December 26, 2004 OTTAWA -- Aileen Carroll, Minister of International Cooperation, and Pierre Pettigrew, Minister of Foreign Affairs, announced today that Canada, through the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA), will support humanitarian assistance and relief efforts following the major earthquake that affected a number of countries across an extended area of coastal Asia. CIDA's initial contribution of $1 million will be delivered through the International Federation of Red Cross and Crescent Societies (IFRC). In addition, Foreign Affairs Canada is working diligently to provide assistance to Canadians living and travelling in the affected region. "Canada's contribution will help provide immediate relief to the region and those affected by this devastating earthquake," said Minister Carroll. "As relief organizations are currently assessing the needs on the ground, Canadian officials continue to closely monitor the situation and stand ready to give further humanitarian assistance." "Canadian officials in our diplomatic missions are working around the clock to respond to this tragedy as it unfolds," said Minister Pettigrew. "Our thoughts are with the anxious families who await word of the whereabouts of their loved ones who are currently in the regions devastated by the earthquakes and tidal waves." The earthquake struck Indonesia and subsequently triggered massive tidal waves in Sri Lanka, Thailand southern India, Indonesia, Burma, Bangladesh, Malaysia and Maldives. The death toll continues to rise. Canadians registered with our embassies in the region are being contacted by consular officials to determine if they are safe and in need of aid. A network of wardens and volunteers are assisting Canadian diplomats with these efforts. In addition, Canadian consular officials have been deployed from our embassy in Bangkok to Phuket, one of the more severely affected areas in Thailand, to aid Canadians in need of consular assistance. Further deployments will take place based on need. Anyone who has Canadian relatives in the affected areas should contact the Department of Foreign Affairs in Ottawa at 1-800-387-3124; or in Ottawa at (613) 996-8885. Canadians wishing to make a financial donation may call the Canadian Red Cross at 1-800-418-1111, contact their local Canadian Red Cross office, or online at www.redcross.ca. Donating cash rather than goods to trusted partners is an effective way for Canadians to help. Other Canadian non-governmental organizations responding to the crisis in the region are Oxfam, World Vision and Médecins Sans Frontières. Assessments will continue to be made as the situation unfolds. Funding for this initiative was provided for in the March 2004 federal budget and is therefore built into the existing fiscal framework. - 30 - Information: France Bureau Press Secretary 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 Sébastien Théberge Director of Communications Office of the Minister of Foreign Affairs Telephone: (613) 995-1851 Media Relations Office Foreign Affairs Canada and International Trade Canada (613) 995-1874 http://www.international.gc.ca
