The achievement of World Vision China in offering aid to poor regions has been once again recognized by local government.

On Sept. 8, the Christian-based charity won the "Shaanxi Charity Award" in the first Shaanxi Charity Conference held in Shannxi Province for its contribution of poverty alleviation and development projects, according to a press statement from World Vision China.

The Conference was held by the Civil Affairs Department of Shaanxi Province and the Shaanxi Charity Federation with an aim to commend individuals, organizations as well as charitable projects, which make significant charitable contribution in the Province.

As World Vision China reported, it has launched programs including child-focused area development, vocational training for the disabled, school construction, higher education assistance and disaster relief operation, since 2000. The accumulated funding expenditure is more than RMB 18.3 million and about 100,000 people have benefited from the different projects during the last six years.

Apart from Shaanxi, similar programs have been carrying out in Yannan Province. In late March this year, the government of Yongsheng County in Yunnan Province has recognized the 10-years work of World Vision as well. In May, World Vision China has become the first international nongovernmental organization that signed a Cooperation Framework Agreement with the Chinese government on poverty alleviation and development in the country.

At present, World Vision's projects are located in 17 provinces or municipalities or autonomous regions, mainly in the northwestern and southwestern parts of China. In fiscal year 2005, an estimated number of 3.4 million people in China benefited from World Vision.