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<p><span style="font-family: 'Arial', sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 14pt"><span style="font-weight: bold">September 13, 2004 <i>(3:10 p.m. EDT)</i> No. 104</span></span></span></p>
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<p style="text-align: center"><span style="font-family: 'Arial', sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 14pt"><span style="font-weight: bold">CANADA EXPRESSES SUPPORT FOR VICTIMS OF HURRICANE IVAN</span></span></span></p>
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<p><span style="font-family: 'Arial', sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 12pt">Foreign Affairs Minister Pierre Pettigrew and Minister of International Cooperation
Aileen Carroll today emphasized Canada’s concern for those affected by Hurricane Ivan
and outlined Canada’s initial humanitarian response.</span></span></p>
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<p><span style="font-family: 'Arial', sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 12pt">“I wish to extend my deepest sympathies to the victims of Hurricane Ivan’s devastation
of the Caribbean,” stated Minister Pettigrew. “As for Canadians in the region, our
missions are working closely with U.S., British and local authorities to coordinate
consular assistance.”</span></span></p>
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<p><span style="font-family: 'Arial', sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 12pt">“We have already directed assistance to help meet the immediate needs of people in
the area, and will continue to extend our support as the full impact of the hurricane
becomes clearer,” said Minister Carroll.</span></span></p>
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<p><span style="font-family: 'Arial', sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 12pt">Through the Canadian International Development Agency, Canada quickly approved a
contribution of $500,000 in relief aid to the International Federation of Red Cross and
Red Crescent Societies for assistance to the areas affected by the hurricane. This is in
addition to the initial contribution of $50,000 Canada provided within the first 24 hours
to support the mobilization of assessment teams. Emergency stocks including
generators, accessories for water supplies, plastic sheeting, prefabricated warehousing
structures and shovels are also being sent by Canada to help in Grenada.</span></span></p>
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<p><span style="font-family: 'Arial', sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 12pt">Canadian experts have been deployed to Grenada to participate in the international
team of experts coordinated by the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Response Agency
to assess damage cause by Hurricane Ivan. Further Canadian aid is being considered
based on identified needs.</span></span></p>
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<p><span style="font-family: 'Arial', sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 12pt">On September 10, two chartered flights were organized by Foreign Affairs Canada to
assist Canadians wishing to depart the Cayman Islands, following the mandatory
evacuation order for foreigners issued by the government. Another two chartered flights
were organized over the weekend to evacuate Canadians from Grenada. Arrangements
are being made for evacuees to contact their families and assist with accommodations.
Canada’s High Commission in Bridgetown, Barbados, is currently working with
Air Canada to find return seats to Canada for evacuees.</span></span></p>
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<p><span style="font-family: 'Arial', sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 12pt">Hurricane Ivan is the most powerful storm to hit the Caribbean in the last decade. The
storm devastated Grenada and damaged homes in Barbados, Saint Lucia, Trinidad and
Tobago and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, before it continued its rampage on
Jamaica and the Cayman Islands. Canada continues to monitor Ivan’s path as it makes
its way toward Cuba and the United States.</span></span></p>
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<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>
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<p><span style="font-family: 'Arial', sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 12pt">Sébastien Théberge<br>
Director of Communications<br>
Office of the Minister of Foreign Affairs<br>
(613) 995-1851</span></span></p>
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<p><span style="font-family: 'Arial', sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 12pt">Media Relations Office<br>
Foreign Affairs Canada and International Trade Canada<br>
(613) 995-1874<br>
</span></span><a href="https://bac-lac.wayback.archive-it.org/web/20071123082858/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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<p><span style="font-family: 'Arial', sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 12pt"><span style="color: #000000">Andrew Graham<br>
Director of Communications<br>
Office of the Minister of International Cooperation<br>
(819) 953-6238</span></span></span></p>
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<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/20071123082858/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"></span></span></span></p>
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