April 23, 2008
No. 96
The Honourable Maxime Bernier, Minister of Foreign Affairs, and the Honourable Beverley J. Oda, Minister of International Cooperation, today made the following announcement concerning efforts to resolve the food crisis in Haiti:
"The global food crisis is becoming particularly acute in Haiti, where a large percentage of the population lives under very precarious conditions, as I witnessed during my trip last February," said Minister Bernier. "Canada, in cooperation with its international partners, is committed to supporting President Préval's efforts to meet the needs of Haitians."
"Haiti is the second-largest recipient of Canadian aid, and it is crucial for Canada to encourage a coordinated effort to address the situation in this impoverished country," said Minister Oda.
"The efforts of donor countries must be harmonized with those of the Haitian government to produce concrete results for the people of Haiti. Canada will take part in a high-level international delegation to Port-au-Prince on April 24 and 25, 2008, to discuss the current food crisis with the Haitian government and to provide short-term solutions as part of Canada's long-term engagement with Haiti," added Minister Oda.
Haiti is central to Canada's re-engagement in the Americas. The country has made considerable progress under the leadership of President René Préval. However, the events of the past few weeks, sparked by the rising price of fuel oil and commodities such as corn and rice, have served as a reminder of the fragility of these achievements and of the need for coordinated action on the part of the international community.
For further information on Canada's commitment in Haiti, please consult the following sites:
Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada
www.international.gc.ca/international/index.aspx
Canadian International Development Agency
www.acdi-cida.gc.ca/cidaweb/acdicida.nsf/En/Home
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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
www.international.gc.ca/index.aspx
