June 28, 2013
OTTAWA — Canada is providing essential lifesaving assistance to people in India following the severe flooding and landslides resulting from heavy monsoon rains, announced the Honourable Julian Fantino, Minister of International Development.
"Canada and India have a strong partnership and people-to-people ties that bond us together, especially in times of great need,’’ said Minister Fantino. ‘‘Canada is committed to ensuring that the most vulnerable individuals in India are receiving emergency support. Rescuers are working tirelessly to help families affected by the monsoon."
Due to heavy and unseasonably early monsoon rains, which started in mid-June, tens of thousands of people in the state of Uttarakhand in northern India have been affected. More than a thousand people are reported dead and tens of thousands are stranded. Canada will help assist approximately 25,000 affected people in India, with support such as tents, essential relief items, safe drinking water, and improved hygiene promotion and awareness.
"Canada is a compassionate neighbour, and our assistance around the world is an expression of our solidarity and generosity," said Minister Fantino. "Canada will continue to monitor the situation in India to ensure humanitarian needs are met."
With Canada's assistance, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies will support the Indian Red Cross Society to provide essential non-food items such as clothes, bed sheets, blankets, emergency tents, increased access to safe drinking water, and improved awareness of hygiene practices to affected populations in Uttarakhand state.
This assistance has been provided through Canada's Emergency Disaster Assistance Fund, a project managed by the Canadian Red Cross Society. For more details on this emergency operation supported by Canada, refer to Disaster Relief Emergency Fund (DREF) – India: Monsoon Flash Floods.
Economic Action Plan 2013 reaffirms Canada's commitment to humanitarian work such as this support for the people of India. The new Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development will maintain the mandate of poverty alleviation and the ability to respond to humanitarian crises.
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