Canada’s contribution to OCHA is strengthening the international humanitarian system’s preparedness and response capacity in the region

2014 – Brampton, Ontario – Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development Canada

Today [July 25], on behalf of the Honourable Christian Paradis, Minister of International Development and La Francophonie, Kyle Seeback, Member of Parliament for Brampton West announced new humanitarian assistance funding to support the efforts of the United Nations’ Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) to meet emergency needs in Latin America and the Caribbean Region.

“Countries in Latin America and the Caribbean are highly vulnerable to a range of natural disasters, including droughts, earthquakes, floods, hurricanes, landslides, and volcanic eruptions,” said MP Seeback. “Canada is committed to supporting a strong international humanitarian system. Partners, such as OCHA, are crucial to ensuring that there is a robust capacity to respond to emergencies so that the immediate needs of families, women and children affected by disasters are met quickly and appropriately.”

The new funding announced today is aimed at ensuring that humanitarian action is based on strong evidence, well-defined strategies and clear priorities. It is also directed at helping to improve decision-making, and ensuring standardized needs assessments in all emergency settings. Through Canada’s support, OCHA is working with national and international partners to ensure that humanitarian assistance reaches the right people when they need it most. It is also helping the humanitarian community prepare for the 2014 hurricane season.

“The support of the Canadian government is an important part of these efforts and will help build capacity, reduce risks, and limit the human suffering caused by disasters and emergencies across the region,” said Douglas Reimer, Head of Office at OCHA’s regional office for Latin America and the Caribbean in Panama.

“The Americas is a foreign policy priority for this Government,” said Minister Paradis. “We are addressing pressing challenges for women, children, youth, indigenous populations and other vulnerable groups in the Americas—challenges such as food security, maternal, newborn and child health, child protection, and access to quality education and skills training. We are also helping to provide appropriate, timely and effective responses to natural disasters and conflict situations to save lives and alleviate human suffering.”

MP Seeback made the announcement at a round table discussion held in Brampton with Caribbean stakeholders to discuss the current challenges in Latin America and the Caribbean Region.

Quick Facts

The Government of Canada has invested more than $4.6 billion in international assistance in the Americas since the region was declared a foreign policy priority in 2007. Canadian international development assistance to the region reached nearly $400 million in 2012–2013.

In 2014, Canada confirmed the Caribbean Region as a country/region of focus for the Government of Canada’s international development efforts.

Latin America and the Caribbean are extremely disaster-prone regions. Frequently recurring floods, hurricanes and earthquakes can erode the resilience of affected communities. The incidence of natural disasters in the region is expected to rise, partly due to the changing climate and environmental degradation linked to rapid urbanization.

Despite its growing prosperity, the region has profound inequalities and some countries struggle with widespread poverty, social unrest and conflict.