On January 12th, a catastrophic earthquake measuring 7.3 on the Richter scale struck close to Port-au-Prince. The earthquake has caused widespread devastation and loss of life. Major infrastructure has been destroyed, and power and telecommunications have been severely disrupted. Hundreds of thousands of Haitians and foreign nationals died or were injured in the aftermath of the quake.
Since the first moments after the quake, Canadian officials in Ottawa and in Port-au-Prince have been actively working to support Canadians and Haitians in distress. Canadian officials have worked tirelessly to evacuate hundreds of Canadians to safety, and the Government of Canada has worked with the Government of Haiti, the United Nations, members of the international community and other trusted humanitarian partners and donors to ensure urgent and effective relief reaches those most in need.
In response to the crisis, the Government of Canada has mounted a rapid and comprehensive humanitarian effort, involving several departments and agencies from across the Federal government. Within hours of the quake, the government deployed civilian and military emergency management experts to Haiti from the Department of Foreign Affairs, the Canadian International Development Agency and the Department of National Defence. On the morning of 13 January, a larger Canadian response was mounted, including a C-17 transport aircraft with medical equipment, and two search‑and‑rescue Griffon helicopters.
To-date, Canada has committed to over $135 million for emergency and recovery efforts:
- In the quakes immediate aftermath, the government committed an initial $5 million in urgent humanitarian assistance
- $60 million to the UN Appeal to help UN organizations deliver essential services to approximately 3 million people over the next 6 months. $39 million of which will be to address food security needs through the World Food Programme and $15 million to UNICEF to fund interventions in health, nutrition, protection, water and sanitations services for women and children
- $11.5 million to six Canadian non-governmental organizations (CARE, Medecins due Monde, Save the Children, Oxfam-Quebec, CECI, World Vision and the Canadian-Red Cross Society for sure life-saving services as water and sanitation, medical treatment, shelter and the provision of protection)
- $8.5 million to the Emergency Appeal of the International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies. This will help the IFRC to continue to provide water, sanitation and health services to approximately 300,000 people.
As well, the Government of Canada has also announced the Haiti Relief Fund. In recognition of the deep compassion and overwhelming generosity shown by Canadians, the Prime Minister has lifted the original $50 million cap on this matching fund. Now, the Fund will match, dollar for dollar, the generosity of individual Canadians donating to recognized charitable organizations that are working to help Haitians affected by the disaster. It is reported to date that individual Canadians have donated approximately $67 millions & 14 Canadian NGOs have reported $82 million raised– all of which the Government of Canada will match.
The Government has also deployed numerous expert personnel (e.g. search and rescue technicians, medical and logistics personnel, engineers, humanitarian and disaster victim identification experts), relief supplies, and Canadian Forces assets (e.g. the Disaster Assistance Response Team (DART), a Naval Task Force (made up of a destroyer and a frigate, and a CH-124 Sea King helicopter), Six CH-146 Griffon helicopters, a CC-177 Globemaster and CC-130 Hercules airlift support, and a Field Hospital). There are apporximately 141,400 Canadian Forces currently working in Haiti to oversee deployment.
To date through continuous Canadian Forces strategic air lift, almost 900,000 pounds of relief have been deleivered to Haiti. When combined with the equipment and the supplies a total cargo set that has gone to Haiti now stand at over 2.5 million pounds (this includes medical supplies, logistical supplies, vehicles, communication equipment, water and basic food rations)
In addition, CIDA has distributed 1,000 tents, 5,000 shelter kits, 11,400 tarps, 1,900 hygiene kits, 4,000 buckets, 5,800 jerry cans, 3,100 kitchen sets, and 2,000 mosquito nets from its emergency stockpile
Canadian consular officials are working around the clock on the ground in Haiti and in Ottawa to respond to the disaster, and assist families locate and return their loved ones who have been hit by the quake. Already 2,869 Canadians have been evacuated. Canadian officials are also following up on all reports of casualties to the best of their ability, given the devastation to the infrastructure and communications in Haiti.
Friends and relatives in Canada seeking information on Canadian citizens believed to be in Haiti should contact DFAIT's Emergency Operations Centre in Ottawa by calling 1 800 387 3124, or for those in Ottawa (613) 943-1055, or by sending an email to sos@international.gc.ca
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