CIDA Pledges $4.3 Million in Aid for Kenya

Thank you to all who contacted the government asking for humanitarian aid for Kenyan refugees, CIDA has responded to your requests!!

http://www.marketwire.com/mw/release.do?id=815949

Canadian International Development Agency - CIDA

Jan 30, 2008 17:01 ET

Canada Increases its Support for Humanitarian Aid in Kenya

OTTAWA, ONTARIO--(Marketwire - Jan. 30, 2008) - The Honourable Beverley J. Oda, Minister of International Cooperation, and the Honourable Maxime Bernier, Minister of Foreign Affairs, announced today that the Government of Canada will increase its support for humanitarian aid in Kenya.

Canada, through the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA), will provide an additional contribution of almost $3.3 million to UN agencies and Canadian non-governmental organizations as part of a global effort to provide assistance to Kenyans seriously affected by the violence arising following the disputed elections. This additional assistance builds on Canada's previous $1 million contribution made earlier this year to support the Red Cross Movement's efforts in Kenya.

"Canadians are very concerned by the events that are taking place in Kenya and that's why Canada was among the first countries to announce emergency aid," said Minister Oda. "This additional contribution of almost $3.3 million in funding will help organizations such as UNICEF, the World Food Programme and others alleviate the suffering of those affected by the incidents of violence that followed the elections."

"Canada strongly urges those groups instigating, organizing or participating in acts of violence to lay down their arms," Minister Bernier said. "We reiterate our support for the efforts of Kofi Annan and other eminent African persons to bring a negotiated end to the crisis. Canada urges the Government of Kenya to ensure that all incidents of violence are investigated and perpetrators brought to justice," Minister Bernier added.

In addition to its increased contribution, Canada has deployed three specialists to assist UNICEF in Kenya to help protect displaced children and women, help ensure access to clean water and assist in the coordination of ongoing emergency efforts. These specialists will coordinate with other humanitarian agencies already in Kenya to ensure an effective overall response, including the use of funds pledged by the United Nations Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) for this situation.

In December 2007, Canada pledged $192 million over 5 years to the CERF, a rapid response fund, making Canada the fifth largest donor to this first critical response fund for humanitarian agencies. In addition, the Canadian Foodgrains Bank is currently providing emergency food assistance in Kenya, drawing on Canada's annual support of $20 million, announced in July 2007.

BACKGROUNDER

January 2008

Allocation of Additional Funds:

The additional contribution of almost $3.3 million will be allocated to the following organizations:

- $1.2 million to UNICEF;

- $750,000 to the World Food Programme;

- $300,000 to the UN High Commissioner for Refugees;

- $150,000 to Plan Canada;

- $150,000 to Save the Children;

- $150,000 to Medecins Sans Frontieres;

- $141,000 to Christian Reformed World Relief Committee;

- $120,000 to World Vision Canada;

- $100,000 to the International Rescue Committee;

- $100,000 to CARE;

- $52,000 to the United Nations Population Fund; and

- $48,000 to Handicap International.

Canadian Development Experts Heading To Kenya:

Canadian specialists registered with CANADEM-with essential skills and experience-are ready to be deployed at any time to United Nations agencies responding to sudden-onset humanitarian crises. These emergency response deployments are supported through a $1 million project between the Canadian International Development Agency and CANADEM. This Canadian non-governmental organization engages skilled individuals from its roster of over 9,500 to help strengthen the activities of partners in the field with the goal of advancing international peace and security.

Three Canadian specialists will arrive in Kenya later in the week. They will work respectively in the following areas: aid to women and children who have been victims of the conflict, distribution of safe water, and the coordination of humanitarian efforts.



For more information, please contact

Office of the Minister of International Cooperation
Joanna Bailey
Press Secretary
819-953-6238

or

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

or

Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada
Foreign Affairs Media Relations Office
613-995-1874
www.international.gc.ca/index.aspx

or

CANADEM
613-789-3328
canadem@canadem.ca