World Vision responds immediately to tsunami damage

World Vision NZ’s CEO Helen Green, says World Vision has been able to respond immediately to victims of the tsunami damage in India and Sri Lanka.

“Because we have work in these countries, and have our own people on the ground, we’ve been able to respond immediately with rescue teams, food parcels and emergency shelter. World Vision emergency relief staff are assessing the damage now and we’ll hear from them later today,” says Mrs Green.

In the meantime, Mrs Green says funding is urgently needed, and World Vision NZ is accepting donations for emergency relief in the affected countries. Donations can be made by phoning 0800 80 2000.

Triggered by the strongest earthquake in 40 years that shook the island on Sumatra in Indonesia, the tidal surge struck the coastal states of Tamilnadu and Andhra Pradesh, India in the early hours of the morning on 26 December 2004.

In Chennai where the national office of World Vision India is situated, the first warning came as a slight tremor at 6.30 am in the morning. Around 7:30 am walkers and children playing on the Marina beach of the city were taken aback and started running at the sight of a wall of water rising to flow into the almost a kilometre wide beach towards the car park. Reports say that the surge was so strong that parked cars were thrown around like toys.

In coastal Andhra Pradesh, World Vision India works in seven projects. Of these, all but three are safe and unaffected by the surge. World Vision India has been distributing 1000 packets of food since yesterday. In Premamaya Area Development Project, more than 1500 people were evacuated and provided shelter in government schools and a cyclone shelter built b y World Vision. World Vision is providing food and shelter for thousands of families in this area.

In Tamilnadu, where more than 2000 people are feared dead, World Vision India has sent out two assessment teams in the worst affected coastal districts of Cuddalore and Nagapattinam, to evaluate the need.

To make a donation, phone World Vision on 0800 80 2000

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