NEWS Media Advisory

Media Advisory
February 22, 2010

WHO:
cbm Canada’s Executive Director, Ed Epp is in Haiti this week to witness first-hand how funds from Canadian supporters are impacting the lives of people with disabilities, especially the thousands of amputees, who are newly disabled.

Vital cbm programs and services include physiotherapy, occupational therapy, eye care, psychosocial counseling, and a children’s day care centre for young Haitians with disabilities who require immediate care and ongoing rehabilitation.

From Haiti, Epp will be available for interviews February 23 - 24, and upon his return to Toronto after February 26.

WHAT:
Handicap International and a representative of the World Health Organization (WHO) are meeting with the Haitian Secretariat of State for Integration of Persons with Disabilities to begin drafting a National Plan on Disability. The plan will create a framework that will channel all efforts by NGOs working on disability.

cbm has been providing emergency, life-saving care since the day of the Haiti earthquake on January 12 and will be there for the long run.

“For every child that has died in this earthquake, three will be left with life-long disabilities,” says Epp. “We know from our experience, how difficult life can be for those who need help the most. We will continue to provide immediate and long term care for these marginalized people. It is vital for all involved in disaster response to be a voice for those struggling to survive despite their disabilities.”

DONATIONS:
To help those in need in Haiti, call 1-800-567-2264, or donate online NOW!

BACKGROUND:
cbm has been working in Haiti since 1976, with development projects assisting more than 80,000 persons throughout the country, including five programs for those with disabilities in Port-au-Prince.  More than 300,000 people have been injured from the disaster.

A leading international Christian humanitarian organization, cbm works to meet the needs of persons with disabilities in the poorest countries of the world.

For more information, www.cbmcanada.org.

Media Contacts:
Sandy Hazell
National Media Coordinator
cbm Canada
shazell@cbmcanada.org
(905) 640-6466 ext 246;
1-800-567-2264 ext 246
(416) 302-3166 (cell)