Ottawa: The Honourable Beverley J. Oda, Minister of International Cooperation, announced today that Canada would provide an additional $80 million in humanitarian assistance for Haiti. Today's announcement brings Canada's total response to a potential $135 million and involves contributions to the United Nations (UN) and the International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) Appeals, together with contributions to Canadian non-governmental organizations providing services to earthquake-affected Haitians. Priorities for the Canadian funding include the provision of emergency food, water and sanitation, medical treatment, shelter, and protection for the vulnerable.

"Millions of people are struggling to overcome the impacts of the devastating earthquake in Haiti. Through its contributions to vital United Nations partners such as the World Food Programme and UNICEF, the IFRC, and NGO partners, our government will help support Haitians as they rebuild their lives and communities," said Minister Oda. "We are committed to playing a significant role in responding to the impact of this disaster, not only in these early days of rescue and relief operations, but also in addressing longer-term recovery and reconstruction needs."

Canada's $60 million response to the United Nations appeal will fund essential necessities and basic services provided on the ground by UN agencies. This includes $39 million to the World Food Programme and $15 million to UNICEF for interventions in the areas of health, nutrition, protection, and water and sanitation services. The remainder of Canada's contribution to the Appeal will be targeted at essential services provided by the World Health Organization/Pan American Health Organization, the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, the International Organization for Migration, the United Nations Population Fund, and the United Nations Department of Safety and Security.

The Government is making a major contribution of $8.5 million in response to the IFRC's appeal for the provision of humanitarian assistance. The IFRC is helping to meet the emergency needs of an estimated 300,000 people affected by the Haiti earthquake.

Canada is also providing an additional $11.5 million in support of further critical disaster relief efforts by Canadian non-governmental organizations. This support will enable organizations such as CARE, Médecins du Monde, Save the Children, Oxfam Quebec, the Canadian Red Cross Society, the Centre for International Studies and Cooperation (CECI), and World Vision to assist more than half a million people affected by the earthquake.

Today's announcement comes in addition to the initial $5 million for immediate humanitarian assistance announced on January 13 and to the Haiti Earthquake Relief Fund that will allow to match, dollar-for-dollar, the generosity of Canadian for a total of up to $50 million.

http://www.acdi-cida.gc.ca/acdi-cida/ACDI-CIDA.nsf/eng/NAT-11992614-JXG