Ottawa has introduced $7 million in humanitarian reduction for Caribbean states hit by Hurricane Melissa — and the federal government says it’d deploy troopers if requested.
“Canada stands with the individuals of the Caribbean in its efforts at this second, not with phrases however with motion,” Randeep Sarai, secretary of state for worldwide growth, informed reporters Thursday on Parliament Hill.
“And we’ll be right here tomorrow to assist rebuild stronger, safer and extra resilient communities.”
Hurricane Melissa made landfall Tuesday. The Class 5 storm has since killed dozens of individuals in Jamaica, Cuba and Haiti whereas damaging infrastructure and inflicting widespread energy outages.
International Affairs Canada wrote Thursday afternoon that it was “not conscious of any Canadian residents who’ve been injured or killed because of this hurricane,” whereas Sarai mentioned no Canadians had been reported lacking as of that morning.
“As a consequence of energy outages within the area, establishing full communication with these on the bottom could also be difficult and take time,” the division wrote in a media replace Thursday afternoon.
The division mentioned its Havana embassy had not obtained requests for assist from Canadians in Cuba, whereas the excessive fee in Jamaica is “inaccessible” however working remotely.
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Two members of the division’s fast deployment group arrived Thursday in Kingston, and three extra are set to reach Friday, to supply emergency consular providers and logistical assist to Canadian diplomats.
The division famous Kingston’s predominant airport has reopened for business flights.
Sarai mentioned $5 million of the brand new funding will go to life-saving assist via emergency response companies and well being suppliers, including that International Affairs Canada remains to be figuring out the receiving international locations and organizations.
The opposite $2 million will go to the World Meals Programme to assist its efforts to distribute meals and different provides to Jamaica.
Sarai mentioned Canada is ready to deploy reduction provides from its emergency stockpile via the Purple Cross, if international locations request that assist.
International Affairs Minister Anita Anand added Canada would possibly ship navy assist if it’s requested.
“At this second, the request from Jamaica has been for humanitarian support. That’s what we’re stepping as much as present. There was no request for the Canadian Armed Forces right now,” she informed reporters.
“We in fact are standing prepared 24-7 to help in methods which might be requested.”
She mentioned Canada’s precedence is to make sure support is distributed “as quickly as potential but additionally in a method that’s dependable.”
Ottawa has funded applications meant to assist international locations like Jamaica deal with pure disasters via emergency planning and logistics.
Canada can also be a part of a multi-year effort aimed toward reforming international monetary establishments, such because the World Financial institution and the Worldwide Financial Fund, in order that Caribbean international locations will pay for climate-resilient infrastructure.
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