World Vision applauds U.N. appointment of former President Clinton as Haiti special envoy.

• Aid Agency Says As Country Heads Into Hurricane Season Again, Timing Is Right For Increased Global Support

Miami, May 19, 2009—International aid agency World Vision applauds the United Nation's recent appointment of former President Bill Clinton as its special envoy to Haiti and says it is eager to work alongside Clinton to continue to bring attention - and assistance - to the people of Haiti.

"World Vision has been committed to working alongside the people of Haiti for more than 50 years and is eager to partner with former President Clinton to continue to bring attention to a country that is so rich with potential," said Lisa Torres, World Vision's area director in Miami. "Haiti was hit especially hard last year when four major storms tore through the country - and the global food crisis sent food prices skyrocketing. The situation has improved over the past 12 months, but there is still more work to be done. As we prepare for the upcoming hurricane season and maintain our food assistance programs to the hardest-hit communities, we must continue to support the children and families in Haiti."

For more than 50 years, World Vision has been implementing long-term development programs in 19 locations across the country. More than 52,000 children and their communities are benefiting from programs in health and hygience, education, sustainable agriculture, clean water, and HIV prevention and AIDS care. The agency also provides food aid to vulnerable children and adults through grants from USAID and private matching funds.

World Vision is also partnering with the City of Miami through "Operation Hope for Haiti" to raise funds and awareness to help the island nation rebuild and recover after the devastating storms in late 2008. The partnership has mobilized the community to help provide aid to Haiti - and recently returned from a trip to the country in April to see firsthand the need for additional resources and support. To date, more than $190,000 has been raised in the City of Miami and the surrounding communities, and the group hopes to raise $1.5 million over the next three years to help the community of Hinche, Haiti. The funds raised will go to support a project that will help reduce the threat of flooding in rural Haiti by installing watershed walls and anti-erosion structures and planting trees and shrubs to conduct reforestation. The project will employ close to 1,000 local workers in the community.

To learn more about World Vision's work in Haiti or to make a donation, visit worldvision.org/operationhopeforhaiti.

World Vision is a Christian relief and development organization dedicated to helping children and their communities worldwide reach their full potential by tackling the causes of poverty. We serve the world’s poor regardless of a person’s religion, race, ethnicity or gender. For more information, please visit www.worldvision.org/press.