Plan Canada Launches Pakistan Appeal to Help 500,000 Children in Escalating Pakistan Conflict

Toronto, Canada, May 26, 2009 --(PR.com)-- Plan Canada is launching a nationwide fund raising appeal to help more than 800,000 people fleeing into refugee camps to escape the escalating conflict between the Taliban and government forces in northwest Pakistan.

"This is the greatest exodus of a terrorized population in such a short period of time since Rwanda, and 70% of this population are children," said Rosemary McCarney, president and CEO of Plan Canada which is part of Plan, a global movement for change, mobilizing millions of people worldwide to support social justice for children in the developing world.

"These children are fleeing with nothing more than the clothes on their backs and the 18 refugee camps set up by the government need help to provide the basic food, water and shelter required to cope with the massive influx of people," McCarney said.

Plan resources are already on the ground in Pakistan, working to provide basic necessities as well as counselling and child-friendly spaces in camps where children will be safe. Plan is striving to raise $1 million to help support the Pakistan relief efforts.

Canadians can make a donation online at www.plancanada.ca .

About Plan Canada:

Plan Canada is part of Plan, a global movement for change, mobilizing millions of people worldwide to support social justice for children in the developing world. It is one of the world's oldest and largest international development organizations, working in more than 65 countries worldwide on critical issues affecting millions of children.

Editor's Note - Experts for comment in Canada and from Pakistan are available through:

Richard Chassie, Idea Workshop at 416-920-1220

Steve Theobald, Plan Canada at 416-568-6525

Contacts:
Idea Workshop
Richard Chassie
416-920-1220

Plan Canada
Steve Theobald
416-568-6525

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