Nairobi, Kenya, September 24, 2007—World Vision is providing relief supplies to countries in Western and Eastern Africa hit hard by the recent torrential rains and flooding. Assessment staff fear the flooded areas could become a breeding ground for waterborne diseases.

"Along with the need to prevent and treat possible disease, immediate needs are for shelter and food, as many houses and crops have been washed away," said Paul Sitnam, World Vision's emergency response director for West Africa. "Our greatest concern is to reach children who are most vulnerable, but roads and bridges have been destroyed, making access difficult."

In Kenya, 20,000 people are marooned and World Vision staff are working with community leaders to evacuate villagers by canoe and provide them with emergency supplies. Additionally, a rapid assessment team has been deployed in Ghana to visit affected areas and report on damages.

World Vision has already provided shelter materials and other relief items to people in Ethiopia and will be distributing survival kits to thousands more in Uganda in the coming days. These kits contain tarpaulins for shelter, mosquito nets, soap, emergency latrines, water purification tablets and high-energy biscuits.

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Notes for Editor:

Uganda: 300,000 people displaced and 21 are recorded dead. World Vision's 30-member team is distributing emergency response kits including food and mosquito nets.

Ethiopia: 17 people and 4,000 livestock are confirmed dead. World Vision is distributing temporary shelters and relief supplies.

Kenya: World Vision is evacuating marooned villagers and distributing blankets, mobile toilets and water purification tablets in the Western Province.

Ghana: 140,000 people are homeless. Government has declared a disaster in three northern regions. World Vision is working with the government to provide support.

World Vision relief staff in the region are available for interviews. Please contact Casey Calamusa at 253.815.2377 (office), 206.310.5476 (mobile), or ccalamus@worldvision.org or Rachel Wolff at 253.815.2072 (office), 253.394.2214 (mobile), or rwolff@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.