Member Press Releases
Dec 17, 2012
The U.S. Government will release its first-ever Action Plan on Children in Adversity. Preceding the White House launch, a briefing on the first whole-of-government action plan for international assistance to children in adversity will be held Wed., Dec. 19 from 9:30am-noon at The National Press Club, hosted by the Children in Adversity Policy Partnership (CAPP), a coalition of US-based implementing and advocacy organizations, and the PL109-95 Secretariat for Children in Adversity.Panelists representing these communities will highlight the evidence behind the plan, review how the plan will guide the U.S. Government’s development and diplomatic efforts for vulnerable children, and provide concrete examples of programs that exemplify the Action Plan’s three core objectives. The event will be livestreamed by The Huffington Post and is also available through the Press Club. The event will be moderated by Kent Hill, World Vision, and speakers include Anne Goddard, ChildFund International, Kathleen Strottman, CCAI, Greg Ramm, Save the Children, Elizabeth Styffe, Saddleback Church and Neil Boothby, PL 109-95. The program is interactive and will demonstrate how new science is driving changes in international assistance for children. Emmanuel Jal, author, entertainer and activist will represent Children in Adversity. For more information, contact Susan Valaskovic at 617-909-6880 or susanmarievalas@yahoo.com.
Dec 17, 2012
ANERA (American Near East Refugee Aid) is pleased to announce a donation of $1 million from the government of Kuwait to fund ANERA’s work with children in Gaza.
Dec 11, 2012
On December 1st, Microsoft and Plan International USA signed a strategic alliance to support bringing digital access to youth and educators in developing countries. Through this strategic partnership, Microsoft’s commitment of up to $75M will help to ensure students gain the critical technological skills necessary to access opportunity, find employment, and contribute to their economies.
Dec 05, 2012
Plan International USA and the Centre for Development and Population Activities (CEDPA) have entered into a formal asset acquisition agreement. In this innovative transaction, CEDPA will join talents and projects with Plan to strengthen existing programs and more effectively protect and promote the rights of women and children around the world.
Dec 03, 2012
· Forecasters predicting storm could bring heavy flooding, wind damage on same level as Typhoon Washi· Washi killed more than 1,000 people, left thousands more homeless in December 2011 MANILA, 3 December 2012 - With Typhoon Bopha set to hit the Philippines within the next 24 hours, World Vision is preparing its response and coordinating with local government disaster units to ensure the safety of children and families that will be impacted by the storm. “World Vision is currently monitoring our assisted areas along the trail of the typhoon. We alerted the communities, especially families in the danger zones, to be ready to evacuate from possible floods and landslides brought by the storm, which experts say could be much worse than Washi,” said Bebeth Tiu, World Vision’s Director of Emergency Response in the Philippines. World Vision has activated its quick response teams across Visayas and Mindanao. Bopha is expected to make landfall by Tuesday morning, local Philippines time, coming in via southern Philippines and possibly affecting provinces in the Eastern Visayas, Northeast Mindanao, and the Bicol Region. World Vision currently works with vulnerable families in the poorest communities in these areas assisting over 50,000 children through development programs. “We are now experiencing persistent rains here,” said Annaliza Aspirin, a World Vision staff member based in Surigao del Sur. “Classes and work have been suspended and the government already warned communities in low-lying and flood-prone areas to prepare for evacuation as we brace for more heavy rains when Bopha hits land.” Government disaster authorities warn the public that rains brought by Typhoon Bopha will unleash a hazardous force stronger than Typhoon Washi. That storm killed more than 1,000 people and left hundreds of thousands more devastated in the southern Philippines on December 2011, two weeks before Christmas. Many residents have already heeded the local government’s advice for preemptive evacuation as families head to evacuation centers set up in schools. Mylene Dapigan, a 24-year-old mother of two rushed to the evacuation center with her family. “We lost our loved ones last year. We don’t want this to happen again,” she said. Crislyn Felisilda, World Vision Emergency Communications Officer in Cagayan de Oro City saw the evacuations take place as people fled, carrying what belongings they could. “Local government units doubled preparations and secure evacuation plans following Typhoon Washi,” she said. “People are worried of the news that Typhoon Bopha is stronger than the killer storm Washi that devastated most parts of Cagayan de Oro City last year. Sunday masses yesterday offered prayers and messages of typhoon preparedness as we celebrate Christmas season.” Meanwhile World Vision staff are equipping their own families for the worst, even as they prepare to help others. “My family's packing up clothes, stocking ready-to-eat foods, including first aid medicines. Some residents near the river bank have evacuated to relatives living in higher grounds. Some people are buying sacks to pack up their clothes. The trucks and sirens of local government are on standby. We don't want to experience the loss and pain of Washi again," says Jane Salingay, a World Vision staff member. The Philippines, ranked the 3rd most disaster-prone country in the world, experiences around 20 typhoons a year. Bopha is the 16th typhoon to enter the country this year. Weather authorities expect another typhoon before the year ends. World Vision, through its Washi Emergency Response that lasted for 3 months until February 2012, assisted affected families in the hardest-hit communities in the urban centers and rural areas, helping more than 50,000 individuals, including 10,000 children. World Vision was able to provide food and food-for-work assistance, water purifying packets and school kits for children. On-the-ground interviews and photos are available. For more information please contact Lauren Fisher (lafisher@worldvision.org) +1.206.310.5476.-END- About World Vision:World Vision is a Christian humanitarian organization dedicated to working with children, families, and their communities worldwide reach their full potential by tackling the causes of poverty and injustice. We serve the world's poor — regardless of religion, race, ethnicity or gender. For more information on their efforts, visitWorldVision.org/press or follow them on Twitter at @WorldVisionNews
Dec 03, 2012
· World Vision’s resilience approach aligns closely with U.S. government’s policy· Currently pioneering farmer-led re-greening projects in Niger, Senegal, Ethiopia· Resilience a key piece in fighting chronic global poverty WASHINGTON, 3 December 2012 -- World Vision welcomes today’s release of USAID’s Policy and Program Guidance on “Building Resilience to Recurrent Crisis.” “At a time when we’re seeing a chronic cycle of food crisis and hunger in several areas of Africa affecting tens of millions of people, a resilience agenda helps address the root causes of poverty by overcoming vulnerabilities and building resilient communities,” said Kent Hill, Senior Vice President of International Programs at World Vision. “This is a smart investment for donors and for the future.” According to USAID’s updated definition, resiliency means “the ability of people, households, communities, countries, and systems to mitigate, adapt to, and recover from shocks and stresses in a manner that reduces chronic vulnerability and facilitates inclusive growth.” This resilience agenda aligns with World Vision’s experience intervening in recurring crises such as the Sahel region, which left a projected 18 million people food insecure at the height of the lean season, and the Horn of Africa, where some areas are still seeing chronically high levels of malnutrition. World Vision provides relief, development, and advocacy assistance to help sustain child well-being within families and communities, focusing on the most vulnerable. “A resilience approach promises to reduce people’s reliance on humanitarian assistance by improving their capacity to adapt to inevitable shocks and stresses. This ultimately decreases the need for repeated humanitarian interventions,” Hill said. “Consistent with USAID, World Vision always works to strengthen local capacity so that the local community and stakeholders take the lead in their own development.” Resiliency has long been a priority of World Vision. For more than a decade, the organization has pioneered an innovative agricultural program known as Farmer Managed Natural Regeneration (FMNR). This agroforestry initiative gives farmers simple pruning and harvesting techniques to encourage native tree growth. At the farm level, FMNR rapidly restores the health of the soil by protecting soil from wind erosion, improving soil fertility by allowing farmers to leave crop residue on the soil, providing fodder for livestock, and providing wood for fuel and sale. This in turn helps generate alternate income and contributes to food security during dry seasons. “FMNR has empowered entire communities to adapt to climate change. The techniques are easy for farmers to modify to fit their local contexts and require little external project involvement,” Hill said. “This proven reforestation practice has reversed desertification and biodiversity loss, increased incomes and food production, improved food security, decreased reliance on external food aid/assistance, and reduced poverty.” In Ethiopia, the FMNR program in Humbo resulted in Africa’s first large-scale reforestation project registered under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. The trees produced there have resulted in 73,000 carbon credits issued to the community. The World Bank has committed to buy those credits, paying approximately $700,000 in income over the next decade to Humbo residents. So far with advance payments the community has already been able to start a bee-keeping business and build new grain storage facilities. Niger, where FMNR began, has experienced net reforestation according to World Vision’s research and has been able to maintain per capita food production, despite being one of the poorest countries in the world with a booming population rise and with a declining investment in reforestation by the government and NGOs. World Vision continues to actively promote this technique across Asia and Africa. -END-About World Vision:World Vision is a Christian humanitarian organization dedicated to working with children, families, and their communities worldwide reach their full potential by tackling the causes of poverty and injustice. We serve the world's poor — regardless of religion, race, ethnicity or gender. For more information on their efforts, visitWorldVision.org/press or follow them on Twitter at @WorldVisionNews
Dec 03, 2012
Visitors to Episcopal Relief & Development's website can view and download our 2012 Advent calendar, check out the Children's Chapel modules, browse our Gifts for Life online catalog and order Bishops Blend Christmas boxes featuring fair trade, organic coffee and chocolate. Printed Gifts for Life catalogs are available via Episcopal Marketplace, and any questions can be directed to Episcopal Relief & Development at 1.855.312.HEAL (4325).
Nov 30, 2012
Goma city in DR Congo reels from M23 invasion and uncertain future: Mercy Corps rushes aid to thousands displaced by recent fighting.
Nov 29, 2012
Media contact:Lauren Fisherlfisher@worldvision.org206.310.5476Military uncertainty in Democratic Republic of Congo threatens to exacerbate humanitarian crisis§ World Vision calling for international leaders to step up in the midst of M23 withdrawal§ Thousands of displaced still pouring into camps in need of food, water§ Changing frontlines and unclear negotiations mean aid workers forced to leave some areas of desperate need as conflict flaresGoma, DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO (29 Novmeber 2012) – As signs appear that M23 forces in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo may have started withdrawing from two towns captured from government troops, World Vision is calling for international support to make sure the conflict does not worsen a vast humanitarian crisis.“The frontlines keep changing, and tens of thousands of people continue to be displaced and re-displaced. Their desperate hunger is compounded by exposure to extreme violence – whatever negotiations are going on at the international level they are having no impact here,” said Dominic Keyzer, Eastern Region Advocacy Manager for the DRC.M23 leaders Wednesday committed to withdrawal from two towns captured from government troops – Sake and Masisi. The military leader said this follows an agreement facilitated by Uganda. The move comes as the continued violence has left an estimated 140,000 displaced from their homes. A number that is expected to grow if the situation does not stabilize. World Vision staff report seeing thousands of families still moving into makeshift camps.“The situation for the displaced is deplorable. They are living in small huts made with sticks and they are hungry with very little food and water. One girl we met broke down in tears from hunger – it was heartbreaking,” said Aimee Manimani, Senior Communications Officer for World Vision in the DRC. “When people are hungry they get desperate – and in this environment, that can increase the chance for outbreaks of violence. World Vision is determined to help people in their hour of need. Especially for women and children food is the number one priority”World Vision is currently supplying more than 31,000 people with rations of beans, maize flour, oil and salt and is working with the World Food Program to secure new supplies for the rapidly growing numbers in some camps. However, the violence continues to hinder relief efforts.“Ensuring access to populations at risk is extremely important. On Wednesday we had to cut our assessment [which is critical to us in finding and serving people in need] short as fighting was coming closer to our teams in the field. Actors in the conflict must ensure that humanitarian organizations can reach our communities and provide them with life-saving support,” said James Chifwelu, Regional Director for World Vision in the DRC.Meanwhile, the future of Goma remains unclear. The city’s power is sporadic and is currently being rationed. Public offices, schools and banks have been closed at times. However few shops and other private offices are opening slowly. Rebel patrols in the city, held for more than a week by the M23 movement, have also been scaled back and witnesses said they see fewer of the groups' soldiers on the streets and instead are seeing an increase in U.N. stabilization forces."We are seeing an increase in MONUSCO patrols around the city, and hoping that this ongoing presence will help to maintain the tense calm that exists, so that children can return to school without fear," Chifwelu said."The complexity of the eastern DRC, facing at the same time conflict and massive humanitarian and development challenges, has really stretched the capacity of MONUSCO (the UNs stabilization force in the DRC). It is hoped that this crisis will highlight and encourage further support both for prioritizing the protection of civilians, and for managing a more coherent stabilization process," said Robert Kisyula, National Director for World Vision in the DRC.- END -About World Vision: World Vision is a Christian humanitarian organization dedicated to working with children, families, and their communities worldwide reach their full potential by tackling the causes of poverty and injustice. We serve the world's poor — regardless of religion, race, ethnicity or gender. For more information on their efforts, visit WorldVision.org/press or follow them on Twitter at @WorldVisionNews
