OTTAWA, 12 October 2005 — Canada has announced a $21-million aid package for earthquake-hit Pakistan.
Foreign Affairs Minister Pierre Pettigrew said here Monday night that Ottawa has upped its aid contribution from initial donation of $300,000 to $20 million.
Meanwhile, provincial government of Ontario announced $1 million aid for the quake victims.
A senior official at Defense Minister Bill Graham’s office said that two Hercules aircraft carrying aid supplies, including 35 tons of blankets, are on their way to Islamabad.
In Toronto, a spokesman for Islamic Circle of North America said ICNA has donated $600,000 to help earthquake victims in Pakistan. He said plans are also under way to send relief goods to Pakistan and other quake-hit areas in Afghanistan and Kashmir.
Several Pakistani organizations across Canada are currently busy raising funds for the help of affected families. Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) has already announced that it will match the funds that will be raised by private organizations.
Toronto Mayor David Miller, meanwhile, has launched an appeal for donations and offered condolences to earthquake victims and their families.
