January 19, 2010
OTTAWA—The Honourable Beverley J. Oda, Minister of International Cooperation, announced today that Canada would provide an additional $80 million in humanitarian assistance for Haiti. Today's announcement brings Canada's total response to a potential $135 million and involves contributions to the United Nations (UN) and the International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) Appeals, together with contributions to Canadian non-governmental organizations providing services to earthquake-affected Haitians. Priorities for the Canadian funding include the provision of emergency food, water and sanitation, medical treatment, shelter, and protection for the vulnerable.
"Millions of people are struggling to overcome the impacts of the devastating earthquake in Haiti. Through its contributions to vital United Nations partners such as the World Food Programme and UNICEF, the IFRC, and NGO partners, our government will help support Haitians as they rebuild their lives and communities," said Minister Oda. "We are committed to playing a significant role in responding to the impact of this disaster, not only in these early days of rescue and relief operations, but also in addressing longer-term recovery and reconstruction needs."
Canada's $60 million response to the United Nations appeal will fund essential necessities and basic services provided on the ground by UN agencies. This includes $39 million to the World Food Programme and $15 million to UNICEF for interventions in the areas of health, nutrition, protection, and water and sanitation services. The remainder of Canada's contribution to the Appeal will be targeted at essential services provided by the World Health Organization/Pan American Health Organization, the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, the International Organization for Migration, the United Nations Population Fund, and the United Nations Department of Safety and Security.
The Government is making a major contribution of $8.5 million in response to the IFRC's appeal for the provision of humanitarian assistance. The IFRC is helping to meet the emergency needs of an estimated 300,000 people affected by the Haiti earthquake.
Canada is also providing an additional $11.5 million in support of further critical disaster relief efforts by Canadian non-governmental organizations. This support will enable organizations such as CARE, Médecins du Monde, Save the Children, Oxfam Quebec, the Canadian Red Cross Society, the Centre for International Studies and Cooperation (CECI), and World Vision to assist more than half a million people affected by the earthquake.
Today's announcement comes in addition to the initial $5 million for immediate humanitarian assistance announced on January 13 and to the Haiti Earthquake Relief Fund that will allow to match, dollar-for-dollar, the generosity of Canadian for a total of up to $50 million.
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Information:
Jessica Fletcher
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: media@acdi-cida.gc.ca
Backgrounders
January 19, 2010
Disbursement of Canada's Initial $5 Million for Humanitarian Assistance
On 13 January, Minister Oda announced that the Government of Canada would immediately provide an initial $5 million contribution for emergency shelter, medical services, food, relief items, water and sanitation services, and protection services in response to the earthquake in Haiti. All of this funding has been allocated on urgent priority actions.
First, in response to the International Federation of Red Cross (IFRC)'s Appeal for Haiti, CIDA is providing $2 million to the IFRC for vital emergency assistance to the most affected populations. The funding is being used to provide essential services, temporary shelter, restoration of water and sanitation facilities, and medical care for 10,000 families.
Second, CIDA has provided $1.7 milliontodeliver and transport urgently needed relief supplies to crisis-afflicted Haitians.
Third, CIDA has provided $800,000 for an emergency field hospital in Haiti, as well as 10 Canadian medical professionals. The emergency field hospital is a Norwegian and Canadian Red Cross co-funded facility, which will provide essential surgical and medical care for up to 300 people per day. The hospital includes customized modules such as surgery, first aid and triage, a ward of 70 beds, a community health unit, and a psychosocial support unit. The hospital is currently deployed in Port-au-Prince and is operational.
Finally, CIDA provided $500,000 in additional funds to CANADEM to deploy 10 Canadian humanitarian experts to humanitarian partners, such as the United Nations' Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), UNICEF, the World Food Programme, and other UN agencies.
Canada's Response to the UN, IFRC and NGOs Appeals for Haiti
The Honourable Beverley Oda, Minister of International Cooperation, announced today an additional $80 million in humanitarian assistance for Haiti in response to various appeals.
United Nations Appeal
The Government of Canada, through the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA), is providing $60 million to UN agencies in response to the United Nations Appeal for humanitarian assistance for the people of Haiti. The funding will be disbursed as follows:
$39 million to the World Food Programme: $33 million for emergency food aid for an estimated 2 million people and $6 million for essential air transportation and logistical support.
$15 million to the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) for humanitarian assistance through interventions in the areas of health, nutrition, protection, and water and sanitation services for women and children.
$1.5 million to the World Health Organization/Pan American Health Organization for rapid assessments of health needs, detection of disease, reactivation of primary health care services and psycho-social support, and availability of medical supplies in hospitals.
$750,000 to the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs for coordination of the international, and local humanitarian activities on the ground to ensure an efficient and effective response to humanitarian needs.
$3 million to the International Organization for Migration for the provision of basic shelter to support the displaced population.
$500,000 to the United Nations Population Fund for multi-sectoral services, such as social and health support for women and girls.
$250,000 to the United Nations Department of Safety and Security for the provision of coordinated safety and security services for the overall UN and non-governmental organization response to the earthquake in Haiti.
International Federation of the Red Cross (IFRC) Appeal
The Government of Canada, through the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA), is providing $8.5 million in response to the IFRC appeal to provide for essential humanitarian assistance. This funding will help meet the emergency needs of an estimated 300,000 people affected by the Haiti earthquake. It will support activities such as the provision of basic water, sanitation and health services. The IFRC will also conduct rapid emergency needs, which will allow it to meet the needs of the most affected population.
Appeals by non-governmental organizations
The Government of Canada, through the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA), is providing $11.5 million in response to appeals by the following Canadian non-governmental organizations:
$1.5 million to CARE to meet the immediate needs of an estimated 25,000 people through the provision of emergency safe water, hygiene kits, basic shelter and non-food items. CARE will focus its activities on supporting women and children as well as vulnerable households.
$1 million to Médecins du Monde to meet the immediate needs of up to 400,000 people in Cité Soleil, which is one area particularly affected by the earthquake. Médecins du Monde will provide critical basic health services for wounded or sick populations and provide psychological support for populations affected by post traumatic stress syndrome.
$2.1 million to Save the Children Canada for lifesaving health and protection needs of approximately 10,000 families. This will include the provision of safe drinking water, basic hygiene kits and child friendly spaces.
$1 million to Oxfam Quebec for the provision of basic water and sanitation, shelter and non-food items (such as blankets and mosquito nets) to meet the emergency needs of an estimated 8,000 families. These activities will be implemented in the most affected areas of Port-au-Prince as well as in surrounding areas.
An additional $2 million to the Canadian Red Cross Society for expanding the activities of the field hospital which the Norwegian and Canadian Red Cross have jointly deployed. This additional funding will provide for increased support in the form of materials such as an ambulance, hospital tents, surgical kits, additional hospital beds and sterilization kits. The mobile hospital will provide safe medical and surgical interventions over the next 6 months, reaching an estimated 18,000 patients.
$900,000 to CECI (Centre d'études et de coopération internationale) for the distribution of survival kits that are comprised of non-food items such as kitchen items, hygiene, water purification tablets, temporary shelter etc.to individuals and families displaced by the earthquake.
$1.5 million to World Vision to meet the immediate, life-saving needs of earthquake-affected people in the Lower Petionville and Canape Vert neighbourhoods of Port-au-Prince. In coordination with other humanitarian organizations, World Vision will provide emergency shelter, non-food item distribution, water and sanitation, and protection for vulnerable segments of society, particularly children.
$1.5 million for the Canadian Red Cross Society for the procurement, delivery and transport of urgently needed relief supplies to crisis-affected Haitians.
