February 7, 2005 (3:00 p.m. EST)
No. 26

UPDATE ON CANADA’S RESPONSE TO THE TSUNAMI

Foreign Affairs Minister Pierre Pettigrew, National Defence Minister Bill Graham and International Cooperation Minister Aileen Carroll today provided an update on the Government of Canada’s contribution to the rehabilitation and reconstruction efforts for countries affected by the December 26 tsunami.

Minister Graham also announced the upcoming return of the Canadian Forces Disaster Assistance Response Team (DART) after a successful relief mission. The first group of personnel will depart Colombo, Sri Lanka, by commercial charter aircraft on February 14, 2005, and the remaining personnel will leave on February 24, 2005, by Canadian Forces CC-150 Polaris aircraft.

“Canada has played a leading role since the outset of the crisis, committing $425 million over five years to meet relief, rehabilitation and reconstruction needs,” said Minister Pettigrew. “We have worked actively with the governments of the affected countries, as well as our international partners and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) to ensure that Canada’s responses are rapid and targeted.”

“DART members did outstanding work to help the region recover from this terrible tragedy,” said Minister Graham. “Our professional and caring soldiers have made a difference in the lives of thousands of Sri Lankans. Canadians can be proud of their accomplishments.”

The DART medical teams have seen approximately 5,500 patients, while engineers have produced over two and a half million litres of drinking water and transported more than 55,000 people across a local waterway. In addition, in collaboration with international organizations and NGOs, the DART has conducted several community-based projects, such as repairing schools, clearing rubble and helping with the construction of temporary shelters. The DART deployment complements the efforts of local authorities and more than 100 NGOs registered in the Ampara region. As per the DART’s mandate, tasks are being handed over to agencies that will continue the services provided.

As part of Canada’s contribution to the disaster, a promise was made that, subject to guidelines, the Government would match public donations made to qualified aid groups. The public responded with almost $200 million in contributions. In the coming weeks, the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) will begin to receive proposals for the use of this money.

“As we move from humanitarian aid into reconstruction, let me applaud the countless aid workers and other Canadians who have worked on this crisis,” said Minister Carroll. “Canada’s response to one of the gravest humanitarian disasters in recent history was both effective and generous.”

The Government of Canada also announced that Canada has assumed the chair of the Bilateral Donors’ Group, which was established to coordinate the delivery of international assistance in Sri Lanka. The Group is expected to play an important role in discussions already under way between the Government and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam to devise a joint mechanism for managing the disbursement of reconstruction funds. This should serve to build confidence between the parties.

Canada has set up a temporary office in Banda Aceh, Sumatra, Indonesia—one of the first countries to establish such a presence. This office will facilitate liaison and coordination of Canadian efforts with local authorities, other donors, and international and non-governmental agencies. The office builds on an earlier forward office in Medan, Sumatra, Indonesia, which was established in the days following the tsunami.

In Thailand, through the provision of forensic and public-health specialists, Canada has actively assisted Thai government authorities in responding to the needs of those affected by the disaster, including Canadians and people of other nationalities. The Government of Canada has also provided technical experts to conduct and assess coastal zone rehabilitation.

The Government of Canada also reported that the number of Canadians dead or presumed dead is seven, while the number of missing stands at 14. Work continues in Ottawa and in the region to locate every missing individual. Through these efforts, Foreign Affairs Canada has been able to reassure the families of close to 4,000 Canadians believed to be in the affected areas.

For up-to-date information on all aspects of the government’s response to the tsunami crisis, visit http://www.canada.gc.ca/tsunami.

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For further information, media representatives may contact:

Sébastien Théberge
Director of Communications
Office of the Minister of Foreign Affairs
(613) 995-1851

Media Relations Office
Foreign Affairs Canada
(613) 995-1874
http://www.international.gc.ca

Isabelle Savard
Director of Communications
Office of the Minister of National Defence
(613) 996-3100

Media Liaison Office
Department of National Defence (DND)
(613) 996-2353/2354

Andrew Graham
Director of Communications
Office of the Minister of International Cooperation
(819) 953-6238

Media Relations Office
Canadian International Development Agency
(819) 953-6534
info@acdi-cida.gc.ca

A broadcast-quality B-roll is available upon request. Still images of Operation STRUCTURE are available from the DND Media Liaison Office at (613) 996-2353/2354 and from http://www.forces.gc.ca/site/Operations/Structure/photos_e.asp.