Canada responds to Haitian earthquake
An Update
Two weeks have passed since an earthquake devastated Haiti, the poorest nation in the western hemisphere. As tragic and monumental as that disaster has been, I have been equally encouraged by the will of the Haitian people to survive and the willingness of Canadians to respond to this crisis. I would like to take this opportunity to update you on how our federal government as responded to help the people of Haiti.
Canada was among the first nations to deliver personnel and supplies on the ground within a day after the earthquake. Since then, we have been able to confirm that 20 Canadians are dead and 181 still missing, and have evacuated 2424 people to Canada on 27 flights. 24 orphaned children have arrived in Canada, and many others are expected to arrive this week. The Emergency Operations Centre has already fielded 32,400 calls.
Two Navy ships, seven military helicopters, and approximately 1300 Canadian Forces members are deployed to Haiti. A disaster response team has been set up in the Jacmel region to provide engineering, medical, logistical and security services to the area. Four water purification systems are now operational, bringing our ability to produce clean water to over 139,000 gallons of water per day.
A Canadian Forces squadron has repaired the Jacmel airport and installed runway lighting that will permit 24 hour operations, and more than 34,000 pounds of cargo have been airlifted into Jacmel Airport by the Canadian Forces. A hospital managed by the Canadian and Norwegian Red Cross Societies has been set up, and another field hospital operated by the Canadian Forces is being set up in Leogane.
What is just as encouraging has been Canadians’ response to this tragedy. As of today, over $82 million have been donated, matched dollar for dollar by our government. We have lifted the $50 million cap on matching donations to ensure that Canadians continue to show their generosity to the people of Haiti. Finance Minister Jim Flaherty has also called upon Haiti’s creditors to cancel the country’s outstanding debts.
Canada has delivered over 1 million rations through the World Food Program. We’ve deployed essential supplies, including 2,925 blankets, 4,104 buckets with lids, 1,200 hygiene kits and 3,111 kitchen sets. 132 rescue teams, including Canadian ones, are active in Haiti and will continue to respond swiftly at the slightest sign of life.
Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) officials continue their efforts to expedite those adoptions of Haitian children that have completed the process. CIC officials are also working to help Canadians who have immediate family in Haiti to help them reunite with their loved ones.
On Jan. 26, Canada hosted an international conference on Haiti in Montreal where political leaders and regional and multilateral partners from around the world established a clear and common vision for the early recovery and long term reconstruction of Haiti.
I want to thank the residents of Abbotsford for their outpouring of support for the people of Haiti. Local individuals, businesses, emergency responders, churches and temples have already raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for disaster relief. Community and relief organizations such as Heart to Heart, Salvation Army, School District #34, Fraser Valley Gleaners, GAIN and MCC have quickly mobilized their resources to respond to the crisis.
The earthquake in Haiti has produced a monumental human tragedy. Thank for your unprecedented response and generosity!
Courtesy of Ed Fast, M.P.
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