Canada offers aid to Sendong flood victims

The Government of Canada is giving more than $ 1.25 million to support relief efforts for flood victims of Tropical Storm “Sendong”. In addition, the Canadian province of Manitoba has provided $100,000 in assistance.

Beverley Oda, Minister of International Cooperation, announced that Canada is providing humanitarian assistance to hundreds of thousands affected by the disaster. 

Washi brought massive rains, causing flooding in many areas in Central and Southern Philippines starting last Dec. 16. The death toll from Washi stands at 1,258 with many still believed missing.

“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.”

Meanwhile, more than a hundred psycho-social counselling volunteers started giving a series of stress debriefing sessions for disaster survivors at the Agusan Evacuation Center in Cagayan de Oro, one of the worst-hit areas by typhoon Washi in southern Philippines.

Counselling volunteers include psychiatric and social welfare professionals, workers, nuns, clergies, professors and students from universities in Davao, Iligan and Cagayan de Oro cities and members of Balsa Mindanao, launched a campaign aimed at helping the victims.

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 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.

 “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.

Canada is home to more than 500,000 Filipinos and Canadians of Philippine descent.