Government of Canada Takes Immediate Action to Assist with Relief in Haiti

January 14, 2010 -- Ottawa, Ontario -- Earlier this week a strong earthquake measuring 7.3 on the Richter scale struck close to Port-au-Prince, causing catastrophic damage to infrastructure and severely disrupting power and telecommunications. Tragically, the resulting casualties are expected to be very high.

I want to extend my sincerest condolences to those affected by the earthquake.

The federal government is taking immediate action to assist those in Haiti with the situation. On January 14, 2010, the Honourable Beverley J. Oda, Minister of International Cooperation, announced that the Government of Canada will immediately provide up to $5 million for urgent humanitarian assistance to Haitians. This will help provide emergency shelter, medical services, food, relief items, water and sanitation services.

In addition, Prime Minister Harper has spoken to President Obama by phone to ensure that Canada is organizing its efforts with those of the United States, so that both countries are involved in a coordinated, coherent response.

The best way for Canadians to help is to donate money - not clothing or food - to experienced humanitarian organizations. Cash donations are best because they are quick, efficient and adaptable. They are the fastest, most efficient way to get help to people living in a disaster zone because they allow relief agencies to purchase quickly supplies based on the specific needs of the affected population.

If you would like to contribute to the relief effort, please click here for a detailed list of humanitarian organizations that are involved in providing aid.

For our part, the Government of Canada will match dollar for dollar the contributions of individual Canadians to eligible Canadian charitable organizations in support of humanitarian, recovery and reconstruction efforts in response to the earthquake in Haiti, up to a total of $50 million. The government will then use the relief fund to provide assistance through international and humanitarian organizations under established channels and procedures. After the $50 million threshold is reached, longer-term needs will be addressed through other projects, as well as CIDA's established development program in Haiti.

The maximum amount per single donation that the government will match is $100,000. To count towards the Haiti Earthquake Relief Fund, donations must be:
  • Made by an individual Canadian;
  • Made to a registered Canadian charitable organization that is receiving donations in response to the January 12 Haiti earthquake;
  • Specifically earmarked by such organizations for the purpose of responding to the earthquake; and,
  • Made between January 12 and February 12, 2010.
If you are part of a Canadian company that would like to provide assistance, information on how companies can help is also available here .

Haiti is the largest recipient of Canadian development assistance in the Americas. It is currently the second largest development program of the Canadian International Development Agency. The Government of Canada will continue its commitment as we monitor the situation closely, and we are working in partnership with the Haitian government and with partners on the ground to implement assisting action.

Rob Moore is the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Justice and the MP for Fundy Royal.

- 30 -
William Spisso
Special Assistant - Communications
Office of Rob Moore, M.P. Fundy Royal
(613) 996-2316