(2000-11) News Release - March 8, 2000
Toronto -- Maria Minna, Canada's Minister for International Cooperation, today announced an additional $10 million for further flood relief and reconstruction efforts in Mozambique and neighbouring countries. Today's announcement brings the Canadian International Development Agency's (CIDA) total contribution since the disaster to $11.6 million.
"Canadians have rallied in support of the victims of the floods and the cyclone in Mozambique which have caused such widespread devastation," said Minister Minna. "With much of the rescue efforts completed, we must now focus on ensuring that the people of Mozambique have clean water, medicine and shelter to begin rebuilding their lives."
Today's contribution will be channelled through agencies such as the World Food Programme, UNICEF, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, the World Health Organization, and Canadian non-governmental organizations active in relief and reconstruction efforts.
Two Canadian Forces flights will leave Trenton, Ontario within the next few days to transport relief and reconstruction supplies such as picks, shovels, hoes, water pumps, plastic sheeting, blankets, chlorine tablets, soap and jerry cans.
"Canadian Forces personnel have been involved in many humanitarian aid missions world-wide in the past two decades and have first-hand knowledge," said the Honourable Art Eggleton, Minister of National Defence. "The Canadian Forces welcome the opportunity to cooperate with CIDA in providing two Airbus flights to carry much needed supplies."
Weeks of torrential rain and a recent cyclone have caused the worst flooding in Mozambique in 50 years. It is estimated that approximately one million people have been affected by the floods and some 500,000 people require immediate assistance.
Information:
Duncan Fulton
Office of the Minister for International Cooperation
Telephone: 819 997-6919
Media Relations Office
Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA)
Telephone: 819 953-6534
E-mail: info@acdi-cida.gc.ca
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=A9 Her Majesty the Queen in Right of Canada, 1999