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Maria Minna Increases CIDA's Contribution for Victims of the Cyclone in India to $300,000

Countries
India
Sources
CIDA
Publication date

(99-62) News Release - November 12, 1999

Ottawa -- Maria Minna, Canada's Minister for International Cooperation, today announced a new contribution of $150,000 to help victims of the cyclone in India. This brings Canada's total contribution to nearly $300,000. CARE Canada and the Canadian Lutheran World Relief, will share this amount to help the victims of the cyclone that hit India's eastern coast on October 29.

"This new contribution will allow CARE Canada to distribute essential medical supplies, chlorine tablets, and oral-rehydration salts to 91 local health clinics, as well as offer counselling services," said Minister Minna. "Canadian Lutheran World Relief will provide plastic tarps to shelter about 8,000 of the most vulnerable families, including single mothers and children."

The latest estimates indicate that 15 million people have been displaced by this disaster, and that more than 10,000 have been killed.

The cyclone brought winds of up to 260 km/h and six-metre-high tidal waves that flattened homes, trees, and utility poles, causing massive destruction and forcing the evacuation of tens of thousands of families.

Funding for the emergency humanitarian assistance announced today was provided for in the February 1999 budget and is therefore built into the existing fiscal framework.

Information:

Robin Walsh
Office of the Minister for International Cooperation
Telephone: 819 953-3160

Media Relations Office
Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA)
Telephone: 819 953-6534
E-Mail: info@acdi-cida.gc.ca

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=A9 Her Majesty the Queen in Right of Canada, 1999