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<p><span style="font-family: 'Arial', sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 14pt"><span style="font-weight: bold">December 1, 2006 <i>(7:20 p.m. EST)</i><br>
No. 148</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">CANADA RESPONDS TO TYPHOON DURIAN</span></span></span></p>
<br>
<p><span style="font-family: 'Arial', sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 12pt">The Honourable Peter MacKay, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Minister of the Atlantic
Canada Opportunities Agency, and the Honourable Josée Verner, Minister of
International Cooperation and Minister for La Francophonie and Official Languages,
today expressed Canada’s condolences to those families and communities in the
central and northern Philippines affected by Typhoon Durian. Minister Verner
announced that Canada is immediately allocating $1 million to support the efforts of
Philippine and international agencies seeking to provide emergency assistance to
people in the typhoon-affected areas, and to assist with early recovery and disaster
preparedness initiatives. </span></span></p>
<br>
<p><span style="font-family: 'Arial', sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 12pt">“Canada recognizes that this typhoon season has hit the Philippines particularly hard,”
said Minister MacKay. “The government of the Philippines has been responding well to
the series of storms in the region. But as a concerned friend, Canada wants to ensure
that they have all the support they need. That is why we are offering our help early on.”</span></span></p>
<br>
<p><span style="font-family: 'Arial', sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 12pt">“When Typhoon Xangsane hit the Philippines in November, the Government of Canada
offered immediate assistance”, said Minister Verner. “We know how crucial it is to
provide families with emergency shelter and housing, as well as to help the government
undertake effective disaster preparedness. Canada’s $1 million contribution today will
help mitigate the impact of Durian and help communities prepare better for future
emergencies.”</span></span></p>
<br>
<p><span style="font-family: 'Arial', sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 12pt">The Government of Canada is contributing $500,000 to the International Federation of
Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies to assist with emergency and temporary
shelter, non-food items, water and sanitation. A further $500,000 will be allocated to the
Canada Fund for Local Initiatives to support local organizations in facilitating the
recovery of affected households and addressing future disaster preparedness needs.
The Government of Canada provided $550,000 earlier in November to assist with relief
and recovery efforts after Typhoon Xangsane. </span></span></p>
<br>
<p><span style="font-family: 'Arial', sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 12pt">In February 2006, Canada contributed $300,000 to support relief and early recovery
efforts to the communities in the province of Southern Leyte affected by the mudslides.
This funding was used to assist children suffering from post-disaster trauma and
farming families rebuilding their livelihoods through sustainable agricultural practices in
disaster-prone areas. Canada also supported activities targeted at upgrading the skills
of local officials and communities at high risk to help them better prepare for, and cope
with, natural disasters.</span></span></p>
<br>
<p><span style="font-family: 'Arial', sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 12pt">Durian is the fourth typhoon to hit the Philippines in three months, and has left a trail of
destruction across the central and northern areas of the country, as flooding and storm
winds damaged homes, cut power lines and halted sea travel.</span></span></p>
<br>
<p><span style="font-family: 'Arial', sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 12pt">While there are no reports of any Canadian citizens affected at this time, Canadian
consular officials at our embassy in Manila are working with local authorities and will
provide assistance as required.</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>
<br>
<p><span style="font-family: 'Arial', sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 12pt">For further information, media representatives may contact:</span></span></p>
<br>
<p><span style="font-family: 'Arial', sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 12pt">Foreign Affairs Media Relations Office<br>
Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada<br>
613-995-1874<br>
</span></span><a href="https://bac-lac.wayback.archive-it.org/web/20070221012605/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>
<br>
<p><span style="font-family: 'Arial', sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 12pt"><span style="color: #000000">Media Relations Office<br>
Canadian International Development Agency<br>
819-953-6534<br>
</span></span></span><a href="https://bac-lac.wayback.archive-it.org/web/20070221012605/mailto:info@acdi-cida.gc.ca"><span style="font-family: 'Arial', sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 12pt"><span style="color: #0000ff"><span style="text-decoration: underline">info@acdi-cida.gc.ca</span></span></span></span></a><span style="font-family: 'Arial', sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 12pt"><span style="color: #000000"><br>
</span></span></span><a href="https://bac-lac.wayback.archive-it.org/web/20070221012605/http://www.cida.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.cida.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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