Ottawa has introduced $7 million in humanitarian aid for Caribbean states hit by Hurricane Melissa — and the federal government says it would deploy troopers if requested.
“Canada stands with the individuals of the Caribbean in its efforts at this second, not with phrases however with motion,” Randeep Sarai, secretary of state for worldwide improvement, advised reporters Thursday on Parliament Hill.
“And we’ll be right here tomorrow to assist rebuild stronger, safer and extra resilient communities.”
Hurricane Melissa made landfall Tuesday. The Class 5 storm has since killed dozens of individuals in Jamaica, Cuba and Haiti whereas damaging infrastructure and inflicting widespread energy outages.
World Affairs Canada wrote Thursday afternoon that it was “not conscious of any Canadian residents who’ve been injured or killed because of this hurricane,” whereas Sarai mentioned no Canadians had been reported lacking as of that morning.
“Resulting from energy outages within the area, establishing full communication with these on the bottom could also be difficult and take time,” the division wrote in a media replace Thursday afternoon.
The division mentioned its Havana embassy had not acquired requests for assist from Canadians in Cuba, whereas the excessive fee in Jamaica is “inaccessible” however working remotely.
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Two members of the division’s fast deployment workforce arrived Thursday in Kingston, and three extra are set to reach Friday, to offer emergency consular providers and logistical help to Canadian diplomats.
The division famous Kingston’s major airport has reopened for industrial flights.
Sarai mentioned $5 million of the brand new funding will go to life-saving assist by way of emergency response businesses and well being suppliers, including that World Affairs Canada continues to be figuring out the receiving international locations and organizations.
The opposite $2 million will go to the World Meals Programme to help its efforts to distribute meals and different provides to Jamaica.
Sarai mentioned Canada is ready to deploy aid provides from its emergency stockpile by way of the Pink Cross, if international locations request that assist.
Overseas Affairs Minister Anita Anand added Canada would possibly ship army assist if it’s requested.
“At this second, the request from Jamaica has been for humanitarian assist. That’s what we’re stepping as much as present. There was no request for the Canadian Armed Forces presently,” she advised reporters.
“We in fact are standing prepared 24-7 to help in methods which are requested.”
She mentioned Canada’s precedence is to make sure assist is distributed “as quickly as doable but additionally in a manner that’s dependable.”
Ottawa has funded applications meant to assist international locations like Jamaica deal with pure disasters by way of emergency planning and logistics.
Canada can also be a part of a multi-year effort geared toward reforming world monetary establishments, such because the World Financial institution and the Worldwide Financial Fund, in order that Caribbean international locations pays for climate-resilient infrastructure.
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