World Vision President Richard Stearns Arrives in Quake-Struck Haiti Today

Aid agency's president will comfort survivors, support teams on the ground, assist in aid distribution

SEATTLE, Jan. 19 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Richard Stearns, the President of aid agency World Vision, will arrive today in quake-ravaged Port-au-Prince on a flight carrying emergency supplies for the relief effort.  

Stearns, who also helmed the Christian humanitarian organization's U.S. arm during the Asian tsunami response five years ago, will be on the ground through the week.

"As with the tsunami response, the massive scope of urgent needs requires all the assistance possible," said Stearns before his departure to Haiti. "My aim is to ensure that this disaster is being addressed to World Vision's maximum ability by supporting our responders and hard-hit communities with the resources they need."  

"In visiting Haiti, I carry a message of hope and help: 'World Vision, its donors and the international community are all here to assist you, as you climb from the rubble to rebuild your lives, and communities over the coming months and years.'"

In addition to today's World Vision aid flight, World Vision has sent two flights of relief supplies to the quake-affected area, with more on the way. World Vision warehouses in Denver and Pittsburgh, along with a newly-donated storage facility in Miami, will be transporting relief supplies to Haiti as the rescue work continues. These supplies will also support the eventual transition to rebuilding efforts.

In the U.S. alone, World Vision has raised a total of $15.8 million for Haiti relief, which includes $2.6 million in product donations from corporate donors and $10.2 million via the web.

Conditions in Port-au-Prince continue to pose challenges. Those who lost homes in the quake are now scattered across 243 different locations in Port-au-Prince. The availability of food in markets is limited and extremely expensive. Aid distributions are taking place, but access to shelter, sanitation, water, food and medical care remains extremely limited.

Donations to World Vision's Haiti Quake Response can be made by calling 888-56-CHILD, at www.worldvision.org, or by texting the word "GIVE" to 20222.

World Vision is a Christian humanitarian organization dedicated to working with children, families and their communities worldwide to reach their full potential by tacking the causes of poverty and injustice. For more information, please visit www.worldvision.org/press.

SOURCE World Vision U.S.