Friday, November 12, 2004 OTTAWA -- The Honourable Aileen Carroll, Minister of International Cooperation, today announced that Canada will allocate an additional $3 million to support humanitarian assistance and relief activities for victims of the recent flooding in Haiti. Minister Carroll made the announcement as Prime Minister Paul Martin prepares to travel to Haiti on Sunday to meet with government officials, representatives of the opposition parties, and development organizations. Today's funding will be provided through the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA). "Tropical storm Jeanne caused much devastation and hardship in Haiti," Minister Carroll said. "These additional funds will allow our dedicated partners in the field to continue their efforts to help those most in need and prevent the spread of disease." Today's announcement has two components. The first is an additional allocation of $2 million to the locally administered relief fund set up in Haiti immediately after the storm swept through the country. Canada initially made available $2 million to support local and non-governmental organizations carrying out relief activities, such as back to school and school feeding initiatives, as well as psychological support to school children and water and sanitation initiatives to prevent the spread of diseases, such as malaria. The second component is a $1 million allocation to various agencies that answered a recent United Nations appeal for additional aid to disaster victims. The agencies include UNICEF, the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, the Pan-American Health Organization, the International Organization for Migration, the International Federation of the Red Cross and the Red Crescent Societies, the World Food Programme and Médecins du Monde Canada. These contributions are part of Canada's commitment of more than $180 million over two years for Haiti's reconstruction and development efforts. "There is still a lot to do, but the Government of Haiti and local agencies have the situation well in hand," added Minister Carroll. "The people of Haiti appreciate the assistance Canadians continue to provide. It gives them hope and comfort to know that Canada will be at their side as long as it takes for them to overcome this difficult situation." Funding for this initiative was provided for in the March 2004 federal budget and is therefore built into the existing financial 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
