Today is the last day for eligible donations to be matched by the Government of Canada's East Africa Drought Relief Fund. Kevin McCort, President and CEO of CARE Canada, welcomed Minister Oda as she made a personal donation. Three members of the Canadian Friends for Somalia accompanied Minister Oda as she toured a display of refugee supplies.
Today, the Honourable Beverley J. Oda, Minister of International Cooperation, visited the Ottawa offices of CARE Canada to highlight the East Africa Drought Relief Fund. For every dollar individual Canadians donate until midnight tonight to a registered Canadian charity responding to the drought in East Africa, the Government will contribute an equivalent amount to the Relief Fund. The fund will allow Canadians to help the relief efforts in East Africa. Over the last two months, many Members of Parliament promoted the fund through social media and community events across Canada.
"Millions of people in East Africa, especially children, continue to need your help due to the ongoing famine," said Minister Oda. "On this final day, I urge Canadians who have not donated, to help the people of East Africa who are suffering and facing death because of this drought, to donate today."
"Until midnight, for every donation made by individuals to a registered Canadian charity, the Government will contribute the same amount to the East Africa Drought Relief Fund," explained Minister Oda. "Donations can be made on-line through many registered charities."
For every dollar an individual Canadian donated over the last 10 weeks (starting July 6, 2011 and ending September 16, 2011) to a registered Canadian charity responding to the drought in East Africa, the Government will contribute an equivalent amount to the East Africa Drought Relief Fund. The Government of Canada will administer the relief fund separately, disbursing funds to organizations best suited to make an effective and real difference in the lives of people affected by the drought. This fund is in addition to Canada's earlier contribution of $72 million.
Without any significant rainfall for over two years, people in the region are experiencing crop failure, loss of livestock and acute malnutrition, resulting in the migration of hundreds of thousands of people. This has led to a humanitarian crisis, with more than 13 million people needing humanitarian assistance, which many experts forecast will extend into the next year.
For more information on Canada's response to the East Africa drought and for further details on the East Africa Drought Relief Fund, please visit CIDA's website.
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For more information
Justin Broekema
Press Secretary to the Minister of International Cooperation
Tel. 819-953-6238
Email: justin.broekema@acdi-cida.gc.ca
Media Relations Office
Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA)
Tel. 819-953-6534
Email: media@acdi-cida.gc.ca
