November 8, 2013
Ottawa — Today Christian Paradis, Minister of International Development and Minister for La Francophonie, and Lynne Yelich, Minister of State (Foreign Affairs and Consular) issued the following statement:
"Our thoughts and prayers are with all those affected by this powerful storm and Canada stands ready to support relief efforts and provide humanitarian assistance as required," said Minister Paradis. "We are in close contact with government authorities as well as humanitarian actors on the ground and Canadian field staff in the Philippines providing regular updates directly to my office."
Thousands have already been evacuated, and with the help of Canadian and UN assistance, the local government has taken precautions in order to help deal with the effects of the typhoon, including the stockpiling of food, water, temporary shelter and medicines to mount an effective response.
"Canadian officials in Ottawa and at our embassy in Manila are in close contact with Filipino authorities and will continue to monitor the impact of the typhoon," said Minister Yelich. "Canada stands ready to provide emergency consular assistance as required."
Canadian citizens in the Philippines requiring emergency consular assistance should contact the Canadian embassy in Manila at (02) 857-9000 or Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development Canada’s 24/7 Emergency Watch and Response Centre by dialing 1-800-1-110-0226 (toll-free within the Philippines if calling from a landline) or 001-613-996-8885 (collect calls are accepted where available).
Friends and relatives in Canada concerned for Canadian citizens they believe to be in the affected area should contact Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development Canada’s 24/7 Emergency Watch and Response Centre in Ottawa by calling toll-free 1-800-387-3124 or 613-996-8885 (collect calls are accepted) or sending an email to sos@international.gc.ca.
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For more information, media should contact:
Margaux Stastny, Director of Communications
Office of the Minister of International Development and Minister for La Francophonie
Telephone: 819-953-6238
Email: margaux.stastny@international.gc.ca
Adria Minsky
Director of Communications
Office of the Minister of State (Foreign Affairs and Consular)
Telephone: 613-944-1291
Email: Adria.Minsky@international.gc.ca
Media Relations Office
Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development Canada (DFATD)
Telephone: 819-995-1874
Email: media@international.gc.ca
Follow us on Twitter: @DFATDCanada
