Ottawa — The Honourable Josée Verner, Minister of International Cooperation, today announced the signing of a partnership agreement between Canada and Brazil to support the immunization of children in Haiti. The signing took place at the donor conference for Haiti today in Brasilia, Brazil. The conference brings together Haitian officials and representatives from the international community.

"I am pleased with this new partnership, which will enable Canada and Brazil to pool their resources and expertise in order to improve child health conditions in Haiti," Minister Verner said. "This initiative is an innovative way to deal with the fundamental health needs of the Haitian people and obtain long-lasting results."

Canada and Brazil will equally split the cost of the $2.5 million agreement. The Canadian International Development Agency will be responsible for managing the agreement in Canada, and the Brazilian Cooperation Agency will do likewise in Brazil. The project will span a period of 18 to 24 months. Both countries will combine their efforts in providing immunization training for Haitian technicians as well as in providing necessary vaccines and equipment.

Funding for this initiative was provided for in the May 2006 federal budget and is therefore built into the existing fiscal framework.