Canada announces comprehensive tsunami disaster relief, rehabilitation and reconstruction assistance

Prime Minister Paul Martin today announced a commitment of up to $425 million toward a comprehensive package of disaster relief measures and rehabilitation assistance following the Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunamis. 

Canada's commitment over the next five years comprises $265 million for humanitarian and rehabilitation assistance – including an estimated $150 million to match the generous contributions to eligible organizations by individual and groups of Canadians by January 11 – and $160 million for ongoing reconstruction assistance from 2005-09 to the affected region.

"Canada is among the most generous international donors to respond to this disaster with humanitarian and early recovery assistance," said Prime Minister Martin. "We know that the job ahead will take years of sustained effort, and we are committed to medium- and long-term recovery and reconstruction. By working closely with our many partners at home and around the world, Canada will ensure this contribution is effective and lasting."

Today's announcement follows on the Government of Canada's decision on January 2, 2005 to contribute $80 million in the aftermath of the disaster.  Canada will discuss its comprehensive approach at the United Nations Meeting on Humanitarian Assistance to Tsunami-Affected Communities in Geneva tomorrow as the international community continues to implement a coordinated, global response to the crisis. Canada will be represented by International Cooperation Minister Aileen Carroll. 

"Combined with individual Canadians, provinces, municipalities, and the private sector, Canadians can be proud of their contributions to the relief effort so far," added the Prime Minister.

The Government of Canada also reported today that the number of missing Canadians in tsunami-affected countries has dropped from 146 to 37. Government of Canada officials in Ottawa and in the region continue to work around the clock to assist Canadians in need, and are in constant contact with local governments and humanitarian agencies to find the best way to help the local populations.  Additional personnel have been dispatched, including forensics, health and trauma experts.

The Special Ministerial Tsunami Relief Task Force of Cabinet will continue to direct and assess Canada's ongoing relief and reconstruction efforts to ensure that these efforts are suitable and effective, as well as to determine whether further measures may be required.  New funding for the above initiatives is provided for in the fiscal framework, including already planned increases to international assistance funding.

For more information about Canada's tsunami disaster response, please see the following backgrounder.

BACKGROUND

CANADA’S RESPONSE TO THE TSUNAMI DISASTER IN THE INDIAN OCEAN

Canada was one of the first donor countries to respond to the disaster caused by the earthquake and tsunamis that swept through many countries in South and Southeast Asia and Africa on December 26, 2004, and is one of the most significant contributors of humanitarian assistance. The Government of Canada has committed up to $425 million over five years for the international relief effort, including:

$265 million for humanitarian and rehabilitation assistance, including an estimated $150 million to match the generous contributions of individual and groups of Canadians to eligible charitable organizations; and,

$160 million for ongoing rehabilitation assistance to the affected region from 2005-09.

1. HUMANITARIAN AND REHABILITATION ASSISTANCE ($265 million)

Humanitarian and Rehabiliation Assistance and Debt Moratorium ($73 million)

Canada is pledging up to $73 million in immediate humanitarian and recovery assistance and the offer of a debt moratorium to affected countries. A significant amount of this is in response to the UN flash appeal issued by the Secretary General on January 6—including dollar-for-dollar matching with UNICEF Canada. The Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) will allocate these funds through various channels, including: international organizations; Canadian non-governmental organizations; emergency flights of relief supplies; and local initiatives in affected countries.

CIDA is supporting a range of activities including providing potable water and sanitation services, emergency health care and medicines, shelter, food, protection for children, trauma counseling, and reuniting families. Some examples of immediate humanitarian and early recovery assistance are listed below. The remaining funds will be allocated as further needs are identified.

Contributions made to international organizations include:

the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies ($4.5 million): for the immediate needs of those affected—shelter, food and non-food relief items, health care, water and sanitation—and to strengthen the operational capacities of national societies.

UNICEF ($3.5 million): to provide health care, nutrition, water and sanitation, and protection and education for children throughout the affected region.

the World Food Programme ($2 million): to purchase and distribute food in Sri Lanka, Indonesia, and Thailand.

the United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR) ($1 million): to provide non-food relief items in Sri Lanka, including in the LTTE-controlled area. In Indonesia, UNHCR will provide emergency shelter and other non-food items for up to 50,000 displaced persons. In Malaysia, it will undertake tracing activities on behalf of the 9,000 Acehnese refugees under UNHCR protection.

Contributions made to Canadian non-governmental organizations include:

OXFAM Canada ($700,000): to improve potable water and sanitation systems, and enhance access to shelter and household items for up to 56,000 households in Indonesia and Sri Lanka. OXFAM Canada is also working to improve interagency coordination. 

World Vision Canada ($600,000): to provide emergency non-food items—mats, blankets, clothing, kitchen utensils, plastic water tanks, and roofing materials—in severely affected areas of Sri Lanka and India. It is anticipated that 15,000 households (75,000 people) will benefit.

CARE Canada ($500,000): to distribute safe water systems and other emergency relief items—including oral rehydration salts, plastic sheets, blankets, and water bladders—to up to 100,000 individuals in Indonesia and India.

Save the Children Canada ($400,000): to distribute food, shelter, household items, and water purification material to up to 40,000 families, and to reunify children and infants separated from their families in Sri Lanka and Indonesia.

As a further demonstration of Canada's commitment to respond effectively to this catastrophe, Canada has deployed emergency relief items (including generators, water purification sachets, and shelter items) on Canadian Forces and commercial planes. Canada has also announced that it will be making a significant portion of its national stockpile of emergency supplies available to the United Nations. Emergency flights include:

Sri Lanka (approximately $800,000): supplies included 35,000 water purification sachets (20L), 4,290 20L jerry cans, and 840 rolls of plastic sheeting (arrived in Colombo on December 31, 2004).

Indonesia (approximately $800,000): supplies included 35,000 water purification sachets (20L), 3 water pumps, 5,760 20L jerry cans, 12,702 12L buckets, 160 rolls of plastic sheeting, 200 axes, 252 shovels, and 2 temporary warehouses (arrived in Jakarta on January 2, 2005).

Maldives (approximately $800,000): supplies included 5,040 blankets, 1,390 batteries, 3,000 garbage bags, 1,600 flashlights, 2 water bladders (10,000L) and 1 temporary warehouse (arrived in Male on January 6, 2005).

Funds have been made available to Canadian Embassies and High Commissions in the affected countries to respond quickly to initiatives proposed by local organizations. These include:

Indonesian Red Cross Society (Palang Merah Indonesia, PMI) ($650,000): to procure and distribute relief supplies, including hygiene kits.

Indonesia Canada Fund for Local Initiatives ($500,000 new funds): for local organizations to procure and distribute relief supplies.

Sri Lanka Canada Fund for Local Initiatives ($316,000, including $250,000 in new funds): for local organizations to procure and distribute relief supplies.

India Canada Fund for Local Initiatives ($200,000 new funds): for local organizations to procure and distribute relief supplies.

Maldives Canada Fund for Local Initiatives ($50,000 new funds): for local organizations to procure and distribute relief supplies.

Finally, the Government of Canada is owed approximately $1 billion from tsunami-affected countries. On December 30, 2004, Canada announced a moratorium on debt payments from these countries to enable them to devote all available resources to respond to the disaster in the short, medium, and longer term. Under the moratorium, Canada has offered to defer debt payments, including both principal and interest payments.  Depending on participation, up to $110 million in debt payments will be deferred in each year of the moratorium, at a cost to the Government of Canada of up to $30 million, for an assumed three-year period.

Matching of Individual Contributions (as much as $150 million by January 11)

Due to the extraordinary generosity of individual and groups of individual Canadians and the magnitude of the disaster, the Government of Canada is matching dollar-for-dollar donations to eligible Canadian non-governmental organizations (NGOs) already involved in relief efforts on the ground. A group of individuals is defined as comprising individuals within schools, faith-based organizations, or businesses who have undertaken fund-raising activities specifically in response to December 26, 2004, tsunami disaster.

At the moment, sixteen organizations are eligible for matching funds. The eligibility of additional organizations will be assessed by CIDA on a case-by-case basis, and those that qualify will be added to the list. The organizations currently eligible are:

Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA Canada);

Canadian Food for the Hungry International;

Canadian Lutheran World Relief;

Canadian Red Cross;

CARE Canada;

Development and Peace;

Doctors Without Borders;

FOCUS Humanitarian Assistance Canada;

Mennonite Central Committee Canada;

Oxfam Canada;

Oxfam Quebec;

Salvation Army;

Save the Children Canada;

UNICEF Canada;

World Vision Canada; and,

World University Service of Canada (WUSC).

Donations to these listed organizations made by individual Canadians between December 26, 2004 and up to January 11, 2005, may be included to claim tax relief for the 2004 tax year.  The Government of Canada will not match corporate donations or donations from charitable foundations.

Organizations that have collected donations for the tsunami relief effort may choose to transfer these donations to one of the eligible organizations. Funds transferred to the eligible organizations will then be matched by the Government of Canada. For individuals to be eligible for the 2004 tax deduction extension, the organization making the transfer must provide the information required by the Canada Revenue Agency for receipt purposes. The eligible organization can then issue a tax receipt under the 2004 donation extension to the individuals who made contributions.

The Government of Canada estimates that it will match as much as $150 million in private contributions. Matching funds for donations made to UNICEF Canada will go towards the UNICEF Appeal within the United Nations Flash Appeal.

Incremental Operational Costs ($42 million)

Following the completion of an analysis of an Interdepartmental Reconnaissance Team, the decision was made to deploy the Department of National Defence Disaster Assistance Response Team (DART) to Ampara, Sri Lanka. The DART will provide primary medical care and safe drinking water, as well as specialized engineering capabilities and a command and control structure allowing for effective communications between the DART, the Government of Sri Lanka, and other organizations involved in the relief efforts. 

Canadian government personnel from the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) and Foreign Affairs Canada (as well as CIDA) have been sent to the region to assist with government efforts there. Consular officials abroad and in Ottawa have been working around the clock to address the needs of affected Canadians and their families.

A team of three forensic experts to Thailand, led by Dr. James Young, commissioner of emergency management for Ontario, was sent to the region to do an initial assessment, following which a team of 10 RCMP forensic investigators and two case management officers was deployed. Health and trauma experts have also been deployed.

Citizenship and Immigration Canada is assuming the cost of helping to reunite close family members of Canadian citizens and permanent residents affected by the disaster.  This includes screening current inventories of immigrant applications abroad and in Canada to expedite Family Class applicants affected by the disaster who have immediate family members in Canada. The Family Class includes parents and grandparents, but priority is being given to spouses, common-law partners, conjugal partners and dependent children. As well, new applications from affected areas will be expedited and fees will be waived. While cases will be expedited, all medical and security requirements will be respected.

Finally, incremental operational costs have arisen for the Canada Revenue Agency due to the decision to allow Canadians to claim deductions for eligible donations on their 2004 tax return.

2. ONGOING RECONSTRUCTION ASSISTANCE ($160 million)

Ongoing reconstruction assistance from CIDA will amount to $160 million between 2005 and 2009. Given the scale of existing needs in the aftermath of the disaster, the Government of Canada will carefully coordinate its response to longer-term rehabilitation and reconstruction in the most-affected countries of Sri Lanka and Indonesia. Support will be country specific and driven by the needs and priorities identified by the countries themselves.

Drawing on its extensive experience in social and economic development, Canada will support small entrepreneurs and work with local authorities in re-building small-scale infrastructure and rehabilitating and strengthening systems to provide basic social services. 

Initial priorities will be water systems, health, and child protection. Over the longer term, Canada's programming will focus on ensuring that the affected populations can rebuild their lives and meet their own needs. This will require support to help them establish livelihoods, given the disruption caused by the tsunami. It will also require the rebuilding or creation of local capacity to provide basic services—such as water and sanitation, and health. Some of these activities will be carried out in the directly affected areas.  Other activities will address broader provincial or national systems that can provide the affected areas with longer-term, cost-effective support.

Long-term development assistance programming will include Canadian provincial, municipal, voluntary sector, and private sector involvement, technical assistance, locally administered funds, collaboration with the World Bank/Asian Development Bank (including trust funds), joint donor initiatives in identified priority sectors and Canada Corps activities.

The Government of Canada is working with the provinces and territories, which have contributed approximately $20 million, on rehabilitation efforts. It will also be working with municipalities and the Canadian private sector.