September 30, 2009
No. 286
The Honourable Lawrence Cannon, Minister of Foreign Affairs, today issued the following statement on the situation in Samoa and the region following the earthquake that occurred there yesterday:
“Canada is deeply concerned about the impact of yesterday’s earthquake on the lives and livelihoods of the people of Samoa and the region. On behalf of all Canadians, I wish to extend our sympathies to the people and communities affected by this disaster.
“Officials at Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada in Ottawa and at the High Commission in New Zealand are actively monitoring the situation and remain in close contact with local authorities regarding the impact of the earthquake.
“We invite Canadian citizens who are in the area to call home and reassure their loved ones, even if they have not been affected by the earthquake.”
Canadians in the affected areas who require emergency consular assistance should contact the High Commission of Canada in Wellington at 64 (4) 473-9577. Alternatively, they may call Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada’s Emergency Operations Centre collect at 613-996-8885. They may also send an email to sos@international.gc.ca.
Friends and relatives in Canada seeking information on Canadian citizens believed to be in the affected areas should contact the Emergency Operations Centre at 1-800-387-3124 or 613-943-1055. They may also send an email to sos@international.gc.ca.
For up-to-date information, consult Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada’s Travel Report for Samoa.
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For further information, media representatives may contact:
Natalie Sarafian
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Foreign Affairs
613-995-1851
Foreign Affairs Media Relations Office
Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada
613-995-1874
