World Vision's Dave Toycen to get update on Syrian refugee crisis

MISSISSAUGA, ON, Sept. 17, 2013 /CNW/ - World Vision president and CEO Dave Toycen will be visiting Lebanon this week to bring public attention to the plight of Syria's refugee children. With the civil conflict in Syria now well into its third year with no settlement in sight, the crisis facing Syria's children is now the most serious humanitarian problem in the world.

"Four million children, through no fault of their own, have been either displaced within Syria or forced to flee to other countries because of the ongoing civil conflict," Toycen says. "These children, whether they're still in Syria or in Lebanon or Jordan, are the innocent victims of a conflict that threatens to destroy their lives."

Mr. Toycen will arrive in Lebanon on September 19 and will visit with Syrian refugee children and families in both the northern and southern parts of the country, as well as meeting with Canadian and UN officials working on the relief efforts. At the present time, World Vision is providing food, water and sanitation services and child-friendly spaces to assist more than 174,000 Syrian refugees in Lebanon and Jordan, as well as supporting 70,000 displaced people inside Syria with primary healthcare, water and sanitation services. Plans call for the agency to expand its programming to reach thousands of additional refugees in all three countries in the coming months.

WHAT:	Media interviews from Lebanon about Syrian refugee situation and response
WHO:	Dave Toycen, President and CEO of World Vision Canada
WHERE:	Beirut, northern and southern Lebanon
WHEN:	September 20-23 (Lebanon), September 24 (Canada)

FACTS AND STATS:

• More than four million Syrian children are in need of assistance at this time. This includes approximately three million who have been internally displaced within Syria with their families as a result of the conflict;
• More than one million children are among the refugees who've fled Syria to neighbouring countries such as Lebanon, Jordan, Turkey and Iraq. The majority of these children are under the age of eleven;
• World Vision is providing assistance to over 174,000 Syrian refugees in Lebanon and Jordan, and also helps 70,000 displaced people within Syria;
• Watch a video of Dave Toycen meeting a Syrian refugee family during his last visit to the region in June 2013;
• Follow Dave Toycen's visit to Lebanon via Twitter at #toycenontheroad

World Vision is a Christian relief, development and advocacy organization dedicated to working with children, families and communities to overcome poverty and injustice. World Vision serves all people regardless of religion, race, ethnicity or gender. Visit our News Centre at worldvision.ca

SOURCE: World Vision Canada

MEDIA CONTACTS: Dave Toycen will be available for interviews during his trip to Lebanon from September 20-23 and upon his return to Canada on September 24. To arrange an interview, please contact Bob Neufeld at 647-622-2045 or via e-mail at [email protected] or Tiffany Baggetta at 416-305-9612 or via e-mail at [email protected].