our disaster relief
strategy there already. We are asking our artists to email and tweet their
fans to donate to our emergency relief fund. Despite the lack of phone
connections to Haiti, our media relations team has been able to place key
interviews, including on CNN's Situation Room, CNN.com, CBS.com, NPR's All
Things Considered, NPR's Morning Edition, all network national radio
outlets, and others.
But we still need YOUR help.
We would so appreciate it if you would take a minute to drive people to
worldvision.org via all of your social media outlets and email lists. A
recent press release from WVUS is below. Feel free to use it in your emails
and on your websites.
______________________________________
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Haiti quake: World Vision anticipates massive needs and difficult response
Port-au-Prince, Haiti, January 13, 2010?Christian humanitarian agency World
Vision plans to begin assessing damage and preparing a relief response
today after the major earthquake that hit Haiti Tuesday. The agency has
worked in Haiti for 30 years and has some 370 staff in country.
Downed communications, blocked roads and continuing aftershocks slowed
relief efforts overnight, with staff unable to leave the agency?s
Port-au-Prince office for several hours due to fallen debris in the
roadways.
"It felt as if a truck had hit a wall," said World Vision staffer Magalie
Boyer, of the initial tremor. "There is extensive damage in the city.
People are getting ready to spend the night in the streets. They are not
comfortable staying in their houses."
"World Vision Haiti will distribute first aid kits to survivors, along with
basic materials such as soap, blankets, clothes and bottles of water as an
initial response," Boyer added.
Meanwhile, World Vision staff from less affected regions of Haiti are
mobilizing and the agency?s global experts are expected to arrive in the
disaster zone as soon as possible. Crystal Penner, a World Vision aid
worker, was in the central plateau region of Haiti when the quake hit:
?There are relief goods prepositioned in various locations across the
country, though the challenge will be getting those supplies swiftly to
those in need,? she said.
?We would be very concerned about a quake of this magnitude anywhere in the
world, but it is especially devastating in Haiti, where people are acutely
vulnerable because of poor infrastructure and extreme poverty,? said Edward
Brown, World Vision?s relief director in the United States.
Reaching hard-hit areas with supplies is expected to be a significant
challenge due to damaged roads and infrastructure, including the main
airport and government buildings.
Donations of cash are needed for the response. The public can help by
visiting worldvision.org or by calling 1.888.56.CHILD.
END
For interviews with aid workers in Haiti, and more information, please
contact Rachel Wolff at +1.253.394.2214 or rwolff@worldvision.org.
World Vision is a Christian humanitarian organization dedicated to working
with children, families and their communities worldwide to reach their full
potential by tackling the causes of poverty and injustice. World Vision
serves all people, regardless of religion, race, ethnicity or gender.
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