December 16, 2004 Ottawa -- Jean Augustine, Member of Parliament for Etobicoke-Lakeshore and Special Advisor for Grenada, announced today, on behalf of International Cooperation Minister Aileen Carroll, that Canada will provide an additional $4.6 million to Grenada for reconstruction efforts in response to the devastation caused by Hurricane Ivan in early September. "This additional contribution to Grenada's recovery will respond to needs identified by Grenada's government and community groups, " Ms. Augustine said. " With the local organizations, international agencies and government entities all working together, Grenadians will overcome the set-back of Ivan and forge a brighter future for all citizens." Ms. Augustine made the announcement while Minister Carroll was visiting reconstruction sites in Grenada. "Canada was there to provide immediate assistance to people in urgent need of help and will be there as they rebuild communities and critical infrastructure, " Ms. Augustine said. " These new commitments will help the public sector and civil society contribute to recovery." The funds will be provided by the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) and will be disbursed in the following manner: $4.35 million to operate the new Agency for Reconstruction and Development, which coordinates all reconstruction programs in the country. a $250,000 increase to the Canada Fund for Local Initiatives for the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States, administered by the Canadian High Commission in Bridgetown, Barbados. The additional funds will be used for priority reconstruction initiatives identified by local community-based organizations in Grenada. This brings Canada's contribution to $10.7 million for emergency relief and post-disaster reconstruction in Grenada since early September. In addition, CIDA also has an ongoing program of development cooperation in the Eastern Caribbean that is supporting the efforts of the member states of the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States to strengthen their resilience as small-island developing states. The Canadian development cooperation program provided $9.4 million in 2003/04 to address regional issues such as environmental management, education system reform, public expenditure management, and legal and judicial reform. 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 Web site: www.cida.gc.ca (electronic version of document)
