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標題: Canada, U.S. to co-ordinate response to Haiti [打印本頁]
作者: Aquila128    時間: 14-1-2010 09:17     標題: Canada, U.S. to co-ordinate response to Haiti

本帖最後由 Aquila128 於 13-1-2010 20:23 編輯

CTV.ca News Staff
Date: Wed. Jan. 13 2010
7:23 PM ET

Prime Minister Stephen Harper said Canada and the U.S. will co-ordinate their emergency response to the earthquake in Haiti, which officials fear may have killed tens of thousands of people in and around the capital of Port-au-Prince.

Prime Minister Stephen Harper and Gov. Gen. Michaelle Jean get briefed in Ottawa on the situation in Haiti, Wednesday, Jan. 13, 2010. (Roger Smith / CTV News)

Harper spoke to U.S. President Barack Obama by phone Wednesday afternoon, CTV's Roger Smith reported, and the two leaders agreed to work together to assist the disaster-struck Caribbean state.
"I can assure you we're acting as quickly and as comprehensively as possible," Harper told reporters. "The first priority is search and rescue."

Earlier in the day, Ottawa pledged to send $5 million in immediate aid to Haiti, in addition to the full weight of its disaster assistance capabilities.

Ottawa dispatched a small reconnaissance team by helicopter Wednesday morning, to assess the damage. Military frigate HMCS Halifax is scheduled to depart for Haiti on Thursday equipped with emergency supplies.
"We're going to do out best to save lives and protect the vulnerable in the coming days," said HMCS Halifax Capt. Art McDonald.


HMCS Halifax, a multi-role patrol frigate with a complement of 225, is seen during recent unspecified operations. Halifax will be sent to Haiti shortly. (Canadian Forces Combat Camera)

Destroyer HMCS Athabaskan will also make the trip. And Canada's Disaster Assistance Response Team has been placed on standby, along with a large C-17 transport plane.

Foreign Affairs Minister Lawrence Cannon said the $5 million is an initial contribution by Canada for urgent humanitarian assistance.
"This will help provide emergency shelter, medical service, food, relief items, water and sanitation services, as well as offer protection," Cannon told reporters after cabinet ministers met with Prime Minister Stephen Harper in Ottawa.

Defence Minister Peter MacKay (left) and Foreign Affairs Minister Lawrence Cannon hold a news conference to announce Canada's aid to the disaster in Haiti in Ottawa on Wednesday, Jan. 13, 2010. (Fred Chartrand / THE CANADIAN PRESS)

Defence Minister Peter MacKay said a CF130 Hercules with 20 Canadian Forces personnel on board has already left for Haiti and is expected to land sometime Wednesday afternoon. They will provide Canadian officials with "an immediate, eyes-on assessment of the needs," he told reporters.

MacKay added that HMCS Halifax, which was recalled to port earlier today, will be sent to Haiti equipped with a Sea King helicopter. He said another vessel, HMCS Ville de Quebec, could also be sent to Haiti.

GlobalMedic volunteer Sean D'Souza, left, and Emergency Program manager Matt Capobianco prepare boxes of supplies destined for Haiti, at their Toronto headquarters, on Wednesday, Jan. 13, 2010.
(Darren Calabrese / THE CANADIAN PRESS)

A C-17 cargo plane equipped with at least one search-and-rescue helicopter will leave for the Caribbean island state on Thursday, MacKay said. He called the military relief effort in Haiti Operation Hamlet.

Earlier Wednesday, Cannon said that officials had been working all night to deploy Canada's aid resources after the powerful quake struck Tuesday.

DART
A reconnaissance force from the Disaster Assistance Response Team (DART) has been deployed and is expected to touch down -- possibly in nearby Dominican Republic -- within a few hours to assess the situation, Cannon said.

The elite team, which includes 200 Canadian Forces personnel, has been placed on standby. The Haitian government would have to make a formal request for DART to be deployed. But sources tell CTV's Ottawa Bureau Chief Robert Fife that they expect the team to be dispatched.

Cannon said the Canadian embassy in Port-au-Prince has been evacuated since Tuesday night as a precautionary measure. However, 80 Canadian citizens are taking refuge on the embassy grounds where tents, food, water and medical assistance are being provided, Cannon said.

After the cabinet meeting, Cannon reported that another Canadian in Haiti asked for help via text message, and officials were working to assist that person.
Cannon said 707 Canadians were registered as being in Haiti at the time of the quake, but said the actual number may be closer to 6,000.

Governor General Michaelle Jean, who was born in Haiti, held an emotional news conference Wednesday afternoon, during which she thanked Ottawa for responding quickly to the humanitarian crisis in her native country.
"We know that every minute, every hour, can make a difference and draw a line between life and death," she said.

Earlier on Wednesday, The Canadian Press reported that the five Canadian members of the UN peacekeeping team in the Haiti have been found safe and sound.
"We understand the situation is quite chaotic and the damage is extensive," Cannon said.
"We feel for all Haitians, Canadians in Haiti as well as Canadians here at home that have family and friends in Haiti."


On Tuesday, Harper said Canada is ready to help the people of Haiti "during this time of need."

Aid groups, Canadians struggle to connect
Meanwhile, non-governmental aid agencies were struggling Wednesday to connect with their workers on the ground in Haiti, assess the need and mobilize workers and materials for dispatch.

Dave Toycen, president and CEO of World Vision Canada, said the organization has 300 workers already in Haiti, along with relief supplies for 1,500 families that were prepared in anticipation of hurricane season.

However, the group is still struggling to get a clear picture of the devastation.
"Our phone contact has been intermittent," Toycen told CTV's Canada AM.
"We do know the supplies are in place and staff are gearing up today to do assessments, which is critical so we know what the disaster level is."

Even in the best of times infrastructure in Haiti is often barely functional, Toycen said. During a crisis the system breaks down almost completely, making it difficult for groups to deliver assistance to those who need it, he said.

Asma Heurtelou, a Canadian of Haitian descent, told Canada AM Wednesday morning from Montreal that neither she nor her husband have been able to contact family members in Haiti.
"We are very anxious," she said by phone, "we don't know what's going on." She said her sister-in-law called her last night with news that she was forced out of her water-logged home, and that she couldn't get to other family members due to roads being cut off.

Heurtelou works for AM radio station CPAM in Montreal, and said she will be contacting the Consulate General of Haiti to determine how her station can help.


Continue on page 2
Source:http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/Articl ... 20100113?hub=Canada
作者: Aquila128    時間: 14-1-2010 09:20

Continued from page 1

Ottawa's development work in Haiti
Haiti is the second-largest recipient of Canadian development aid. The two nations have a long-standing relationship, and Canada's Haitian population stood at 102,430 as of 2006.

Late last, year Cannon participated in a round of talks with Haiti's Prime Minister Jean-Max Bellerive, focused on strengthening security institutions in Haiti.

The following is a list of current projects Ottawa is involved with in Haiti, part of a promised $555 million to be delivered between 2006 and 2011.

The following is a list of Canadian projects in Haiti that was released in February 2008.

With files from The Canadian Press
Source:http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/Articl ... 20100113?hub=Canada



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