Four leading Canadian NGOs are providing shelter to more than 280,000 desperate survivors in Pakista

20/10/2005

Tens of thousands of children could die from exposure and illness as temperatures plummet and winter storms set in TORONTO, Oct. 20 – Leading relief agencies CARE Canada, Oxfam Canada, Oxfam-Québec and Save the Children Canada, who joined forces last week and launched the Joint Earthquake Appeal Campaign (http://www.jointearthquakeappeal.ca), are escalating relief efforts as conditions on the ground quickly deteriorate in hardest hit areas of Pakistan and India.

This week, the United Nations issued a global warning that tens of thousands of children could die within the next few weeks due to worsening weather, injury and illness unless more than 100,000 tents are immediately airlifted into remote earthquake-stricken areas. The Joint Earthquake Appeal Campaign is responding to the crisis and expediting the delivery of more than 56,000 winterized tents and other emergency supplies to the most affected areas. The tents will provide immediate shelter to approximately 280,000 children and others who are in the most critical need. About the Joint Earthquake Appeal Campaign The partnership of veteran relief agencies was formed on October 13th to provide Canada's first joint response to the humanitarian crisis. Donations are shared equally and the Joint Earthquake Appeal Campaign is qualified to receive matching funds from the Canadian Government through October 26th as announced last week. Telephone: 1-800-667-5435 Online Donations: http://www.jointearthquakeappeal.ca Donations by Mail: Joint Earthquake Appeal P.O. Box 1221, Station K Toronto, ON, M4P 3E5 Note to Editors --------------- Photos available upon request. Telephone interviews can be arranged with spokespersons from CARE Canada, Oxfam Canada, Oxfam-Québec and Save the Children Canada.