Canada’s aid to typhoon victims: $20M

Canada’s aid to typhoon victims: $20M

Prime Minister Stephen Harper, joined by Father Ben Ebcas Jr., announces further Canadian support for the Philippines during a roundtable discussion with members of Toronto’s Filipino-Canadian community (PMO Photo by Jill Thompson)

Including $15M in matching funds

By Dyan Ruiz

The Canadian government is responding to the victims of the devastating typhoon that struck the central Philippines with aid that includes over $20 million towards emergency relief, armed forces disaster relief staff, and expedited immigration applications for those affected.

The government has been announcing a series of measures since the Super Typhoon Haiyan/Yolanda tore through the central islands of the Philippines on Nov. 8, leaving behind unprecedented destruction and thousands dead and injured in the strongest typhoon to ever make landfall.
To date, the monetary donations by the federal government is at least $20 million, plus the $30,000 given to the International Federation of the Red Cross the day the typhoon struck to launch relief efforts.

With all the announcements, nearly daily since the typhoon hit, there has understandably been some confusion about how much the government has committed thus far.

On Nov. 18, Prime Minister Stephen Harper announced a monetary commitment of $15 million at Our Lady of Assumption Parish on Bathurst St. near Eglinton Ave. where Father Ben Ebcas Jr., who has relatives in one of the hardest-hit areas, has been leading support, prayers and fundraising for victims of the typhoon.

“Our Government has taken decisive action to address the ravages of the typhoon by working closely with the Filipino-Canadian community, relief agencies and the Government of the Philippines to provide ongoing support to those who need it most,” said Harper at the parish press conference. According to the press release, the funds “will be disbursed to a range of humanitarian relief efforts.”

Prime Minister Stephen Harper,
joined by Father Ben Ebcas Jr.,
announces further Canadian support for the Philippines during a roundtable discussion with members of Toronto’s Filipino-Canadian community. ((PMO Photo by Jill Thompson)

Many thought the announcement by Harper would be added to the $5 million in funding announced on Nov. 9 by Minister of International Development Christian Paradis and the matching fund for donations made by individuals and businesses that came into effect on Nov. 11 until Dec. 9. But the $15 million was actually announcing that the government was committed to give at least that amount through the matching funds initiative. That is, this was not a new initiative.

When questioned by The Philippine Reporter as to why the announcement was made in this way, Paradis replied, “Just this Monday the Prime Minister announced a commitment of $15M, as part of [the Relief Fund]. This means that our Government will provide a minimum of $15M through the matching fund, regardless of the donation level. This certainty allows our partners to immediately begin spending that money to help those in need right now.”

In a statement on Nov. 19, Paradis said that the $15 million would be given to the United Nations, the Red Cross, Médecins Sans Frontières, World Vision and other NGOs. The way the matching funds works is that every eligible dollar donated by an individual will be matched by the federal government, and given to an organization with experience in relief work. Canadian individuals have so far donated almost $19.6 million as of Nov. 19. The total will continue to rise until the matching funds initiative ends on Dec. 9.

Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) announced measures that will prioritize the processing of applications by Filipinos who were impacted by the typhoon. On Nov. 14 Citizenship and Immigration Minister Chris Alexander said, “We are immediately giving priority to all of those applications from Filipino citizens who were seeking to come to Canada either as visitors, temporary foreign workers, or as immigrants who come from the affected region.” The prioritization includes Filipinos who are in Canada that have study or work permits that are expiring soon.

Captain Ian Schoonbaert, a Doctor from the Disaster Assistance Response Team (DART) checks a local Filipina child in a refugee camp outside of Roxas city on November 16, 2013 after the area was devastated by Typhoon Haiyan, one of the largest typhoons on record.
(Corporal Darcy Lefebvre, Canadian Forces Combat Camera Photographer)

In a response to a question by The Philippine Reporter, Alexander said people impacted by the typhoon could apply for new applications, but “the applications have to be made under our existing programs and our current criteria,” he said. In an email, the CIC confirmed that this means that parents and grandparents of a Canadian relative are not currently eligible for prioritization because this sponsorship program is not re-opening until January 2014. Relatives can apply for a Super Visa for visitation instead.

The email by a CIC media spokesperson did not say how many people qualified, only that they are “contacting applicants with addresses in affected areas as well as others who have self-identified as being affected.” To access the prioritization, you can contact the CIC through situation-philippines@cic.gc.ca or call the dedicated hotline at 1-888-242-2100.

Through a similar prioritization initiative in 2009, the CIC said in a press release that 420 people were qualified because Typhoon Ketsana, known as Typhoon Ondoy in the Philippines, impacted them.

The Canadian government has provided on-the-ground assistance for victims of Typhoon Haiyan, deploying the Canadian Armed Forces’ Disaster Assistance Response Team (DART) to Iloilo and Capiz. DART is providing clean water, medical assistance and logistical support based on initial assessments by the Interdepartmental Strategic Support Team. DART has over 300 personnel in the Philippines.

In addition to the monetary donations, the government announced on Nov. 20 that they are providing up to $5 million worth in stockpiles of emergency relief goods to the Philippines.

The Ontario government announced on Nov. 11 they would contribute $1 million to the Red Cross. When announcing the contribution, Premier Kathleen Wynne said, “Here at home, so many people – particularly those with friends and family in the Philippines – have come together to see what they can do to help. I want to thank the many community and church groups for their efforts.”

The Australian government has committed Aus$30 million (over CAD$29 million) for typhoon relief, as well as aircraft and medical personnel. The US government’s contributions include US$37 million, aircraft, goods and approximately 1,000 US troops for relief efforts.