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<p><span style="font-family: 'Arial', sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 14pt"><span style="font-weight: bold">February 19 <i>(9:00 p.m. EST)</i><br>
No. 12</span></span></span></p>
<br>
<p style="text-align: center"><span style="font-family: 'Arial', sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 14pt"><span style="font-weight: bold">STATEMENT ON CANADA’S RESPONSE TO THE SITUATION IN THE
PHILIPPINES</span><span style="font-size: 12pt"></span></span></span></p>
<br>
<p><span style="font-family: 'Arial', sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 12pt">Foreign Affairs Minister Peter MacKay today issued the following statement on
Canada’s initial response to the landslides in the Philippines:</span></span></p>
<br>
<p><span style="font-family: 'Arial', sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 12pt">“As we continue to maintain close contact with the Government of the Philippines and
our regular UN, Red Cross/Crescent and non-governmental organization (NGO)
partners, Canada is allocating $300,000 in initial assistance to support recovery and
rehabilitation efforts in the affected area. We will revisit this contribution as needs in the
affected area continue to be assessed. We are dispatching an officer from the
Embassy in Manila to the area to evaluate the situation as circumstances on the ground
permit.</span></span></p>
<br>
<p><span style="font-family: 'Arial', sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 12pt">“I have formally conveyed Canada’s condolences to the Government of the Philippines.
I have also spoken with the Philippine Ambassador to Canada to reiterate Canada’s
offer of assistance through international agencies, such as the UN, and to outline
further Canadian measures to assist in recovery and rehabilitation efforts.</span></span></p>
<br>
<p><span style="font-family: 'Arial', sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 12pt">“Canada applauds the quick action of those on the ground—thus far, the system
appears to be working efficiently. The Government of the Philippines has been fully
mobilized, as have the long-standing international humanitarian partners that Canada
supports, including the UN, the Red Cross/Crescent and NGOs. We stand ready to
provide further assistance pending the outcome of the needs assessments currently
under way.”</span></span></p>
<br>
<p style="text-align: center"><span style="font-family: 'Arial', sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 12pt">- 30 -</span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: 'Arial', sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 12pt">For further information, media representatives may contact:</span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: 'Arial', sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 12pt"><span> </span></span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: 'Arial', sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 12pt">Media Relations Office<br>
Foreign Affairs Canada<br>
(613) 995-1874<br>
</span></span><a href="https://bac-lac.wayback.archive-it.org/web/20070222100159/http://www.international.gc.ca/"><span style="font-family: 'Arial', sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 12pt"><span style="color: #0000ff"><span style="text-decoration: underline">http://www.international.gc.ca</span></span></span></span></a><span style="font-family: 'Arial', sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 12pt"><span style="color: #000000"></span></span></span></p>
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