UNCLAS OTTAWA 001238

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EAID PHUM PREF IZ CA AID
SUBJECT: CANADA CONTINUING TO RESPOND TO IRAQ HUMANITARIAN
NEEDS

REF: A. STATE 104327 B. OTTAWA 1026 C. OTTAWA 1190


1. (U) Poloff conveyed the points contained ref A on
humanitarian assistance and reconstruction of Iraq to Louise
Marchand, Director General for Humanitarian Assistance at the
Canadian International Development Agency, and Norman
Macdonnell, CIDA's Chief of Operations for International
Humanitarian Assistance, on April 30. Canada has pledged
C$100 million (approximately U.S. $70 million) to help meet
humanitarian needs in Iraq (ref B). CIDA recently announced
the allocation of a second installment of this funding, in
the total amount of C$35 million. This installment will be
allocated as follows: United Nations Children's Fund - C$5
million; World Food Program - C$13 million; Office for the
Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs - C$1 million;
International Committee of the Red Cross - C$10 million;
United Nations Security Coordinator - C$1 million; and United
Nations Mine Action Service - C$5 million. To date, Canada
has allocated approximately C$60 million of the C$100 million
earmarked for humanitarian assistance to Iraq.


2. (SBU) Marchand indicated Canada's overall approach to
future Iraq humanitarian spending, and to reconstruction
efforts in Iraq, will be discussed at a cabinet meeting on
May 6 (ref C). Marchand said Canada will pay close attention
to the Iraq needs assessments being prepared by the World
Bank, IMF, and U.N. in deciding on its future assistance
allocations, and that Canada will continue to work through
U.N. agencies and other international organizations in
providing assistance. With respect to reconstruction,
Marchand mentioned Canada has a particular interest in
helping with water projects in Iraq, and hopes to work on
such projects in partnership with an international
organization such as UNICEF.
CELLUCCI