Prime Minister announces humanitarian aid, 
sends Lieutenant General Baril to Kigali

Following recent developments in eastern Zaire and Rwanda, Prime Minister Jean Chrétien today announced $15 million in new emergency aid to refugees in the region and dispatched Lieutenant General Maurice Baril, the multinational humanitarian assistance force commander, to Kigali to discuss deployment matters and assess the changing situation on the ground.

The humanitarian aid, financed by the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA), includes support for Canadian doctors, nurses, water sanitation engineers and logistics experts organized by the Canadian Red Cross, CARE Canada, and Canadian Lutheran World Relief. Canadian aid, channelled through these and other agencies, as well as the United Nations, will also provide refugees with drinking water, sanitation and health services, while helping to prevent disease.

More than one million refugees, of whom 60 per cent are women and children, have been caught between warring parties along the border between Zaire, Rwanda and Burundi. Starting late last week, large numbers have been crossing the border from Zaire into Rwanda and urgently need food, medicine and shelter, as do many others who remain in Zaire.

PMO Press Office: (613) 957-5555
Christopher Neal, CIDA: (819) 953-6664


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