November 9, 2010
Ottawa, Ontario - The Honourable Beverley J. Oda, Minister of International Cooperation, today announced support for flood-ravaged Benin. The support will be administered through the World Food Programme (WFP) and CARE Canada.
"The flooding has affected more than 680,000 people and has ruined more than 133,000 hectares of farmland. This devastation will have a dramatic impact on much of Benin's food supply," said Minister Oda. "Canada's assistance is helping to provide the people of Benin affected by the flood, including 70,000 children, with much needed food and supplies."
Canada will provide $1.3 million, with $1 million to support the distribution by the WFP of much-needed food over the coming months to the flood-affected population.
The remaining funds will be provided to CARE Canada, which is focusing its emergency response in six of the worst-hit communities in Ouémé and Zou districts by providing emergency shelter items and essential household items, such as plastic sheeting, bedding materials, and mosquito nets, and by mproving access to sanitation by providing affected people with hygiene kits.
Benin is currently experiencing a nutritional and food security crisis arising from unseasonably heavy rains in September, which have caused massive flooding. The flooding has left hundreds of thousands of people homeless and has caused massive destruction in 55 of 77 districts in Benin. The flooding has also destroyed food storage facilities and ruined critical farmland.
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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
