Canada announces additional $25m for flood-hit people of Pakistan

Published September 14, 2022
In this file photo, Canada’s Prime Minister Justin Trudeau addresses a gathering in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada on Sep 5, 2022. — Reuters/File
In this file photo, Canada’s Prime Minister Justin Trudeau addresses a gathering in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada on Sep 5, 2022. — Reuters/File

Canada has announced an additional $25 million of funding in humanitarian assistance to support people and communities affected by severe flooding in Pakistan, an official statement said.

The statement said the new allocation was in addition to the $5m announced last month for humanitarian assistance to support Pakistan. Canada Prime Minister Justin Trudeau had said that his country will continue to provide food, clean water and other essential services through trusted partners.

“Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced that the Government of Canada will match donations to the Humanitarian Coalition in response to the flooding in Pakistan. Every donation made by individuals to the Humanitarian Coalition and its members until September 28, 2022, will be matched, up to a maximum of $3m,” the statement said.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau also announced that Canada will also support development projects in the country.

The funds, raised through the Canadians, will help the Humanitarian Coalition and its members deliver life-saving services, such as emergency food and nutrition assistance and emergency cash and vouchers, as well as necessary water, sanitation, and health services.

Read more: More flood aid pours in as world lends a helping hand

The statement said Pakistan had experienced the worst flooding in recent history, and Canada will continue “to help the people of Pakistan by supporting the humanitarian response to the crisis and longer-term development needs”.

Minister for International Development and Pacific Economic Development Agency Harjit Sajjan, during his visit to Pakistan, said “Canadians believe in helping others in times of crisis”.

“This is why the Government of Canada is joining with Canadians in supporting Canada’s partners on the ground in Pakistan that are providing urgent, life-saving assistance in response to this devastating flood.”

Sajjan said his country couldn’t forget flood-hit people, especially women, who had been disproportionately affected. “We continue to look at other ways we can continue to assist those impacted by this tragedy.”

He also announced a $20m contribution to the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI), via the World Health Organisation and UNICEF, to support polio eradication efforts in Pakistan.

This contribution is part of Canada’s ongoing $190m commitment to the GPEI, the statement added.

Opinion

The risk of escalation

The risk of escalation

The silence of the US and some other Western countries over the raid on the Iranian consulate has only provided impunity to the Zionist state.

Editorial

Saudi FM’s visit
Updated 17 Apr, 2024

Saudi FM’s visit

The government of Shehbaz Sharif will have to manage a delicate balancing act with Pakistan’s traditional Saudi allies and its Iranian neighbours.
Dharna inquiry
17 Apr, 2024

Dharna inquiry

THE Supreme Court-sanctioned inquiry into the infamous Faizabad dharna of 2017 has turned out to be a damp squib. A...
Future energy
17 Apr, 2024

Future energy

PRIME MINISTER Shehbaz Sharif’s recent directive to the energy sector to curtail Pakistan’s staggering $27bn oil...
Tough talks
Updated 16 Apr, 2024

Tough talks

The key to unlocking fresh IMF funds lies in convincing the lender that Pakistan is now ready to undertake real reforms.
Caught unawares
Updated 16 Apr, 2024

Caught unawares

The government must prioritise the upgrading of infrastructure to withstand extreme weather.
Going off track
16 Apr, 2024

Going off track

LIKE many other state-owned enterprises in the country, Pakistan Railways is unable to deliver, while haemorrhaging...