2006-13) News Release
Tuesday, June 6, 2006
Backgrounder
Ottawa — Minister of International Cooperation, Josée Verner, today announced that Canada has set aside another $4 million dollars for humanitarian assistance, recovery and reconstruction in the region affected by the Indonesian earthquake. This brings Canada's response to assist the people affected by the disaster to a total of $6 million.
"Canada was able to respond quickly and effectively to the urgent needs of families requiring shelter, water and basic necessities," said Minister Verner. "Now we are committed to helping Indonesians for the long term with a view to bringing back a sense of normalcy to those whose lives have been shattered by the earthquake."
In response to the announcement, Foreign Affairs Minister Peter MacKay said, "I commend the Government of Indonesia and the Indonesian people for their resolve to rebuild in the wake of the devastating earthquake. When I spoke to Indonesian Foreign Minister Wirajuda in the immediate aftermath, I assured him of Canada's readiness to assist. Today's announcement is a further demonstration of this commitment."
Today's funding will be allocated as follows:
Humanitarian Assistance ($1 million)
$1 million will be provided to various multilaterial humanitarian aid agencies through the Indonesia Earthquake 2006 Emergency Response Plan. The funding will be used to provide earthquake affected communities with emergency and transitional shelter, water and sanitation support as well as child protection and health services. It will also support the coordination and logistics mechanisms of the overall emergency response.
Recovery and Reconstruction ($3 million)
$2.4 million will respond to initiatives identified once the detailed needs assessments are completed by the Government of Indonesia and will involve both Canadian and Indonesian partners.
$600,000 will be used to support early recovery operations by local non-governmental organizations, institutions, and community/religious groups. These funds, for example, will be used to establish public kitchens in the affected areas and to continue outreach services to earthquake affected communities.
This latest funding is in addition to the $2 million dollars announced by Minister Verner the day after the earthquake to respond to the needs of those affected by the disaster. This humanitarian assistance has been allocated to various reputable non-governmental organizations, such as the International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, Save the Children Canada and World Vision Canada.
For a breakdown on Canada's response to the Indonesian earthquake, please see the enclosed backgrounder.
Information:
Media Relations Office
Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA)
Telephone: (819) 953-6534
E-mail: info@acdi-cida.gc.ca
Media Relations Office
Foreign Affairs Canada
Telephone: (613) 995-1874
Website: http://www.international.gc.ca
Canada's Response to Assisting Victims of the Indonesian Earthquake
On May 27, 2006, the Honourable Josée Verner, Minister of International Cooperation, announced that Canada would assist the people in Indonesia in rebuilding their lives in the wake of a devastating earthquake. To date, Canada has provided $6 million dollars for humanitarian assistance, recovery and reconstruction in the region.
Humanitarian Assistance (over $3 million)
$1.15 million to the International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies for emergency health, relief items, water and sanitation as well as emergency and transitional shelter.
$212,500 to Save the Children Canada for emergency assistance for children affected by the earthquake. The funding will help bring a sense of normalcy to the lives of approximately 3000 children in the region by establishing up to 60 temporary learning/safe play spaces, based on rapid assessment findings and distributing 60 emergency education kits with local education authorities.
$200,000 to World Vision Canada to meet the immediate basic human needs by providing emergency shelter and essential non-food items to approximately 2000 households. Items that will be distributed include mats, towels, cooking and kitchen utensils, soap, clothing for children and adults, and water carriers.
$200,000 to OXFAM to help meet the basic health needs of 10,000 people affected by the earthquake through the provision of sanitation facilities. OXFAM will install 500 emergency latrines and 500 bathing areas to ensure adequate sanitation and hygiene. The assistance will be focused primarily on hospitals, health clinics and emerging displacement sites, while ensuring that the specific needs of women are taken into consideration.
$500,000 to the International Organization for Migration to provide emergency and transitional shelter for over 12,500 people as well as and emergency medical response for 5000 people. The funding will also be used for logistical and transportation support for the overall humanitarian effort.
$400,000 to UNICEF to ensure the provision of safe drinking water and adequate sanitation facilities for 25,000 people. It will also provide basic learning supplies and 1000 tents for temporary learning spaces as well as establish five children centres. In addition, UNICEF will build community awareness of violence, abuse, exploitation and trafficking of children as well as monitor the situation.
$250,000 to the World Health Organization to coordinate and monitor the overall health situation for communities in the affected area. It will also establish and strengthen disease surveillance and early warning systems for disaster related epidemics and ensure adequate supply of basic medical equipment and drugs.
$100,000 to the United Nations' Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs for coordination of the overall humanitarian effort in their role as the lead UN humanitarian coordination agency.
Recovery and Reconstruction Assistance ($3 million)
$2.4 million will respond to initiatives identified once the detailed needs assessments are completed by the Government of Indonesia and will involve both Canadian and Indonesian partners.
$600,000 will be used to support early recovery operations by local non-governmental organizations, institutions, and community/religious groups. These funds, for example, will be used to establish public kitchens in affected areas and to continue outreach services to earthquake affected communities.
