Ottawa/IBNS-CMEDIA: Canada announced C$5 million in humanitarian assistance for Nepal following devastating flash floods and landslides along the Nepal-China border that caused loss of life and widespread damage, Global Affairs Canada said Friday.
Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand and International Development Secretary of State Randeep Sarai announced the funding as Canadian officials worked to locate and assist affected Canadians.
The aid will support emergency food, shelter, clean water, sanitation and health services through United Nations, Red Cross and Canadian non-governmental organisation partners, according to Global Affairs Canada.
Canada also offered to deploy emergency relief supplies through the Canadian Red Cross if requested.
Five Canadian consular officials have been deployed to Kathmandu and are coordinating with local authorities and humanitarian partners, Global Affairs Canada said. The team is working with the Honorary Consul of Canada in Kathmandu to reach Canadians and their families in the affected areas.
“Canada is focused on supporting Canadians and their families as this devastating situation unfolds,” Anand said, adding that Canadian consular teams were working “around the clock” to provide assistance.
Canada is also a major contributor to international emergency response mechanisms supporting Nepal. The UN Central Emergency Response Fund has allocated US$2 million to the Nepal response, while Canada contributed more than C$29 million to the fund this year.
The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies also allocated nearly 1 million Swiss francs to the Nepal Red Cross Society following the floods. Canada contributed C$5 million to the federation’s Disaster Response Emergency Fund this year.
Global Affairs Canada said the situation remains fluid, with water levels and volumes expected to change. Canadians in Nepal and the Tibet Autonomous Region of China have been advised to regularly check Canada’s travel advisories and register with the Registration of Canadians Abroad service.
The government said it would continue working with humanitarian partners to assess the evolving needs and scale up assistance where necessary.
