Cablegate: Emergency Canadian Aid to Afghan and Pakistan

VZCZCXRO4000
PP RUEHGA RUEHHA RUEHQU RUEHVC
DE RUEHOT #1275 1861821
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 051821Z JUL 07
FM AMEMBASSY OTTAWA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 6045
INFO RUCNCAN/ALL CANADIAN POSTS COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
RUEHIL/AMEMBASSY ISLAMABAD PRIORITY 0794
RUEHBUL/AMEMBASSY KABUL PRIORITY 0116
RUEHNE/AMEMBASSY NEW DELHI PRIORITY 0395
RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK PRIORITY 0311

UNCLAS OTTAWA 001275

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

STATE FOR WHA/CAN, SCA/PB AND SCA/A
STATE PASS USAID FOR ANE AND DCHA

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EAID SOCI SENV AF PK CA
SUBJECT: EMERGENCY CANADIAN AID TO AFGHAN AND PAKISTAN
STORM VICTIMS

1. Foreign Minister MacKay and International Development
Minister Verner announced in a July 4 press release that
Canada will contribute up to C$2 million to provide immediate
relief to the people of Pakistan and Afghanistan affected by
recent flash floods and landslides. The humanitarian aid
will be provided through trusted international and local
partners involved in the relief effort. While India was also
affected by the storms, the press release said that Indian
government has not requested international assistance.

2. MacKay said that "on behalf of all Canadians, I extend my
deepest sympathies to all those affected by the flooding.
Ensuring their safety and responding to their basic human
needs is important to the Government of Canada. We have been
in close touch with the governments (of Pakistan and
Afghanistan) and with humanitarian partners to determine the
best way for Canada to assist." Verner added that "this new
funding builds on existing Canadian humanitarian programs.
For instance, in Afghanistan, food and other immediate relief
is already provided through existing agreements with the
World Food Program and UNICEF." The press release said that
Canada may adjust its contribution as needs in the affected
areas are assessed.

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