Famine cash committed to tsunami

Money raised in this year's 40 Hour Famine has already been committed to World Vision's tsunami relief work, even though the event is yet to be held.

The 40 Hour Famine is from March 18 to March 20, when schoolchildren and students will be sponsored to go without food (or technology) over the weekend.

World Vision has already earmarked $138,000 for tsunami relief.

World Vision youth marketing manager Lisa Trail said some of the money raised was often used for crises or emergencies.

"We have set projects every year that we fund, and these always involve children - street children, children working on rubbish dumps, abandoned children or those rescued from child prostitution, children orphaned or affected by HIV/Aids, and children in bonded labour," she said.

But while most of the money went to those projects, "we always commit a certain amount, or hold a certain amount in reserve, so we can immediately help in times of crises, such as the Boxing Day tsunami, or the Bam earthquake."

Mrs Trail said the urgency of the tsunami crisis made participants see the famine as relevant and responsive.

Those taking part do not have to go without food over famine weekend. They can give up something they love, such as talking, cellphones, computers or stereos, join an activity such as a runathon, or take part in a "refugee camp".

- NZPA