25 November 2013

Prime Minister Stephen Harper today attended a community event at the Philippine-Canadian Centre of Manitoba, where he spoke with members of Winnipeg’s Filipino-Canadian community about the situation in the Philippines following Typhoon Haiyan, and Canada’s ongoing efforts to provide assistance to those affected.

“Our thoughts and prayers continue to be with those in the Philippines who have been devastated by Typhoon Haiyan.  I was pleased today to have the opportunity to speak with members of Winnipeg’s Filipino-Canadian community, to pay my respects and convey the actions that our Government has been taking to alleviate suffering in the aftermath of this tragic natural disaster,” said the Prime Minister.  “In addition to committing over $20 million in humanitarian assistance and implementing compassionate immigration measures, our Government has also deployed the DART in the provinces of Iloilo and Capiz on Panay Island, where over 300 Canadian Armed Forces members are clearing roads and providing health support and clean water to those in need.”

Canada is responding to the disaster in close collaboration with the Filipino- Canadian community, the Government of the Philippines and Canada's humanitarian partners, such as United Nations agencies, the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, and other non-governmental organizations, to ensure that humanitarian assistance meets the needs of the people most affected by the typhoon.

By:IANS