Philippines and Indonesia: Canadians on the ground

05/10/2009

CANADIAN AID WORKERS ON THE GROUND – REACHING INTO MOST REMOTE AFFECTED AREAS

Canadian aid workers are on the ground in the typhoon-ravaged Philippines, and in Indonesia are heading into the most remote and hard-to-reach earthquake-devastated regions.

As part of the HUMANITARIAN COALITION, which brings together four top Canadian agencies, Colleen Malone, an aid worker with Save the Children Canada, is on the ground in the Philippines, which has endured two typhoons in the space of one week.  She has information on the current conditions facing the local population including those in evacuation camps.

Dr. Phil Tanner, with CARE Canada, has arrived in the city of Padang on the Indonesian island of West Sumatra. He and the CARE emergency response teams are heading into the remote areas of the District of Pariaman, which suffered some of the worst damage from the earthquake. Because of the difficulty in reaching many parts of Pariaman, these areas have yet to receive emergency relief.

Across the region, the emergency response has so far included the delivery of safe drinking water, food, shelter materials and hygiene kits.

The HUMANITARIAN COALITION, comprised of CARE Canada, Oxfam Canada, Oxfam-Québec and Save the Children Canada, is raising funds for the hundreds of thousands of people affected by these events. Through the coordination of these top agencies, Canadian donations will be allocated where they will be most effective.

With a combined presence in 120 countries, joint efforts by the members of the HUMANITARIAN COALITION provide an effective response to emergencies. The campaign has one call centre, one phone number and a joint website for online donations.

To arrange interviews with Colleen Malone, please contact

Elysia Nisan
Save the Children Canada
Mobile: 905-464-6648

For Dr. Phil Tanner, please contact:

Kieran Green
CARE Canada
Mobile: 613-799-7562

For more information:

Karen Palmer, Oxfam Canada, 613-240-3047