May 2, 2015 - Toronto, Ontario - Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development Canada
Team members from Canadian Forces Base Trenton will deploy immediately to Nepal, along with civilian, political and humanitarian personnel from Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development Canada, at the direction of Prime Minister Stephen Harper and under the oversight of Canada’s High Commission to India, which is accredited to Nepal.
The day after last week’s earthquake, Canada deployed the Interdepartmental Strategic Support Team (ISST), followed by members of the Disaster Assistance Response Team (DART) to gain first-hand situational awareness of the scale of immediate needs on the ground and identify opportunities for assistance.
Yesterday the assessment team delivered its recommendations, including that additional elements of the DART should support relief efforts led by the Government of Nepal. The DART is a vital asset in Canada’s response to natural disasters abroad, specifically in meeting three critical needs: water purification; primary medical care; and engineering help.
Canada is supporting and tailoring its assistance to the needs of the Government of Nepal as it rebuilds its own capacity to respond to the disaster.
Johanna Quinney
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Foreign Affairs
343-203-1851
johanna.quinney@international.gc.ca
Media Relations Office
Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development Canada
343-203-7700
media@international.gc.ca
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