Accra, June 8, GNA - The management of World Vision Ghana (WVG), a Non-Government Organisation, has donated relief items to Ivorian refugees i= n Ghana, through the Ghana Refugee Board (GRB. The items included 1000 treated mosquito nets, 1000 blankets, 1000 local mats, 1000 plastic buckets, 1000 cooking sets, 100 cartons of key soa= p and 1200 jerry cans.

Mr Basilio Okello, National Director of WVG, presenting the items, sai= d the donation was an expression of solidarity with the government of Ghana, the United Nations, Humanitarian Agencies and other goodwill agencies working in partnership towards alleviating the sufferings of the Ivorian refugees. Mr Okello said in emergency situations like the political violence in Ivory Coast, children and the vulnerable suffer the most, adding that, its outfit would not relent to ensure that children enjoy good health, educatio= n and protection.

He said World Vision would continue to mobilise resources and provide assistance to the suffering people in the refugee camps, as well as, elsewhere in the country.

Mr Okello said the organisation would respond to any call for assistance in the areas of child protection, water, sanitation and hygiene. Mr Augustine Safi, Secretary to the GRB received the items on behalf o= f the board. She thanked WVG for the assistance, saying that, the items would be used for its intended purposes of bringing relief to the affected persons. Mr Safi appealed to other corporate bodies and individuals to provide support to the affected in society since that would also help define care and affection to the needy.

Mr Veton Orana, Protection Officer of the United Nation High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), who witnessed the ceremony, appreciated the work of World Vision in addressing the plight of the vulnerable in society.

He said the UNHCR reported that 30,000 persons are seeking asylum in Ghana, with an estimated 16,000 of them being Ivorians. World Vision is a Christian relief, development and advocacy organisation dedicated to helping children and communities world-wide to acquire their full potential.

It also improves the health of children, basic education, spiritual an= d emotional life, and ensures protection from abuse, violence neglect and exploitation. World Vision began operations in Ghana in 1975 and had implemented programmes in all the 10 Regions.