Canada announces assistance

Canada has announced that it will contribute C $40 million (US $26.7 million) towards emergency assistance for Ethiopia. This is in addition to $6.6 million worth of food aid announced in October 2002, according a Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) press release, issued on Thursday. The announcement was made by Canadian International Cooperation Minister Susan Whelan who said: "Today's announcement demonstrates Canada's leadership in responding to the needs of Africans and our unwavering commitment to assisting Africans who are victims of famine and other disasters." The bulk of the money will be channelled through CIDA and earmarked "for food and nutritional support with partners such as the World Food Programme, the Canadian Foodgrains Bank, and nongovernmental organisations". "Although today's aid package is for emergency response, Canada continues to work with its partners to address the long-term causes of drought and famine in Ethiopia," Whelan said. "Longer-term development is key in preventing increasing dependency and destitution in Ethiopia," she added. "Canada is making a positive difference in the lives of people in Africa, particularly the most vulnerable." Whelan will visit Ethiopia from 18 to 20 January to attend the third Big Table meeting organised by the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa. This is a high-level forum to discuss critical development themes of concern to Africa.