August 20, 2007
No. 114
The Honourable Maxime Bernier, Minister of Foreign Affairs, and the Honourable
Beverley J. Oda, Minister of International Cooperation, today expressed Canada’s
concern for the countries of the Caribbean region affected by Hurricane Dean and, in
anticipation of the needs that will be generated, announced that up to $2 million in
immediate assistance will be made available as an element of a broader Canadian
response.
“On behalf of the government and people of Canada, I wish to extend my sympathies to
the families and friends of those affected by Hurricane Dean. I also want to remind
Canadians to visit voyage.gc.ca for the latest official Travel Warnings from the
Government of Canada,” said Minister Bernier. “I commend the governments of the
many countries that were, and are still, in the path of Hurricane Dean for their efforts to
ensure the safety of residents and tourists, including many Canadians.”
“At this time, we have no reports of any Canadian casualties,” the Minister added.
“Officials and honorary consuls from our embassies are providing emergency consular
services to affected Canadians in the region, and Foreign Affairs and International
Trade Canada staff are working with tour operators and airlines to help facilitate the
departure of Canadians from areas at risk. Government officials have also been
pre-positioned to further reinforce Government of Canada efforts.”
“Canada is offering up to $2 million in immediate aid for relief and recovery efforts in
countries hit by this devastating hurricane,” said Minister Oda. “This support will help
international aid agencies and non-governmental organizations meet the urgent needs
of people severely affected. Canada also stands ready to provide additional help where
needed to assist with relief and reconstruction.”
To support the readiness of governments in the Caribbean for natural disasters such as
hurricanes, Canada contributed $20 million in February 2007 to the new Caribbean
Catastrophe Risk Insurance Facility, a World Bank initiative that provides governments
with insurance against government losses caused by catastrophic hurricanes and
earthquakes. Prime Minister Stephen Harper also announced a $20 million regional
disaster risk reduction program in July 2007 during his visit to the region.
Canadians in the region can contact the Department of Foreign Affairs and International
Trade in Ottawa at sos@international.gc.ca or make a collect call to 613-996-8885. In
addition, the Consular Affairs Bureau’s website (http://www.voyage.gc.ca) is being
updated regularly with travel advice for the region.
For more information on how Canadians can help, please visit
http://geo.international.gc.ca/cip-pic/cip-pic/library/hurricane_dean-en.aspx.
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For further information, media representatives may contact:
Foreign Affairs Media Relations Office
Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada
613-995-1874
http://www.international.gc.ca
Media Relations Office
Canadian International Development Agency
819-953-6534
info@acdi-cida.gc.ca
http://www.acdi-cida.gc.ca
