Canada’s support to Médecins Sans Frontières is helping to improve access to emergency health care
August 22, 2014 – Ottawa, Ontario – Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development Canada
Today, the Honourable Dr. K. Kellie Leitch, Minister of Labour and Minister of Status of Women, announced, on behalf of the Honourable Christian Paradis, Minister of International Development and La Francophonie, funding for Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) to support its operations in Ethiopia that are improving access to health care and medical services for an estimated 478,000 people living in Ethiopia’s conflict-affected Somali region. She was joined by Royal Galipeau, Member of Parliament for Ottawa—Orléans. The announcement was made prior to a round table with non-governmental organization officials to discuss Canada's leadership role to date as well as what concrete actions Canada should take in going forward to improve maternal, newborn and child health.
“Humanitarian needs in Ethiopia continue to be significant,” said Minister Leitch. “With Canada’s support, vulnerable people, particularly women and children, living in the Somali region of Ethiopia will have improved access to basic health care and medical services, immunizations, and the prevention and treatment of acute malnutrition.”
Ethiopia continues to face significant humanitarian challenges, including chronic drought in many areas of the country, widespread food insecurity, the effects of ongoing conflict in the southeastern Somali region, and the impact of hosting a large population of Somali, Sudanese, and Eritrean refugees.
"Médecins Sans Frontières has been working in Doolo and Jerar [Ethiopia] since 2007,” said Stephen Cornish, Executive Director of Médecins Sans Frontières. “With a lack of access to health care in rural areas, the project remains just as vital and pertinent today as when it was opened. We appreciate the support provided by the Government of Canada in our efforts to assist this highly vulnerable population.”
The round table meeting held today was part of the consultations being held from coast to coast to coast that were announced by Prime Minister Stephen Harper at the Saving Every Woman, Every Child: Within Arm’s Reach summit, which took place in Toronto on May 28–30, 2014.
“Canada’s top development priority is improving maternal, newborn and child health,” said Minister Paradis. “This government is committed to addressing the health needs of women and children. This includes women and children affected by crises, conflicts and natural disasters. That is why we work with humanitarian partners, such as Médecins Sans Frontières, to help save lives and alleviate suffering.”
Canada directs a significant amount of its aid to sub-Saharan African countries such as Ethiopia as this region faces particularly acute challenges in improving child survival and maternal health. Ethiopia is one of Canada’s countries of focus to improve maternal, newborn and child health.
Today’s consultation focused on how to ensure that global commitments to improve maternal, newborn, and child health deliver real results to those in need while remaining accountable to Canadian taxpayers. Canada is committed to scaling up interventions that will have the greatest impact, including in the areas of nutrition, vaccinations and newborn health.
Sandrine Périon
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of International Development and La Francophonie
343-203-6238
sandrine.perion@international.gc.ca
Media Relations Office
Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development Canada
343-203-7700
media@international.gc.ca
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