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Prime Minister announces humanitarian aid,
sends Lieutenant General Baril to Kigali
November 17, 1996
Ottawa, Ontario
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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