Today, Vic Toews, Canada’s Minister of Public Safety and Regional Minister for Manitoba, reminded Manitobans that only two days remain to make an eligible donation to the East Africa Drought Relief Fund, to help alleviate the suffering of more than 13 million people in East Africa.
“Canadians from coast-to-coast-to-coast have been deeply saddened by the extent of suffering we have witnessed as a result of the devastating drought in East Africa,” said Toews. “I would like to thank those who have opened their hearts and wallets to support the East Africa Drought Relief Fund and remind all Manitobans that there are only two days left for their eligible donations to be matched by the Canadian Government.”
Until September 16th, every dollar donated by Canadians to an eligible registered Canadian charity responding to the drought in East Africa, will result in an equivalent amount being provided by the Canadian Government to the East Africa Drought Relief Fund.
To date in 2011, the Harper Government, through the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA), has provided a total of $72.35 million to support humanitarian operations in Djibouti, Ethiopia, Kenya, and Somalia.
The Canadian aid is being administered in cooperation with our experienced partners in the region to ensure it delivers results: providing access to food, safe drinking water, proper sanitation and hygiene, as well as emergency health care, including disease control.
“Manitobans have a reputation for being extremely generous to those in need. I would like to encourage anyone who is able to contribute to the relief efforts in East Africa to do so before September 16,” added Toews.
