Canada supports flood victims in PH

Canada supports flood victims in PH

OTTAWA–Today, the Honourable Beverley J. Oda, Minister of International Cooperation, announced that Canada is providing immediate humanitarian assistance, such as food, clean water, shelter and non-food relief items, to the hundreds of thousands of people affected by Tropical Storm Washi in the Philippines.

“Canada extends its condolences to those who have lost friends and family with the onset of the storm and sudden floods in the Philippines,” said Minister Oda. “We commend the local communities, non-governmental organizations, and the Government of the Philippines for their rapid response. Today, Canada is responding to calls for needed supplies and further assistance to help those affected restore their strength and livelihoods.”

Recent reports indicate the storm displaced more than 500,000 people in 13 provinces of the country. The Government of the Philippines undertook a major emergency rescue, evacuation and relief response operation in southern Philippines.
Canada’s response, through the Canadian International Development Agency, will support the efforts of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), the UN World Food Programme (WFP), the International Organization for Migration (IOM), and Oxfam Canada in the affected area.

The IFRC will provide safe water, food and non-food relief items to 5,000 families currently in emergency evacuation centres.
WFP will provide immediate lifesaving food assistance to approximately 220,000 people and targeted distribution of high-energy food to 15,000 children under five. IOM will provide emergency shelter repair kits, which include items such as tarps, lumber and ropes, for as many as 23,550 families and non-food relief items, including essential household items, for 47,000 affected families. Oxfam Canada will improve access to safe water for approximately 8,000 families, as well as set up latrines and shower blocks in evacuation centres and in communities hosting evacuees.

Canada will provide up to $1.25 million to carry out this work. Canada will also continue to monitor the situation closely and will respond to further humanitarian needs as appropriate.

(PRESS RELEASE)