Funds raised by 120,000 young New Zealanders who took part in the 2009 World Vision 40 Hour Famine have been allocated to help provide life-saving relief in Haiti.
NZ$150,000 from the Famine will be sent following Tuesday’s (Jan 12 – local time) devastating earthquake. International Programmes Director for World Vision New Zealand, Seth Le Leu, said: “We are so grateful to the thousands of young people in New Zealand who took part in the 2009 Famine.
"As a direct result of their generosity we can help provide immediate aid and help children who have been left incredibly vulnerable as a result of the earthquake in Haiti."
The funding pledge comes as the World Vision international partnership declares Haiti a category three, level three emergency – the organisation’s highest response ranking.
As a result the agency’s most experienced relief experts are on their way to the capital Port-au-Prince along with some 370 World Vision staff who have been redeployed from around Haiti. World Vision emergency supplies of non-food items are also on their way and will be airlifted out of Denver and Panama.
In addition, a World Vision container had been sent to Port-au-Prince in July 2009 to prepare for the hurricane season with enough emergency survival kits, containing items such as water purification tablets, for 1540 families. Staff on the ground in the devastated areas are distributing these supplies and focussing on protecting vulnerable children.
New Zealanders are being asked to support World Vision’s relief efforts by lending a hand and making a donation on 0800 80 2000 or pledging $30 through their Telecom account by phoning 0900 4 HOPE. Alternatively contributions can be made online at www.worldvision.org.nz.
