September
1, 2005 - Connect2Canada
Canadians
are responding to the plight of the hundreds of thousands
of people who have been left destitute in the aftermath
of Hurricane Katrina. We encourage you to forward this message
to whomever you think would find it helpful.
Prime
Minister Paul Martin spoke with U.S. President George W.
Bush by telephone and told him that Canada is ready to help
in any way at any time. On the day of the hurricane, Deputy
Prime Minister Anne McClellan spoke to U.S. Homeland Security
Secretary Michael Chertoff and advised him that Canada stands
ready to provide assistance if needed. Today, the Chief
of Defence Staff, General Rick Hillier, spoke with the Chairman
of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Richard Myers and
the commander of the U.S. Northern Command, and offered
assistance from the military. The Canadian Forces have been
put on standby to help the United States deal with the aftermath
of hurricane Katrina.
Public
Safety and Emergency Preparedness Canada has been in regular
contact with both the Federal Emergency Management Agency
and the Department of Homeland Security. Officials in the
United States are assessing what support they may need from
Canada. At the request of Health and Human Services, our
officials at Canada's Public Health Agency are preparing
an inventory of emergency supplies that can be sent at a
moment's notice.
The
Deputy Prime Minister Anne McClellan announced that Canada
is preparing a whole-of-government response to provide any
support needed to the United States. If our friends in the
United States need any of our water purification equipment,
support through our military's Disaster
Assistance Relief Team (DART), or other forms of emergency
supplies, we will provide it. The DART can provide medical
care, power and clean water, and can head south on 48 hours
notice. Canada's military is also on standby to provide
transport planes or helicopters, electrical generators,
water purification systems, small boats for navigating the
waterways of the region and engineering equipment and expertise.
The
Minister of Health, Ujjal Dosanjh, has directed the Public
Health Agency of Canada to contact the U.S. Department of
Health and Human Services and offer any assistance that
may be helpful, such as emergency medical supplies contained
in the National
Emergency Stockpile System (NESS). The following NESS
supplies are available to help with the hurricane relief
efforts; beds and blankets, water purification tablets,
mini-clinics, and medical supplies and equipment. The provinces
are also undertaking support missions: for example, today
British Columbia will send the Vancouver-based Heavy
Urban Search and Rescue (HUSAR) team to Louisiana.
The
Prime Minister and Deputy Prime Minister have expressed
condolences and indicated that we are ready and able to
help in this time of need. Yesterday the Prime Minister
released this statement on Canada's commitment:
"Like
all Canadians, I am distressed by the destruction and loss
of life wrought by Hurricane Katrina. On behalf of the Government
of Canada and all Canadians, I offer our sincere condolences
to the American people. During this most difficult time,
Canada stands with you, and we are ready to provide whatever
support you may require in the days, weeks and months ahead.
"Even
before the enormity of the devastation became clear, I asked
Deputy Prime Minister Anne McLellan to lead the Government
of Canada's response to any requests for assistance. We
are continuing to monitor the situation closely. I know
that she and a number of her Cabinet colleagues have been
in touch with their American counterparts and have begun
to determine what assistance Canada can offer. We have made
it clear that we are prepared to offer any and all possible
assistance, and we will continue to work closely with our
neighbours as they deal with this terrible event."
Canadian citizens are also offering their support. Thousands
have donated to aid agencies providing relief in the affected
areas. The Canadian
Red Cross is sending highly trained disaster response
volunteers to assist the American Red Cross.
As
the situation continues, we will keep you informed on what
Canada is doing for the victims of Hurricane Katrina. For
regular updates, please check the Embassy's website on Canada's
response to Hurricane Katrina.
Our American friends are in our thoughts and our prayers.
