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<p><span style="font-size: 14pt"><span style="font-weight: bold">October 11, 2005 <i>(9:00 a.m. EDT)</i><br>
No. 184</span></span></p>
<br>
<p style="text-align: center"><span style="font-weight: bold"><span style="font-size: 14pt">CANADA INCREASES EMERGENCY RELIEF FOR VICTIMS OF
FLOODING AND LANDSLIDES IN CENTRAL AMERICA</span></span><span style="font-size: 14pt"></span></p>
<br>
<p>Foreign Affairs Minister Pierre Pettigrew and International Cooperation Minister
Aileen Carroll today announced an additional $750,000 to assist victims of floods and
landslides in the aftermath of Tropical Storm Stan. The funds will aid relief efforts of the
United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), the Pan American Health Organization and
World Vision Canada. This additional funding, combined with the $250,000 in
emergency aid announced on October 8, brings Canada’s total contribution to
$1 million.</p>
<br>
<p>“We continue to receive reports on the terrible impact and ongoing aftermath of Tropical
Storm Stan in Mexico and Central America,” said Minister Pettigrew. “The funds we are
identifying today will help international aid agencies working in support of local officials
in the region to provide relief to the many individuals, families and communities who are
suffering.”</p>
<br>
<p>“Canada responded immediately to help the victims of this storm,” said Minister Carroll.
“As the needs have grown, so has our support. We stand with the affected populations
in their time of need.”</p>
<br>
<p>Canadian officials in areas affected by the storm are providing emergency consular
assistance where flooding and landslides have occurred. The weather is expected to
deteriorate with more heavy rains forecast in some areas over the next few days.
Canada’s embassies have been working to maintain contact with Canadians in the
region, and to date have not received reports of any Canadians who have been killed or
injured.</p>
<br>
<p>Canadians wishing to help with relief efforts are encouraged to make a financial
donation to organizations with a proven track record of working in the region. This
enables those organizations to purchase goods closer to the crisis, which is faster and
more cost-effective. For more information on how Canadians can help, consult
<a href="https://bac-lac.wayback.archive-it.org/web/20070221020613/http://www.fac-aec.gc.ca/disaster_help2-en.asp"><span style="color: #0000ff"><span style="text-decoration: underline">http://www.fac-aec.gc.ca/disaster_help2-en.asp</span></span></a><span style="color: #000000">.</span></p>
<br>
<p><span style="color: #000000">Funding for this initiative was provided for in the February 2005 federal budget and is
therefore built into the existing fiscal framework.</span></p>
<br>
<p style="text-align: center"><span style="color: #000000">- 30 -</span></p>
<p><span style="color: #000000">For further information, media representatives may contact:</span></p>
<br>
<p><span style="color: #000000">Sébastien Théberge<br>
Director of Communications<br>
Office of the Minister of Foreign Affairs<br>
(613) 995-1851</span></p>
<br>
<p><span style="color: #000000">Media Relations Office<br>
Foreign Affairs Canada<br>
(613) 995-1874<br>
</span><a href="https://bac-lac.wayback.archive-it.org/web/20070221020613/http://www.international.gc.ca/"><span style="color: #0000ff"><span style="text-decoration: underline">http://www.international.gc.ca</span></span></a><span style="color: #000000"></span></p>
<br>
<p><span style="color: #000000">Andrew Graham<br>
Director of Communications<br>
Office of the Minister of International Cooperation<br>
(819) 953-6238 </span></p>
<br>
<p><span style="color: #000000">Media Relations Office<br>
Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA)<br>
(819) 953-6534<br>
</span><a href="https://bac-lac.wayback.archive-it.org/web/20070221020613/mailto:info@acdi-cida.gc.ca"><span style="color: #0000ff"><span style="text-decoration: underline">info@acdi-cida.gc.ca</span></span></a><span style="color: #000000"><br>
</span><a href="https://bac-lac.wayback.archive-it.org/web/20070221020613/http://www.cida.gc.ca/"><span style="color: #0000ff"><span style="text-decoration: underline">http://www.cida.gc.ca</span></span></a><span style="color: #000000"></span></p>
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