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Q: Canada's disaster relief -- today and past ( Answered 5 out of 5 stars,   2 Comments )
Question  
Subject: Canada's disaster relief -- today and past
Category: Relationships and Society > Government
Asked by: rservice-ga
List Price: $25.00
Posted: 04 Jan 2005 09:00 PST
Expires: 03 Feb 2005 09:00 PST
Question ID: 451684
I need to know two things:

1. How much has Canada (the government) pledged to the tsunami relief efforts?
2. How does this compare to past relief donations -- both in the past
from Canada and compared to other countries for this disaster.

Clarification of Question by rservice-ga on 04 Jan 2005 11:40 PST
Hello researcher -- whoever you are. :)
Do you have an ETA on when this will be done?
Answer  
Subject: Re: Canada's disaster relief -- today and past
Answered By: bobbie7-ga on 04 Jan 2005 11:42 PST
Rated:5 out of 5 stars
 
Hi Jhabley!

Below you will find the result of my research for disaster relief
contributions from Canada and other countries for this disaster and
previous ones.


?Canadian governments pledged more than C$55 million, including at
least C$40 million from the federal government, C$8 million from the
British Columbia government, and C$5 million each from the Ontario and
Alberta governments. Even Canada's smallest province, Prince Edward
Island pledged C$20,000. The northern Yukon government offered
C$25,000.

The Canadian government also announced a moratorium on debt for
countries affected by the killer tsunamis in south Asia, according to
Canadian Press. Indonesia owes the most, at C$588 million, the news
agency reported. Other affected debtor nations include Sri Lanka,
Thailand, India, Kenya, Malaysia, Maldeves and Myanmar. The Toronto
Star said the debt owed by the affected countries totals nearly C$1
billion.?

CNN/Money
http://money.cnn.com/services/tickerheadlines/for5/200412311238DOWJONESDJONLINE000440_FORTUNE5.htm


Here is a   list of contributions pledged by country, compiled from
reports by Reuters bureaus and United Nations agencies here:

Tsunami Aid

Australia  
Increased aid to $27 million and said it, the United States, Japan and
India were considering setting up a group to coordinate help. Also
sent five air force transport planes with supplies and medical
specialists to Sumatra, and two 15-member emergency medical teams and
12 police to Phuket.

Austria  
1 million euros ($1.4 million) in aid to the countries hit. 

Belgium  
Military plane due to stop at Dubai to load most of its cargo --
UNICEF aid such as tents, vaccines.

Britain  
Pledged 15 million pounds ($28.9 million); plastic sheets and tents
worth 250,000 pounds to Sri Lanka; 370,000 pounds to EU aid offer,
$100,000 to World Health Organisation.

Canada  
C$80 million ($67 million), a 20-fold increase over aid initially
pledged; blankets, water tablets, jerrycans and plastic sheeting sent
to Sri Lanka.

China  
520 million yuan ($63 million), a sharp increase from its initial
offer of 20 million yuan.

Czech Republic 
 Sent drinking water and medicine to Sri Lanka and Thailand; pledged
10 million crowns ($446,000).

Denmark 
Increased aid pledge to 85 million Danish crowns ($15.6 million) after
spending almost all initial 10 million crowns pledged. Aid to cover
medical supplies, food, water, shelter, reconstruction. UNICEF flight
from Copenhagen taking supplies to the area, including oral
rehydration salts and medical supplies for 150,000 people for three
months.


(. . .) 


France  
15 million euros pledged to affected states in Southeast Asia. French
authorities and aid groups decide to send 110 tons of aid

Germany  
Doubling emergency aid to 2 million euros. Air force medical
evacuation plane to set off for Phuket, two more planes chartered to
take disaster relief teams, medicine and consular officials there.
Germany?s largest utility E.ON donates 1 million euros.


(. . .)

Japan 
Increased aid pledge to $500 million, sent three navy vessels to
Thailand to help rescue survivors.

(. . .)

Switzerland  
Has allotted 2 million Swiss francs in aid on six teams to bring in
drinking water, food and shelter supplies.
 
Taiwan  
Pledged additional $5 million after giving $100,000 to Indonesia,
$50,000 each to Thailand, India and Sri Lanka. Sends more than 100
relief workers.
 

United Arab Emirates  
Pledged $2 million in aid; its Red Crescent society to provide food,
blankets and clothing.

United States  
Pledged $350 million. Pentagon ordered 12 vessels to region, though no
decision taken on their role.

Scroll down to the center of the page and under "Fact File ? Who?s
Helping"  click on Next to see the complete  list of countries with
their donations.
 
MSNBC News
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/6767190/


===============================================


Below you will find International Pledges and Contributions for other
disasters from Canada and other countries.


Iran Earthquake 
Date: 19 May 1997
Source: UN Department of Humanitarian Affairs

International Pledges And Contributions By Governments 

CANADA  
Contribution through IFRC  120,000  

AUSTRALIA  
Cash AUD 200,000  156,200  

BELGIUM  
Cash through Flemish Red Cross 285,000  

See the complete list here:
http://www.reliefweb.int/w/rwb.nsf/0/72d8a712951c1ad5c125649d002452c9?OpenDocument
  

---------------------------------------------------------------------


Sri Lanka Floods
Date: 6 Jun 1989
Source: UN Department of Humanitarian Affairs

GOVERNMENTS

CANADA	
CAN.DLRS 25,000 TO RED CROSS AND CAN.DLRS 1,000 TO NGO	
21,667
		
FINLAND	
CASH FMK 150,000 THROUGH FINNISH RED CROSS	
33,708

FRANCE	
CASH FFR 200,000 LOCAL PURCHASE FOOD, RELIEF SUPPLIES	
29,586

See donations by other countries here:
http://www.reliefweb.int/w/rwb.nsf/0/b4d5d29a1a79ffb3c125656a003d11ff?OpenDocument


-----------------------------------------------------------------


China - Floods
Date: 16 Aug 1996
Source: UN Department of Humanitarian Affairs

AUSTRALIA 	
AUD 50,000 CASH THROUGH DHA  - 39,350
AUD 100,000 CASH THROUGH AUSTRALIAN NGO -  78,740 
	
CANADA	
CAD 75,000 CASH THROUGH MSF/CANADA - 54,745 

MALAYSIA 	
CASH BILATERAL TO GOVT	100,000 

HONGKONG	
HKD 121 MILLION CASH BILATERAL 	15,653,299
http://www.reliefweb.int/w/rwb.nsf/0/62bc9721afe60397c125638c00305f6d?OpenDocument

Source: UN Department of Humanitarian Affairs
Date: 30 Jul 1996
China - Floods
See donations by other countries here:
http://www.reliefweb.int/w/rwb.nsf/480fa8736b88bbc3c12564f6004c8ad5/5e8cf496d6e74853c1256378004c0030?OpenDocument


-------------------------------------------------------------------


List of International Contributions for Assistance to Severely Drought
Affected Areas of Ethiopia
Date: 25 Nov 1999
Source: UNDP Emergencies Unit for Ethiopia
See Table 1
http://www.reliefweb.int/w/rwb.nsf/0/c2c3db4c593052978525683c006a8dfa?OpenDocument

------------------------------------------------------------------------



Madagascar Cyclone 
Date: 31 Jan 1994
Source: UN Department of Humanitarian Affairs

CANADA 
CASH (THROUGH IFRCS)  = 37,878 

FRANCE 
TECHNICAL AND MEDICAL ASSISTANCE PERSONNEL/RELIEF
ITEMS/MEDICINES/FOOD), SEVERAL AIRLIFTS AND SEA
TRANSPORT = 5,000,000

SPAIN 	
RELIEF GOODS	= 63,829

See donations by other countries here:
http://www.reliefweb.int/w/rwb.nsf/0/5f82de6998410f04c125659c0039a4d7?OpenDocument


----------------------------------------------------------------------


Response to the SADC/UN Humanitarian Appeal 

?The USA is the largest contributor donating US$110.3 million,
followed by the United Kingdom at US$30.1 million, Japan at 12.5
million, Germany at 8.2 million and Netherlands, Sweden, Norway,
Canada contributing between US$5-6 million each.?

Source: Southern African Development Community
Date: 22 Oct 2002 http://www.reliefweb.int/w/rwb.nsf/0/06b5f91a9381cf95c1256c7c005b2d52?OpenDocument


Search criteria:
Disaster Relief  Funds, donations, pledges, 1980..2004 million OR billion 
Canada, United States,  France 

I hope this is helpful. 

Best regards,
Bobbie7

Request for Answer Clarification by rservice-ga on 04 Jan 2005 12:00 PST
Thanks Bobbie7 - any chance you were able to stumble across any sort
of aggregate figure?  i.e. Canada has donated more than $____ in total
over the last xx years...

Clarification of Answer by bobbie7-ga on 04 Jan 2005 12:03 PST
I didn't see any total figures but I'll take another look and get back
to you as soon as I can.

Thanks,
Bobbie7

Clarification of Answer by bobbie7-ga on 04 Jan 2005 12:22 PST
Hello again,

This is what I found.

Since 2000, the Government of Canada has provided some $C35 million in
response to natural disasters, and $C11.2 million towards natural
disaster preparedness efforts.
 
Excerpt: 

?Since 1999, efforts have been devoted to improving Canada`s response
to natural disasters abroad. These efforts are grounded on a coherent
interdepartmental approach and solid links with our inter-governmental
and non-governmental partners. Through the The Department of Foreign
Affairs and International Trade (DFAIT), Canada has developed Standard
Operating Procedures (SOPs) to ensure a more coordinated, effective
and rapid Government-wide response when disaster strikes. The Canadian
International Development Agency (CIDA) is the Government of Canada?s
main channel for the provision of emergency humanitarian assistance.
In 2000, CIDA created a dedicated Emergency Response Unit to enhance
Canada`s capacity to respond to natural disasters and emergencies
abroad, including through the capacity to deploy relief supplies and
support assessment teams. The Canadian Red Cross is being contracted
to provide operational and administrative support to CIDA in emergency
response. Since 2000, the Government of Canada has provided some $C35
million in response to natural disasters, and $C11.2 million towards
natural disaster preparedness efforts.?

International Conference of the Red Cross
http://www.icrc.org/APPLIC/P127e.nsf/0/B7872891F8423473C1256DC60037D187?openDocument&section=


?In the event of a large-scale disaster, the Government of Canada
provides financial assistance to provincial and territorial
governments through the Disaster Financial Assistance Arrangements
(DFAA).

Since the inception of the program in 1970, the Government of Canada
has paid out more than $1.4 billion in post-disaster assistance to
help provinces and territories offset the costs of response and of
returning infrastructure and personal property to pre-disaster
condition. Recent examples include payments for the 1997 Red River
flood in Manitoba, and the 1998 ice storm in Quebec and Ontario.?
Fact Sheet
http://www.ocipep.gc.ca/info_pro/fact_sheets/general/FA_df_assist_e.asp



?The Canadian government is doubling its financial contribution to at
least $80 million for the international relief effort in response to
the disaster caused by the earthquake and tsunamis that swept through
many countries in South and Southeast Asia.?
http://www.acdi-cida.gc.ca/cida_ind.nsf/0/0942e1aca702539a85256f7d005dd8cb?OpenDocument


I hope that this information meets your needs.

Best regards,
Bobbie7
rservice-ga rated this answer:5 out of 5 stars
Great stuff as usual -- thanks for the extra work with my
clarification. You continue to exceed expectation!

Comments  
Subject: Re: Canada's disaster relief -- today and past
From: bobbie7-ga on 04 Jan 2005 20:10 PST
 
Dear Jhabley,

Thank you for the 5 stars and the kind words.

Sincerely,
Bobbie7
Subject: Re: Canada's disaster relief -- today and past
From: tark_o-ga on 05 Jan 2005 09:30 PST
 
Thought that you might want to know that on 2nd Jan. Paul Martin
Canadian prime misnister declared that the Tsunami aid from federal
government will double to 80 Million. In those 80M a part of the
donation will be for matching private donation from canadian
population. When asked by reporters if their is a Ceiling on the
matching program he said that eventully there could be but we are
still far from it. they matching fund raising expires on 11th Jan.

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