Toronto-CMEDIA: UP to $9.75 million in humanitarian assistance is being offered by Canada for Myanmar earthquake relief
The 7.7 magnitude quake reportedly caused major damage in six regions and states, with more than 3,600 people killed, 5,017 hurt and 160 missing.
Additional threats of extreme heat and rain are also being faced by the people who lost their homes from the earthquake.
Canada is supporting emergency medical services and providing shelter, food and other necessities, according to Global Affairs Canada in a news release April 4.
The $9.75 million funding will be used in the following ways:
- $4 million to support the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies;
- $2 million to the World Food Programme;
- $2 million to support the Myanmar Humanitarian Fund;
- Up to $1.75 million to the Humanitarian Coalition made up of Canadian aid organizations and its member agencies around the world.
Global Affairs Canada (GAC) said the March 28 earthquake is “exacerbating” the humanitarian crisis in Myanmar, with nearly 20 million people already in need of aid before the earthquake.
“Canada also welcomes the release of US$5 million from the UN Central Emergency Response Fund, to which Canada is a long-standing donor, to support urgent humanitarian needs such as shelter, food and water,” GAC wrote in the release.
Relief efforts ramp up
With rescue efforts wounding down earlier this week, the hope of finding survivors faded
More than 17.2 million people urgently need food, drinking water, health care, cash assistance and emergency shelter, according to the UN report.
“Entire communities have been upended, forcing people to seek shelter in makeshift conditions, disrupting markets, worsening psychosocial distress and bringing essential services — including running water, sanitation and health — to the verge of collapse,” the report reads.
Search operations from 20 countries helped rescue 653 survivors as of Monday, according to the Myanmar military government.
