Disaster in Haiti

January 28, 2010

Shortly before 5pm on January 12, a massive earthquake with a magnitude measuring 7.3 on the Richter scale rocked Haiti. Infrastructure disappeared into rubble, hospitals crumbled on the spot, over 200,000 Haitians required amputations and over 200,000 Haitians lost their lives. In less than a minute the landscape of the Western Hemisphere’s poorest country was forever changed.

Canada's reputation around the world has always been that of generosity and courage. We knew our friends and family in Haiti needed Canada's help and Canada did not hesitate. The devastating news spread quickly across the globe and behind the scenes back in Canada things were happening fast. Within hours of the quake, the government’s interdepartmental support team was on a Hercules aircraft bound for Port-au-Prince. Lt.-Col. Bruce Ewing, commander of the Disaster Assistance Response Team (DART), was on board. The team was on the ground and working 16 hours after the quake hit.

Simultaneously, Defence Minister Peter MacKay ordered two ships, HMCS Halifax and HMCS Athabaska, readied to leave. Halifax was actually turned around at sea and re-tasked. Along with the DART contingent, the Government has deployed Canadian Forces assets like a Naval Task Force made up of a destroyer and a frigate, a CH-124 Sea King helicopter, six CH-146 Griffon helicopters, a CC-177 Globemaster, CC-130 Hercules airlift support and a field hospital. The hospital, set up in Port-au-Prince, will help the Canadian Red Cross provide health and medical care to Haitians affected by the earthquake. The hospital is equipped with an operating theatre, intensive observation, anesthesia, X-ray, laboratory, maternal-child health, and pharmacy, sterilization, and outpatient clinics.

To date, through continuous Canadian Forces strategic air lifts, almost 900,000 pounds of relief have been delivered to Haiti. When combined with the equipment and the supplies a total cargo set sent to Haiti now stands at over 2.5 million pounds (including medical supplies, logistical supplies, vehicles, communication equipment, water and basic food rations, shelter kits, blankets, hygiene kits, mosquito nets, jerry cans).

Canada has committed to over $135 million for emergency and recovery efforts. The Government of Canada has also announced the Haiti Relief Fund. In recognition of the deep compassion and overwhelming generosity shown by Canadians, the Prime Minister has lifted the original $50 million cap on this matching fund.  Now, the fund will match, dollar for dollar, the donations made by individual Canadians to recognized charitable organizations helping Haitians affected by this disaster. 

Former U.S. President Bill Clinton observed earlier this week that Canadian citizens have donated more per capita through aid organizations than any other nation in the world.  Locally, the bigheartedness of Barrie residents is equally noteworthy. Nearly 300 people attended the Rally for Haiti Concert hosted by the City of Barrie and held at the Southshore Centre last weekend. The show of spirit by Barrie residents and their unwavering commitment to help others in need makes me very proud.

MP Patrick Brown - Barrie

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