Canada Continues to Help Victims of Philippines Tropical Storm

OTTAWA, ONTARIO -- (Marketwire) -- 02/08/12 -- Today, the Honourable Beverley J. Oda, Minister of International Cooperation, announced that Canada is providing additional support to flood-affected victims in the Philippines.

"Canada is continuing to help the people of the Philippines, who are still in need of emergency humanitarian assistance due to the affects of Tropical Storm Washi and resulting flash floods," said Minister Oda. "The situation remains critical and Canada is committed to helping our friends in the Philippines."

On January 4, Minister Oda announced (http://www.acdi-cida.gc.ca/acdi-cida/ACDI-CIDA.nsf/eng/CAR-13165624-TQT) Canadas support to emergency relief efforts, which saw approximately 1.15 million people affected by the tropical storm, more than 50,000 homes damaged, and thousands of livelihoods impacted. The humanitarian response to date is providing much needed life-saving assistance. However, according to authorities, humanitarian assistance is still needed, as more than 400,000 people remain displaced, with approximately 23,000 still living in evacuation centres.

Canada, through the Canadian International Development Agency, is building on its original support to the International Organization for Migration (IOM) by providing further funding to allow this organization to assist people living in emergency and makeshift shelters, as well as those trying to return to their homes. Todays announcement fulfills Canadas commitment of 1.25 million for humanitarian relief efforts in the Philippines.

For information on CIDAs program in the Philippines, please visit http://www.acdi-cida.gc.ca/philippines-e.

Canada will continue to monitor the situation closely and will respond to further humanitarian needs as appropriate.

Backgrounder

Todays announcement provides additional support to ongoing relief efforts for those affected by Tropical Storm Washi in the Philippines.

Canadas response to date, through CIDA, supports the following projects:

International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC):

The 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. (200,000)

World Food Programme (WFP):

The 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. (422,500)

International Organization for Migration (IOM):

The 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. (377,500)

Oxfam Canada:

Oxfam 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. (250,000)

On January 4, Minister Oda announced (http://www.acdi-cida.gc.ca/acdi-cida/ACDI-CIDA.nsf/eng/CAR-13165624-TQT) up to 1.25 million to support emergency relief efforts to respond to Tropical Storm Washi. Todays announcement fulfils that commitment.