Mansehra, Pakistan, July 3, 2007. World Vision and other local and international humanitarian agencies will convene in Islamabad today in response to a request for aid by the Pakistani government, as some 1.5 million people in South Asia have been affected by Cyclone Yemyin and flash flooding. World Vision relief staff in India are already supplying hot meals to families who have been displaced by the storms.

The consortium of aid agencies will determine needs and decide on a course of action. "The access to scattered groups of populations is very difficult," said Graham Strong, World Vision Pakistan national director. "We can count on the technical capacity and experience of our team, and the collaboration with our partners, but there are considerable logistical challenges."

The Pakistani Meteorological Department issued a warning that in the next two days heavy winds and rains will hit already damaged areas.

Torrential rains have left an estimated 500 dead and missing and 250,000 homeless. Rising water levels have forced thousands of families to flee their homes and devastated buildings and grain stores, destroying food, clothing and school supplies.

Monsoons have wreaked havoc in six communities in India where World Vision runs programs for sponsored children. The agency is planning to help families rebuild their homes and is already providing support to minimize the disruption of schooling for children.

In India, one World Vision project is organizing medical camps, as many children are suffering from fevers and colds. Staff members on the ground continue to work alongside the government, completing assessments and monitoring the situation in other areas.

"We are in touch with our programs in all three flood-affected states and they have been asked to keep vigil," said Franklin Joseph, director of emergency relief and disaster mitigation in India.

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World Vision relief staff in Pakistan and India are available for interviews. Please contact Casey Calamusa at 253.815.2377 (office), 925.323.6208 (mobile), or ccalamus@worldvision.org.

World Vision is a Christian humanitarian organization dedicated to working with children, families and their communities worldwide to reach their full potential by tackling the causes of poverty and injustice. World Vision serves all people, regardless of religion, race, ethnicity or gender. Visit www.worldvision.org/press.