October 13, 2010
Mississauga, Ontario — Today, on International Day for Disaster Reduction, the Honourable Beverley J. Oda, Minister of International Cooperation, announced support for reducing the impact of natural disasters in the Caribbean.
The Government of Canada, through the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA), will support the Canadian Red Cross's efforts to assist Caribbean countries and local communities to better prepare for natural disasters.
"Canada's support for this project is a component of Canada's Caribbean Disaster Risk Management Program," said Minister Oda. "It is only by strengthening the region's resiliency to natural disasters that Caribbean states will reduce the number of lives lost and the severe impacts on their populations."
"On behalf of the Canadian Red Cross, I'd like to thank the Government of Canada for this generous contribution," said Conrad Sauvé, Secretary General of the Canadian Red Cross. "Investments in prevention and preparedness activities are investments in the future. This support will allow the Red Cross to work alongside communities in the Caribbean to help them become stronger, healthier and more resilient in the face of disaster."
Canada's $3.5 million contribution to the Canadian Red Cross project will help deliver training that will enable people living in vulnerable communities in the Caribbean region to better understand the hazards in their environment, adopt practices that will make their homes safer, and help them prepare for disasters.
Other projects delivered as part of Canada's $20 million Caribbean Disaster Management Program are helping to improve the safety of hospitals, develop health disaster plans, strengthen the coordination of disaster response activities, and build better emergency telecommunications systems.
The Caribbean Region is part of CIDA's countries of focus for international development assistance.
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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
Email: media@acdi-cida.gc.ca
