World Vision recognizes the diplomatic community

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The role of the diplomatic community is highlighted by World Vision for their support in relief efforts

GRATITUDE. World Vision officials give thanks to donors, embassy representatives and supporters at its appreciation night. All photos submitted by World Vision

MANILA, Philippines – International humanitarian relief organization World Vision expressed its gratitude to the diplomatic community for its support as it has responded to various emergencies in the past five years, particularly in its Typhoon Yolanda relief efforts.

In a fellowship dinner on March 22, 2014 at the New World Hotel in Makati, World Vision showed its partners what the organization has done in response to the latest disasters in the Philippines, and how their generosity has significantly contributed to saving lives.

The event was graced by representatives from the embassies of Canada, Australia, Germany, Taiwan, Japan, the United States of America; government agencies, international humanitarian organizations and corporate partners. World Vision also acknowledged the Republic of China, Ireland, Singapore, South Korea, Spain, Switzerland, Malaysia, New Zealand, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, and Saudi Arabia.

The evening was filled with videos and speeches from World Vision leaders and advocates, summarizing how World Vision has dedicatedly responded to every disaster that struck the country.

For the last five years, disasters battered Filipinos, claiming the lives of thousands and leaving millions of damages in properties: Ondoy (Ketsana) in 2009, Sendong (Washi) in 2011, Habagat and Pablo (Bopha) in 2012, Habagat and Maring in 2013, Bohol earthquake, and on November 8, 2013, the strongest typhoon to ever hit the country in the form of Yolanda (Haiyan), affecting 15 million people, killing 7000, destroying the homes of 1.2 million, displacing over 4.1 million, ultimately affecting about 6.2 million children. World Vision as a child-focused humanitarian organization has actively responded to these major and overlapping disasters, in close coordination with the national and local government, its community partners with the help of like-minded humanitarian cluster groups, individuals and generous donors from here and around the globe. With the help from partners, it has assisted over 712,420 survivors to date.

 “We’ve said this many times and we’ll say it again – World Vision could have not done it without your help. That’s why in our own little way, through occasions like this, we express our gratitude for your undying support,” World Vision Executive Director Joasaias dela Cruz, stressed in his speech.

“As we journey through a life of service, we urge you to continually join us. The only way we can do it is with each other,” he called.

World Vision Board Chairman, Atty. Liwayway Vinzons Chato, reminded the guests how Typhoon Haiyan has taught us an invaluable lesson: “the forces of humanity­­ – brotherhood, faith, resilience, and hope—are infinitely stronger than any force of nature.”

Meanwhile, keynote speaker and World Vision Board Member, former Chief Justice Reynato Puno, shared a message of kindness and hope amid immeasurable devastation, by telling a true survivor story of a mom who lost three of her children from the storm surge in Tacloban. This mother, who despite her loss, still had it in her heart to help a fellow typhoon survivor by giving away her only bottle of water. (READ: World Vision gives aid)

“We have seen similar acts of sacrifice and selflessness throughout the four months of this global relief effort. We are grateful to the international community for its speedy and overwhelming response,” Puno said.

“We are all inviting you as we continue in our journey toward the rehabilitation phase of our response,” he appealed. World Vision continues its recovery efforts in Yolanda-affected areas in Regions 6, 7 and 8. (READ: In Numbers: 100 days after Yolanda)

HOPEFUL. Former World Vision sponsored child Lt. Cdr. Armand Balilo, event host Marc Nelson, and World Vision Executive Director Josaias dela Cruz

A former sponsored child

The same message was sent by Lt. Cdr. Armand Balilo, as he shared how his life has become a true testament to what World Vision has aspired to achieve since it started its work. A former sponsored child, he is now the spokesperson of the Philippine Coast Guard. Grateful to the family who sponsored his education, he is now gladly paying it forward as he sponsors five underprivileged children himself.

“I may have lost major portion of my childhood to poverty but just when it mattered the most, World Vision gave me a second chance at life through my sponsor family. It scares me to death thinking how my life would have been without World Vision”, he said.

He then encouraged the guests to help change children’s lives, as World Vision has done to his. “Part of the things we cannot control is being born into a poor family, but how we ensure that children from those families can have access to a brighter future is well within our control. Through child sponsorship, you become a child’s partner against life’s disasters and most importantly, a great instrument of God in giving his second chance.”

For more information about World Vision and its programs, visit www.worldvision.org.ph or call 372-7777. –Rappler.com


World Vision is an international Christian, humanitarian, development advocacy and relief organization that is child-focused and community-based. It is currently working in over 100 countries globally and in 44 communities all over the Philippines, helping over 105,000 poor children have access to education, good health and provide livelihood opportunities for families and their communities.

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