Foreign Minister John Baird signed today the Condolence Book opened for the victims of Typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan) at the Philippine Embassy in Ottawa as he also indicated that Canada is prepared to offer more help to the Philippines and the Filipino people in this time of difficulty.
In an exchange with Philippine Ambassador Leslie Gatan, Minister Baird assured that Canadians would be prepared to consider further aid and assistance to the Philippines, even as Canada quadrupled its funding assistance to the Philippines as announced by Prime Minister Stephen Harper. Foreign Minister Baird made sure that Ambassador Gatan calls him directly in order to quickly address further aid and assistance requirements from Canada.
Minister Baird fittingly closed the condolence book for the typhoon victims, which was also earlier signed at the Embassy by Prime Minister Stephen Harper himself. Development Minister Christian Paradis, International Trade Minister Edward Fast, Immigration and Citizenship Minister Chris Alexander, and Minister of State Lynne Yelich all took time the sign on the book as well. Senate Speaks Noel Kinsella and Speaker for the House of Commons Andrew Scheer led other parliamentarians from the ruling party and opposition parties in conveying their sympathies and condoling with Filipinos by also signing the book.
The Government of Canada has taken quick and decisive actions to provide emergency relief to the victims of Typhoon Haiyan. These measures include providing up to $5 million in support to humanitarian organizations for emergency relief activities; providing an initial allocation of $30,000 to the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies to help launch relief operations; creating a matching fund by which the government will contribute a dollar for each eligible dollar donated by individual Canadians to registered Canadian charities until December 9, 2013; assisting with the deployment of a Canadian Red Cross 12-person medical team and field hospital to provide emergency health support in the Philippines; sending the Interdepartmental Strategic Support Team to Manila to determine where Canada’s help is most needed; and, deploying elements of the Canadian Armed Forces’ Disaster Assistance Response Team (DART) to support Government of Canada relief efforts in the region by providing clean water, medical assistance and logistical support. The DART is addressing the pressing needs in the provinces of Iloilo and Capiz. In addition, Canada is prioritizing the processing of Filipino applications on request from those who are significantly and personally affected by Typhoon Haiyan. Requests from Filipino citizens who are temporarily in Canada and wish to extend their stay will be assessed in a compassionate and flexible manner.
Prime Minister Harper also spoke with President Benigno Aquino III, on November 11 to extend his heartfelt condolences to the people of the Philippines, and to offer support to the Government of the Philippines in the aftermath of the disaster.
