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Canada continues to help victims of natural disasters
The Government of Canada has made a contribution of CDN$ $20,000 (approx. PhP 900 thousand pesos) to the International Federation of the Red Cross (IFRC) for the victims of the magnitude 6.9 earthquake that shook the Visayas last month, an embassy statement said.
The IFRC launched a disaster relief operation fund to support the Philippine National Red Cross in assisting 22,500 individuals affected by the earthquake. The contribution will focus on delivering emergency food assistance, essential relief items, water and sanitation activities and health and hygiene promotion. Canada’s assistance was channelled through the Emergency Disaster Assistance Fund (EDAF), a project between the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) and the Canadian Red Cross.
This contribution follows Canada’s earlier commitment of CDN$ 1.25 million (or approx. PhP 54 million) to support flood-affected victims in Mindanao following tropical storm Sendong. Through CIDA, Canada has provided funding to international relief organizations to assist people living in emergency and makeshift shelters, as well as those trying to return to their homes.
“We remain ready to assist the Philippines in times of difficulty,” said Canada’s Ambassador Christopher Thornley. “Disasters of this nature are sometimes unpredictable, but Canada’s support and friendship remain constant.”
Canada’s assistance to victims of Sendong supports the following projects:
The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) is supporting the Philippines Red Cross in providing ready-to-eat meals to 5,750 persons, food items to 89,805 persons (17,961 families) and non-food emergency relief items to 53,050 others (31,323 families), as well distributing hygiene kits to approximately 4,500 families. (approx. PhP 8.6 million)
The World Food Programme (WFP) will provide emergency food assistance to 230,000 people, including the distribution of high-energy food to 15,000 children under five affected by the floods. (approx. PhP 18.1 million)
The International Organization for Migration (IOM) will support 23,500 families with emergency shelter repair kits; provide non-food items to 47,100 affected families; repair and upgrade 15 emergency evacuation centres; coordinate camp management services for the affected population in 49 camps and evacuation centres; and set-up and manage transitory sites to provide better temporary shelter solutions to the displaced families awaiting relocation. (approx. PhP 16.3 million)
Oxfam Canada will provide drinking water to 8,000 families in evacuation centres, build 60 latrine blocks and 30 shower blocks in evacuation centres, set-up 30 WASH management committees in evacuation centres, and conduct WASH awareness activities for 8,000 families. (approx. PhP 10.8 million).
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