Ottawa, Ontario--The Honourable Beverley J. Oda, Minister of International Cooperation, today announced additional support to fight the growing cholera epidemic in Haiti, which has hospitalized more than 18,000 people and claimed 1,186 lives to date. Canada's response to the latest United Nations' appeal adds to the Canadian support announced on October 23.
"The Government of Canada is committed to help the vulnerable people of Haiti who are struggling with this deadly cholera outbreak," said Minister Oda. "We are constantly monitoring the evolving scale of the outbreak under the already challenging conditions in Haiti and are ready to support all prevention efforts and provide needed treatment."
Canada, through CIDA, will provide a further $4 million in addition to the $1 million already announced on October 23 by Prime Minister Stephen Harper to respond to the outbreak. Of this total contribution, $2.45 million will support the continuing work of the Pan-American Health Organization (PAHO) in its coordination efforts involving close to 70 health organizations in Haiti and the distribution of tens of thousands of litres of chlorinated water to affected areas and health facilities. PAHO has also undertaken a mass information campaign to attempt to prevent the spread of cholera.
Two million dollars from today's announcement will assist UNICEF in increasing access to safe drinking water and ensuring that children and adults receive life-saving treatments. As well, $550,000 of the previous commitment was provided to Oxfam-Québec to support its work in response to the cholera outbreak in the Artibonite region.
Today's contribution brings Canada's response to the cholera epidemic in Haiti to $5 million. In total, the Canadian government's current commitment to Haiti is over $1 billion (2006-2012), making Haiti the largest development assistance recipient in the Americas.
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Information:
Isabelle Bouchard
Office of the Minister of International Cooperation
Telephone: 819-953-3160
Media Relations Office
Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA)
Telephone: 819-953-6534
Email: media@acdi-cida.gc.ca
