Relief Organizations Join Forces

05/10/2005

Relief Organizations Join Forces to Create Canada's First Partnership for Responding to Humanitarian Crisis CARE Canada, Oxfam Canada, Oxfam-Québec and Save the Children Canada Launch Joint Earthquake Appeal Campaign in Response to South Asia Disaster

10/13/2005 12:11:55 PM TORONTO, Oct. 13 - Leading veteran relief agencies CARE Canada, Oxfam Canada, Oxfam-Québec and Save the Children Canada today announced that they have taken a first step in forming a new, strategic and long-term partnership to respond to humanitarian crisis - a first of its kind in Canada. The partnership's first joint relief campaign called the 'Joint Earthquake Appeal' (http://www.jointearthquakeappeal.ca) was launched today to consolidate the Canadian relief effort in response to the earthquake in South Asia. "In times of crisis, Canadians always prove their generosity. But often people are not sure which organization to give to," said Anthony Scoggins, Acting Executive Director, Oxfam Canada. "Now with a single phone call Canadians can support the efforts of four agencies with decades of experience on the ground." "In the aftermath of the Asian tsunami, we recognized the opportunity for increased collaboration and the long-term benefits of a united approach to providing humanitarian relief," said Rita Karakas, Chief Executive Officer of Save the Children Canada.

"When earthquakes and other natural disasters strike, children are always among the most vulnerable. By streamlining resources, we will ensure that the contributions of Canadians are more effective than ever." "CARE, Oxfam and Save the Children have a long history of working together in the field to help people in need, and victims of disaster," said John Watson, President and CEO, CARE Canada. "That is the goal of this joint appeal - to unite our efforts here in Canada so we can help as many survivors as possible, as quickly as possible." Canadians are well known around the globe for their generosity in response to humanitarian crisis and natural disasters, such as the Asian tsunami. Earlier this week, Prime Minister Paul Martin announced that the Government of Canada has established a fund to match all public donations earmarked for earthquake relief to registered Canadian charities, underscoring Canada's commitment of support. Similar to the matching funds program that was put into place by the Canadian government in support of the victims of the Asian tsunami last year, each of the organizations in the partnership are eligible and qualified to receive matching funds.

Joint Earthquake Appeal Campaign Bringing together resources from each participating organization, the theme of the Joint Earthquake Appeal Campaign is 'We're In It Together'. The campaign has one call centre, one phone number and a joint website http://www.jointearthquakeappeal.ca for online donations. The participating organizations, CARE Canada, Oxfam Canada, Oxfam-Québec and Save the Children Canada, will share donations equally. Public service announcements and web communications are also being coordinated to represent a single and unified voice. "We are excited about this new spirit of collaboration and partnership," said Pierre Véronneau, Executive Director, Oxfam-Québec. "Our campaign through the Joint Earthquake Appeal gives Canadians an opportunity to have one informed place to give, when responding to the earthquake in South Asia." The forming of the partnership and joint appeal announced today is being recognized beyond the NGO community. "Coordination and efficiency are key to delivering effective aid in emergencies," said The Hon. Aileen Carroll, Minister of International Cooperation. "I applaud this initiative as a step forward in both regards by the agencies involved." Donations Donations to the Joint Earthquake Appeal Campaign can be made by cash, cheque and major credit card up until 11:59 pm on November 30, 2006: Telephone: 1-800-667-5435 Online Donations: http://www.jointearthquakeappeal.ca Donations by Mail: Joint Earthquake Appeal, PO Box 7023,  Ottawa, ON, K1L 5A0 About CARE Canada CARE Canada is an independent and operational member of CARE International, one of the world's largest relief and development organizations. CARE operates in more than 70 countries in Africa, Asia, Latin America, the Middle East and Eastern Europe, providing humanitarian relief and development assistance and serving individuals and families in the poorest communities. CARE has worked in South Asia for decades and has experienced professional emergency teams in all three affected countries. CARE's initial relief efforts are currently addressing the basics of shelter, water and food. With Kashmir's severe winter just weeks away in Pakistan and India, winter tents, blankets and warm clothing are immediate priorities, as are water purification kits and water storage containers, hygiene kits, medicine and food. About Oxfam Canada Founded in 1963, Oxfam Canada is a non-profit, international development and humanitarian relief agency.

Oxfam Canada supports community development programs in ten countries in Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean, and is a member of Oxfam International, the alliance of 12 agencies operating in over 100 countries in Africa, Latin America and Asia. In times of war and natural disaster, Oxfam Canada provides emergency assistance via Oxfam International and local partner organizations. Oxfam has developed world-class expertise in the provision of emergency water and sanitation. Oxfam has worked in the affected regions of Pakistan and Kashmir for over thirty years. Thanks to its longstanding local partnerships, Oxfam began providing relief within hours of the quake. About Oxfam-Québec Oxfam-Québec is a non-profit, secular, non partisan and non governmental organisation (NGO). An important player in development support since 1973, Oxfam-Québec bases its actions on partnership and on an integrated approach to development. It supports sustainable development in more than 20 countries where, by working in cooperation with local partners, Oxfam-Québec promotes local development as well as humanitarian actions in response to natural disaster and conflict situations. Oxfam International, from whom Oxfam-Québec is a co-founder member, has projects in more than 100 countries and has built itself a world reputation for its fight against poverty, its defence of human rights and its rapid and effective responses in crisis situations. About Save the Children Canada Save the Children Canada is the leading child-rights organization: working for over 85 years to improve the quality of children's lives through the realization of their rights.

The organization delivers immediate and lasting improvements to children's lives worldwide. Save the Children Canada is a member of the International Save the Children Alliance. With Save the Children Members organizations in 27 countries and operating programs in over 110 countries, the Alliance is the world's largest global movement for children.