In June 2012, Canada and the Canadian Red Cross established a strategic partnership to strengthen Canada’s humanitarian response capacity, help communities become more resilient and be better able to support local responses to emergencies. Under this partnership, for every dollar contributed by the Canadian Red Cross, Canada contributes three dollars.
Today’s announcement of $10.8 million over four years toward the EDAF builds on this strategic partnership. These funds will allow the Canadian Red Cross to maintain the EDAF project, and will also allow the Canadian Red Cross to continue to manage Canada’s emergency relief stockpiles, which are based in Mississauga, Ontario, and in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
Since its creation, Canada has committed more than $12.5 million dollars to the EDAF and deployed Canada’s emergency relief stockpiles 14 times.
The EDAF is a draw-down fund administered by the Canadian Red Cross that allows for immediate Canadian support to the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies’ emergency operations in response to sudden-onset small- and medium-scale humanitarian situations, including natural disasters, non-recurrent health epidemics, and conflicts. The EDAF increases the effectiveness and timeliness of assistance to crisis-affected people.
For more information, please visit Emergency Disaster Assistance Fund.
Canada helps save lives, alleviate suffering and maintain the dignity of people affected by conflict, natural disasters and situations of food insecurity in developing countries by supporting the appropriate, timely and effective response of Canadian and international humanitarian organizations.
For more information on Canada’s response to humanitarian crises around the world, please visit Canada’s response to humanitarian crises.
DFATD’s emergency stockpiles are located in Mississauga, Ontario, and in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. When fully stocked, they include an array of items designed to meet the basic needs of a minimum of 5,000 families, or 25,000 people, for three months. This stockpile is comprised of relief items that are designed to meet the basic needs of crisis-affected populations such as tents, tarps, jerry cans to safely transport water, and kitchen sets.
