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World Vision Responds to Colombia's Earthquake Needs
SEATTLE -- World Vision has dispatched relief workers along with medicine
and other emergency supplies to Armenia in central Colombia, devastated by
a 6.0 earthquake Monday.
The relief supplies already dispatched -- electric generators, water
tanks, tents, first aid medicines and tetanus vaccines -- are part of
World Vision's $1 million commitment to emergency efforts. Supplies are being
purchased locally in Bogota, unaffected by the quake 140 miles away.
"Americans always respond generously to disasters, especially when they
affect our Latin American neighbors," said Richard Stearns, President of
World Vision. "Cash is what is needed most. Relief goods can be purchased
in Colombia for far less than it would cost to sort and ship donated items."
World Vision's relief team in Colombia is headed by Senior Director
Fanny Gutierrez, who has family in the region. Another 14 staff members have
been dispatched from Cali.
World Vision has been working in Colombia since 1960. The international
relief and development agency responded to previous earthquakes in 1979 and
1994, as well as the eruption of the Armero volcano in 1985.
World Vision is committed to raising $1 million throughout its
international partnership to aid earthquake survivors. Over the next
48 hours, World Vision will spend $100,000 on relief supplies, including
medicines, for the effort.
Donations may be made by calling, toll-free: 888-511-6565 (English) or
888-511-6566 (Spanish), or by visiting the organization's web site,
World Vision is the largest privately-funded Christian relief and development
agency in the world. Last year, it helped 61 million people in nearly
100 countries, including the United States, through more than 4,000 projects.
SOURCE World Vision
Web Site: http://www.worldvision.org
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Enrique Gili
Hispanic American Village
enrique@minorities-jb.com
http://www.minorities-jb.com/hispanic.htm