Government Actions to Aid Victims of Typhoon
CANADA LAUNCHES MATCHING FUND TO HELP THOSE IMPACTED BY TYPHOON HAIYAN
November 10, 2013
OTTAWA – Canada is calling on Canadians to help support the people affected by the devastating effects of Typhoon Haiyan through a matching fund. The announcement was made today by the Honourable Christian Paradis, Minister of International Development and La Francophonie
"Time and time again Canadians ...have demonstrated they are among the most compassionate and generous people in the world. Our Government is making sure their contributions can do more to ease pain and suffering," said Minister Paradis. "Through this fund, for every eligible dollar donated by individual Canadians to registered Canadian charities in response to the crisis in the Philippines the government will donate an additional dollar – effectively doubling their contribution."
Typhoon Haiyan has caused widespread devastation in the Philippines affecting an estimated 9.5 million people. Over 615,000 people are currently displaced and well over 1,000 people have died according to the Philippine Red Cross. The numbers are expected to increase as more affected areas become accessible. The people of the Philippines and other affected countries by this storm are in dire need of clean water, hygiene and sanitation supplies, food, medicines and shelter.
Canada is also deploying the Interdepartmental Strategic Support Team, to assess needs on ground and identify potential response options, which could include the Disaster Assistance Response Team.
"This storm has had a devastating impact on the people of the Philippines, and sadly, it is not yet over. In the coming days, we will continue to monitor the situation, we will work with our partners to meet humanitarian needs and we will stand ready to provide further assistance if required," added the Minister.
On November 9, 2013, Canada also announced up to $5 million in support to humanitarian organizations striving to meet the needs of the people affected by Typhoon Haiyan. This was in addition to the initial allocation of $30,000 to the International Federation of the Red Cross on Friday, November 8 to help launch relief operations and meet the needs of those affected by this crisis. Emergency relief activities will include the provision of emergency shelter, food, water, livelihood support, and other essential services.
BACKGROUNDER
With the recent successive emergencies in the Philippines which began with the outbreak of fighting in Zamboanga City and Basilan on September 9 and the 7.2 magnitude Bohol earthquake on October 15, the response capacities of many agencies in the Humanitarian Country Team is overstretched.
Today, Canada announced the establishment of a mechanism to match donations made by individual Canadians to registered Canadian charities. For every eligible dollar donated by individual Canadians to registered Canadian charities from now until December 9, 2013, in the Philippines and other affected countries, the government will set aside one dollar for the Typhoon Haiyan Relief Fund.
The relief fund will provide effective and accountable financial support to experienced Canadian and international humanitarian organizations to meet immediate needs in response to the crisis in the Philippines region. Working through established Canadian and international humanitarian organizations will ensure an effective and timely response.
For more information on how to donate, Canadians can visit the Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development Canada website, or consult the list of registered Canadian charities on the Canada Revenue Agency website.
CANADA WILL PROVIDE UP TO $ 5 MILLION TO SUPPORT TYPHOON VICTIMS
News Release
November 9 2013
Canada supporting those impacted by Typhoon Haiyan
OTTAWA – The Honourable Christian Paradis, Minister of International Development and Minister for La Francophonie, and the Honourable John Baird, Minister of Foreign Affairs, announced today Canadian support to address the catastrophic effects of Typhoon Haiyan.
Cana...da will provide up to $5 million in support to humanitarian organizations striving to meet the needs of the people affected by this typhoon in the Philippines and surrounding regions. Emergency relief activities will include the provision of emergency shelter, food, water, livelihood support, and other essential services.
“Canada is deeply concerned by the impact of this catastrophic typhoon,” said Minister Paradis. “We continue to monitor the situation closely and are working with Canadian and international humanitarian partners to determine what assistance is required.”
The situation related to Typhoon Haiyan is evolving rapidly. The strongest typhoon this year, it slammed into the Philippines on Friday, November 8, 2013, setting off landslides, knocking out power in several provinces, and cutting communications in the country's central region of island provinces. The typhoon is now on its way toward Vietnam, where it is expected to make landfall tomorrow, November 10. Significant loss of life, a large number of injuries, as well as destruction of property have been reported. Nearly 4.3 million people are reportedly affected, and although needs assessments are ongoing, humanitarian needs are expected to be substantial.
“In addition to the support announced today, Canada has provided support through the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies to provide immediate assistance to those affected by Typhoon Haiyan,” said Minister Paradis.
“The destruction is alarming, and Canada will continue to ensure needs are being met,” said Minister Baird. “Canada remains committed to supporting the most vulnerable people around the world. Our thoughts and prayers are with those affected by this devastating storm.”
The Government of Canada will continue to monitor the situation to ensure humanitarian needs are met and provide further assistance if required.
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
Media Relations Office
Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development Canada (DFATD)
Telephone: 819-995-1874
Email: media@international.gc.ca
Follow us on Twitter: @DFATDCanada
