Nova Scotia to Send Funds to Haiti
Premier Darrell Dexter announced today, Jan. 14, that the province will contribute $100,000 to the Canadian Red Cross to help with the humanitarian mission in Haiti.
"The people of Haiti are in desperate need of the essentials, including food, water and medical supplies. This money will help with those needs," Premier Dexter said.
"I am deeply saddened by the situation in Haiti. Nova Scotia, a province known for its caring, generous people, is doing its part to help people struck by this overwhelming disaster."
The magnitude-7 earthquake hit near the capital city of Port-au-Prince on Jan. 12. The Canadian government is sending helicopters, ships and an emergency response team to help with the rescue effort.
HMCS Halifax has been dispatched as part of the response and is expected to arrive in the region next week.
Staff at the Emergency Management Office in Nova Scotia is in touch daily with the federal government, which is co-ordinating Canada's response. Staff has also contacted the Nova Scotia division of the Red Cross and HRM Fire and Emergency Services in the event that the Heavy Urban Search and Rescue team is needed.
The province is also calling on businesses, unions, and Nova Scotians to pledge support to relief organizations helping the stricken region.
Anyone looking to make donations may contact these established relief organizations, recommended by the Canadian International Development Agency:
- The Canadian Red Cross, 1-800-418-1111
- Canadian Organization for Development and Peace, 1-888-664-3387
- World Vision, 1-800-268-5528
- UNICEF Canada, 1-877-955-3111
- Oxfam-Canada, 1-800-466-9326
- CARE Canada, 1-800-267-5232
- Médecins sans Frontières, 1-800-982-7903