“On November 8th we saw a record setting typhoon descend on the Philippines, wreaking havoc, uprooting entire villages, killing thousands and displacing millions more. The scale of devastation has been horrific, and the needs of the people of the Philippines are been dire.
“Ladies and gentlemen, I take enormous pride in telling you that the response to this tragedy that I’ve seen from the Canadian Armed Forces has been truly remarkable. Following the lead of the Government of Canada, and working with our Canadian and international partners, we have been enabling crucial humanitarian support on the ground, and making a difference for people with such critical needs.
“With our CC-144 Challenger aircraft we enabled the rapid deployment of the Interdepartmental Strategic Support Team (which was led by the Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development). We contributed to this team, and to the Humanitarian Assistance Reconnaissance Team which worked with consular officials and representatives of the Government of the Philippines to help identify where relief efforts would be best directed. We know from experience how crucially important it is to have this work done in advance, and in this case, we can clearly see the benefit.
“Our relief efforts have since been focused on Panay Island, where our Disaster Assistance Response Team has been based, and where additional supplies and equipment have been flown in by our CC-177 Globemaster III aircraft. Our engineering teams there have been working to restore power and clear roads to enable more humanitarian aid to flow in; while our medical teams have been providing assistance in coastal towns. Our crews have been working to deploy reverse osmosis water purification systems to provide much needed clean drinking water. We also have CH-147 Griffon helicopters and crews on the way – these will extend the reach of our DART members even further. Canadians can be proud of the work you have been doing, and of the difference you are making for the people of the Philippines.
“I find it remarkable to think back to just a few short years ago, before we had the CC-177 Globemaster. Since then we have not only acquired these aircraft, but we honed our skills deploying them on international missions to Afghanistan, Mali and now to the Philippines. I find it remarkable to think of the skills our medical teams learned under fire in Afghanistan; skills that are now being applied to deliver much needed humanitarian assistance in the Philippines. With new equipment and hard-won experience, you are truly making a difference.
“Ladies and gentlemen, Canadians viewing your work in the Philippines can be proud – they can be proud that their military is well-equipped, well-trained, experienced, and ready to respond when the world needs it. That’s something you should take pride in too.
“Bravo zulu – well done.”
