(2004-44) News Release October 1, 2004 OTTAWA -- The Honourable Aileen Carroll, Minister of International Cooperation, announced today a contribution of $8.1 million to assist in reconstruction efforts in the Caribbean, in the wake of Hurricane Ivan and tropical storm Jeanne, and to provide humanitarian assistance for Haiti. The funds will be provided by the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA). "Canada provided immediate humanitarian aid to those affected by the destruction caused by Hurricane Ivan," Minister Carroll said. "We are following up on our commitment to help the people in the Caribbean recover from the aftermath of this tragedy by also providing assistance for reconstruction." Reconstruction in response to Hurricane Ivan will be aimed at the Eastern Caribbean, primarily Grenada ($4.5 million) and Jamaica ($2 million). The funds will be used for economic reconstruction and agricultural recovery and is in addition to over $2 million already provided for emergency assistance to the people of Grenada, Jamaica, Cuba and other affected countries. The needs assessments resulting from the damages caused by Hurricane Ivan are ongoing. The results of these will determine recommendations for additional relief and will form the basis upon which programming for reconstruction will take place. CIDA is also contributing $1 million to the World Food Programme to support operations in Gonaives and Port-de-Paix, Haiti, the areas hardest hit by the floods caused by tropical storm Jeanne. This commitment for Haiti is on top of CIDA's initial $2 million contribution to support immediate relief efforts and is part of the more than $180 million over two years committed to Haiti's reconstruction and development efforts. In addition to these commitments, CIDA will provide: $250,000 to Médecins du Monde Canada for the provision of mobile emergency health, epidemiological surveillance and vaccination clinics to flood affected victims in Gonaives, Haiti, for a period of three months. $250,000 to the International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) to support relief operations in the north-west of Haiti. The Canadian Red Cross has also sent relief supplies to the IFRC, including plastic sheeting, blankets, and high-energy biscuits. These supplies were funded by CIDA and have an estimated value of $100,000. "These contributions demonstrate our solidarity with the people of Haiti, said Minister Carroll. "Canada has been there in the past for Haiti and we will continue to be there in the years to come." Security remains a significant concern for the successful delivery by road of food and other non-food assistance into the flooded regions of Haiti. The UN and its partners continue to monitor the situation closely and have deployed additional security personnel to help protect the delivery of urgently needed supplies. Further details concerning Canada's contribution in response to Hurricane Ivan and tropical storm Jeanne can be found on CIDA's Web site at: http://www.acdi-cida.gc.ca/index-e.htm. Funding for this initiative was provided for in the March 2004 federal budget and is therefore built into the existing fiscal framework. - 30 - Information: Andrew Graham Director of Communications Office of the Minister of International Cooperation Telephone: (819) 953-6238 Media Relations Office Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) Telephone: (819) 953-6534 E-mail: info@acdi-cida.gc.ca CANADA'S RESPONSE TO HURRICANE IVAN AND TROPICAL STORM JEANNE Hurricane Ivan moved through the Caribbean for more than a week in mid-September 2004, wreaking havoc in several countries. The most seriously affected countries eligible for development assistance are Grenada, Jamaica and Cuba. Tropical storm Jeanne then passed the island of Hispaniola triggering massive rains and mudslides in communities in Haiti and the Dominican Republic. The flooding was especially severe in the north-western part of Haiti where Gonaïves, the third largest city in Haiti, was hard-hit. Canada is very concerned about the situation in the Caribbean and has been responding to the crisis. Haiti: In Haiti, reports state that there are approximately 1500 dead and 900 missing.The Dominican Republic was also affected although not to the same extent as Haiti. Approximately 25 people have died. Current priorities are body retrieval, food and water distribution, and re-establishing communications. Security and impassable roads remain the main obstacles facing humanitarian organizations working in Gonaives. Canada's response: $2 million to local organizations, non-governmental organizations, and United Nations agencies to carry out relief efforts. $1 million to the World Food Programme to assist victims of the flood in Haiti. $250,000 to Médecins du Monde Canada for the provision of mobile emergency health, epidemiological surveillance and vaccination clinics to flood affected victims in Gonaives, Haiti, for a period of three months. $250,000 to the International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies to support relief items in the north-west of Haiti. With the assistance of CIDA, the Canadian Red Cross has sent several tonnes of relief supplies to Haiti via Canadian military transport. Additional assistance will be provided in response to appeals following needs assessments. Canada's regional humanitarian response following Hurricane Ivan: A total of $900,000 in cash was provided to the International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, which is providing assistance in Grenada, Jamaica, Cuba and the Cayman Islands. $400,000 was provided to CARE Canada's relief efforts in Jamaica and Cuba. $250,000 was provided to the Pan American Health Organization's work in Jamaica and Grenada. Grenada At least 23 people died and 90 percent of the country's homes have suffered some damage. The International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies will provide assistance to approximately 60,000 people. Canada's response: $4.5 million for economic reconstruction and agricultural recovery. Through the Canadian Red Cross, 10 tonnes of emergency relief items were airlifted to Grenada including generators, plastic sheeting, picks, shovels and drinking water supplies. $250,000 to Oxfam's relief efforts in Grenada. $60,000 to the Barbados Salvation Army for Grenada. Two Canadian public servants participated in a multilateral assessment team in Grenada. Jamaica: At least 15 people died and there was extensive damage to roofs and roads. Some 18,000 people are estimated to be displaced. Canada's response: $2 million for economic recontruction and agricultural recovery. Through the Canadian Red Cross, 10 tonnes of relief supplies sent to Jamaica, including generators, plastic sheeting, picks, shovels and drinking water supplies. $50,000 was provided to the Jamaican Red Cross, and $50,000 to the Jamaican Salvation Army, and $25,000 to the Jamaica Fishermen's Cooperative Union. Cuba: Cuba avoided the worst of the hurricane, though there was damage to homes, agricultural lands and infrastructure, especially on the western tip of the island. Canada's response: Through regional efforts.
