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Update on Government of Canada response to South Asia earthquake
October 11, 2005
NEWS RELEASE
The Government of Canada today announced further details regarding Canada’s support to the earthquake-devastated area of South Asia, including the allocation of $1 million to the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies to help address the immediate need for shelter, food, clothing and medicine.
“Canada reacted immediately in the aftermath of the earthquake,” said Foreign Affairs Minister Pierre Pettigrew. “Our response has been to move swiftly and deliberately as the governments in affected countries and international agencies have identified clear needs. Following consultation last evening with the Government of Pakistan, an assessment team composed of experts from Foreign Affairs Canada, the Canadian International Development Agency and the Department of National Defence is being sent to the region and will arrive in the next 24 hours. I have asked the team to work with relevant authorities and international agencies to identify intermediate actions that Canada can take in support of relief and recovery efforts on the ground.”
The Government of Canada is contributing $5 million for the deployment of two helicopters through the United Nations in support of all humanitarian aid agencies working in the affected area of Pakistan. These helicopters will be made available for three months in order to carry out assessments as well as to bring relief workers and supplies to affected communities. An additional $700,000 will be provided to the World Food Programme Joint Logistics Centre to provide fuel and staff support to the overall logistics coordination efforts. The funding is part of the $20 million announced yesterday.
“The Government of Canada is establishing a fund to match all public donations earmarked for earthquake relief to registered Canadian charities over the next two weeks,” said International Cooperation Minister Aileen Carroll. “We will use this fund to support qualifying projects from Canadian NGOs.”
“The two shipments of winterized blankets that are being transported by the Canadian Forces are expected to arrive Wednesday October 12 and Thursday October 13, 2005, in Islamabad, Pakistan,” said National Defence Minister Bill Graham. “The Canadian Forces will continue to assess whether and in what respect the resources of DART or any other assets may be required to help bring relief to the people of Pakistan,” Minister Graham added. “The team will assess the situation on the ground so we can develop a sound strategy to best assist the work under way by local authorities and civilian humanitarian agencies.”
“The Government of Canada is committed to helping reunite close family members of Canadian citizens and permanent residents who are seriously and personally affected by the earthquake,” said Citizenship and Immigration Minister Joe Volpe. “Immigration officials acted quickly after the tsunami and are taking a similar approach to this crisis.”
Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) is expediting existing Family Class immigration applications under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act for individuals significantly affected by the disaster with immediate family members in Canada. Priority is being given to spouses, common-law partners, conjugal partners and dependent children. New applications under the Family Class will be dealt with as expeditiously as possible. The department will also be considering, on a case-by-case basis, other close family members of Canadian citizens and permanent residents who are seriously and personally affected by the disaster. All medical and security requirements will be respected. CIC will also be waiving new application processing fees and the Right of Permanent Resident fee for persons who have been and continue to be seriously and personally affected by the disaster.
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