CANADA: APPEAL FOR CONTRIBUTIONS TO PAKISTAN

UNCLAS OTTAWA 003198 SIPDIS STATE FOR WHA/CAN AND SA PARIS ALSO FOR OECD E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: EAID PHUM PREL PK CA SUBJECT: CANADA: APPEAL FOR CONTRIBUTIONS TO PAKISTAN EARTHQUAKE RELIEF REF: A. STATE 195483 ¶B. OTTAWA 3173 ¶C. OTTAWA 3170 ¶D. OTTAWA 3167 ¶E. ISLAMABAD 15856 ¶1. The GOC is contemplating an additional pledge at Geneva but the amount is not yet confirmed. They asked if post has information on the amount the US plans to announce. The Canadian delegation to the October 26 conference in Geneva will be led by their Ambassador, Paul Meyers, or his alternate Terry Cormier. C$20 million and tents so far -------------- ¶1. On October 21 the GOC committed C$20 million to respond to the October 8, 2005 earthquake. This was in addition to the initial C$300,000 announced in the 24-hours after the disaster. (The total thus far approaches US$20 million.) In response to a request from the GOP, Canada has sent 12,000 winterized blankets (21 tonnes) by milair in two shipments. Canada is also providing C$5 million to deploy two helicopters through the UN, with C$700,000 in fuel and staff support. ¶2. As with the tsunami, the GOC has offered to match all donations made by individual Canadians between October 8-26 to registered Canadian charities and is expediting immigration on family reunification grounds for those with relatives in the affected area. Following consultation with the GOP, Canada has an assessment team in Pakistan to determine how best to assist, and has deployed its Disaster Assistance Response Team. Shipment of Tents -------------- ¶3. As described refs C and D, the GOC has agreed to pay for shipment of 7,500 winterized tents acquired by a Canadian NGO. The first tranche of 1,300 tents is expected to arrive in Pakistan today (October 25). An additional 1,600 have left Canada for the U.S., awaiting a PIA flight. There are 4,000 tents in a Toronto warehouse still awaiting consignment and CIDA will provide with shipping information on those as soon as IDRF, the NGO arranging the donation, has confirmed the details. We are told that IDRF is working to finalize commercial carrier transport for the remaining tents, with technical support provided by the Canadian Red Cross. Visit Canada's Classified Web Site at http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/wha/ottawa WILKINS