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Minister Bibeau announces additional Canadian support for Haiti in response to Hurricane Matthew

November 18, 2016 - Port-au-Prince, Haiti - Global Affairs Canada

The Honourable Marie-Claude Bibeau, Minister of International Development and La Francophonie, today announced $54 million in funding to support various humanitarian and development projects in Haiti.

This funding includes $2.65 million in additional humanitarian assistance to help meet the immediate needs of those affected by natural disasters and $1.4 million to support the ongoing election in Haiti and ensure citizens are able to participate at polling stations in affected areas, as well as a $50-million call for proposals to strengthen agriculture through long-term development projects.

The damage caused by Hurricane Matthew severely affected Haiti’s local food resources, including fishing and agriculture. Canada has been one of the top donors in responding to the effects of the hurricane. Today’s additional humanitarian assistance funding will help provide emergency food assistance and respond to the agricultural needs of the most vulnerable.

These initiatives are part of Canada’s balanced response to Hurricane Matthew and long-term development needs and are in line with Canada’s long-standing engagement in Haiti.

Minister Bibeau made the announcement while on her first official visit to Haiti, where she met with Canadian and international humanitarian partners working in the most affected areas and government officials in Port-au-Prince.

Quote

“After witnessing the extent of the damage caused by Hurricane Matthew, I can’t help but admire the resilience of the Haitian people and the dedication of the humanitarian workers. Canada stands side by side with Haiti, especially with the most vulnerable women and children, to help ensure that the country recovers quickly.”- Marie-Claude Bibeau, Minister of International Development and La Francophonie

Quick facts

  • On October 4, 2016, Hurricane Matthew struck Haiti, Jamaica, Cuba and the Dominican Republic. More than 2.1 million people have been affected in Haiti, and 1.4 million people are in need of humanitarian assistance.
  • Canada previously announced $6.08 million in humanitarian assistance funding to help meet the needs of those affected by Hurricane Matthew.
  • Beyond the immediate hurricane response, Haiti will need to strengthen its agricultural sector and adapt to climate change in order to alleviate poverty in rural areas. The call for proposals launched today will support long-term development of the agriculture sector, including in areas affected by the hurricane.

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Contacts

Bernard Boutin
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of International Development and La Francophonie
343-203-5977
bernard.boutin@international.gc.ca

Media Relations Office
Global Affairs Canada
343-203-7700
media@international.gc.ca
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