The Government of Canada is giving more than PhP 53 million (CaD$ 1.25 million) to support relief efforts for flood victims of Tropical Storm "Sendong" (Washi). In addition, the Canadian province of Manitoba is providing PhP 4.3 million (CaD$ 100,000) in assistance.
Hon. Beverley Oda, Minister of International Cooperation, announced that Canada is providing humanitarian assistance to hundreds of thousands affected by the disaster.
"Today, Canada is responding to calls for needed supplies and further assistance to help those affected restore their strength and livelihoods," Minister Oda said. "We commend the local communities, non-governmental organizations, and the Government of the Philippines for their rapid response."
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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 areas.
The IFRC will provide potable water, food and non-food relief items to 5,000 families currently in emergency evacuation centers. 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 give 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.
This follows an earlier announcement by the Province of Manitoba that it is contributing CAD$ 100,000 (approx. PhP 4.3 million) as assistance to the flood victims. "All Manitobans stand in solidarity with our province's large and close-knit Filipino community as we offer support to friends and family in the Philippines recovering from this devastating natural disaster," Manitoba Premier Greg Selinger said.
Foreign Minister John Baird, earlier joined Minister Oda in expressing Canada's condolences to the people of the Philippines. "On behalf of all Canadians, I extend my deepest sympathies to the friends and families who have lost loved ones or are otherwise affected by tropical storm Washi."
Canada is home to more than 500,000 Filipinos and Canadians of Philippine descent.
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