Member of Parliament Lawrence Toet (Elmwood-Transcona) is pleased to share news of $500,000 in funding support to the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) to address the humanitarian needs of conflict-affected families on Mindanao Island in the Philippines.
Mindanao is the second-largest and southernmost major island in the Philippines. Despite a peace agreement signed in March 2014 between the Government of the Philippines and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, the effects of decades of ongoing conflict continue on Mindanao Island, where thousands of displaced families live in dire conditions.
Mindanao has also been struck by three natural disasters over the span of 11 months, with Typhoon Bopha/Pablo in December 2012, the Bohol earthquake in October 2013, and Typhoon Haiyan in November 2013.
Canada is supporting the ICRC operations aimed at improving the health and well-being of children, women, and men by providing essential food and medical supplies along with technical assistance to rehabilitate water and sanitation facilities for thousands of conflict-affected families.
“Our Government continues to work with organizations such as the International Committee of the Red Cross to help save lives in the conflict-affected areas of the Philippine island of Mindanao,” said MP Toet. “Canada and the Philippines share a strong relationship, and our Government will continue to be a partner in the recovery process.”
To read more about Canada’s humanitarian assistance to the Philippines, visit http://www.international.gc.ca/.
