World Vision assessment teams reach out to victims in Superstorm Sandy’s aftermath

New York, NY (November 1, 2012) — As millions in the eastern United States hard-hit by Superstorm Sandy are still without power, World Vision relief workers and volunteers are cleaning up damaged supplies in a South Bronx warehouse and opening a new facility to receive urgently needed relief supplies arriving from across the nation. World Vision, an international Christian relief and development organization, is also sending out assessment teams today to other regions hard-hit by the storm offering an initial batch of hygiene kits and food kits.

Monday, the South Bronx World Vision site was heavily damaged when the nearby East River flooded its banks destroying relief supplies. That site will be closed until repairs are completed. Today, relief supplies trucked in from World Vision’s Domestic Disaster Headquarters in North Texas are arriving at a second, newly-opened New York warehouse location.

“We lost about one-third of our relief supplies when Sandy hit," says Rick Miltimore, World Vision’s national director of resources and relief. "However, we're mobilizing hundreds of partners to potentially reach thousands of people immediately."

World Vision assessment teams from West Virginia are also providing immediate assistance in areas hard-hit by heavy snows. In Appalachia, where power is still out, the World Vision site in Philippi, West Virginia is closed because of a power outage. This is the third day that facility has been shut down.

World Vision is now using its existing pre-positioned supplies to help as it restocks shelves. “In the last three days we have bought additional blankets, tarps and clean-up kits,” says Miltimore. “Donations are critical to replenish our supplies.” World Vision is setting up a long-term distribution center in New York to distribute family-fundamentals (clothing, cleaning supplies and household goods). “We’re going to help restore this community,” says Miltamore.

To help: www.WorldVision.org/AmericanFamilies.

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World Vision is a Christian humanitarian organization dedicate to working with children, families and their communities worldwide by tackling the causes of poverty and injustice. For more information please visit WorldVision.org.