December 29, 2004

Prime Minister Paul Martin today issued the following statement detailing federal government initiatives in response to the devastating earthquakes and tidal waves which have struck South and South-east Asia.



“The shocking human toll of the terrible disaster in South and South-east Asia has moved Canadians across the country to do what they can to try and help. Thousands of Canadians have been touched personally by this tragedy. The scope of the devastation will demand that we continue to work together to respond to the immediate and long term rescue, humanitarian and reconstruction needs.”



“I have expressed my condolences to the leaders of the nations most severely affected, and directed Minister of Defence Bill Graham and Minister of Health Ujjal Dosanjh to coordinate the federal government’s response, Ministers Pettigrew and Carroll are returning to Canada immediately. Foreign Affairs Canada, Canadian International Development Agency, Citizenship and Immigration as well as Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness Canada are among the federal organizations providing support. In addition, the following additional measures will be taken by the federal government:

• In total, $40 million has been set aside for immediate emergency relief efforts: $4 million already announced, $20 million to be detailed later this week by Ministers Pettigrew and Carroll, with the balance of the available investment and possible additional funding to follow the relief assessment on the ground;
  
  
  
  
• A second National Defence plane of emergency supplies will be deployed to the region, carrying water purification supplies to Indonesia;
  
  
  
• A multi-disciplinary team is being sent to the region to assess the situation on the ground and make recommendations on additional Canadian assistance, including the possible deployment of the DART;
  
  
  
  
• Additional consular staff and resources have been assigned to the region to assist Canadians who may be affected;
  
  
  
  
• In response to needs identified by international humanitarian agencies, the Government will explore the possibility of public-private partnerships;