Sometimes it feels like we Americans do all the "heavy lifting" for the rest of the world. It turns out that our Canadian neighbors to the north have stepped up to the plate, although little has been reported of their offers to help. Here's an article in the Sun News out of Ottawa that you might find
interesting:
Thumb's up to the Canadians!
OTTAWA -- Canada has offered to supply the U.S. with troops, military engineers and water purification expertise to assist in relief efforts in devastated areas hit by Hurricane Katrina.
Gen. Rick Hillier spoke to his U.S. counterpart Gen. Richard B. Myers late yesterday and made the offer, confirmed Steve Jurgutis, spokesman for Defence Minister Bill Graham. America's health and human services department also contacted the Canadian Public Health Agency yesterday and asked for an inventory of medical supplies and personnel that could be provided.
But Canada has yet to receive a request for assistance, Deputy Prime Minister Anne McLellan said.
"There may very well be things that they will need, whether in the short term or as the days go ahead. For example, clean water is at a premium now," she said.
"We need to work closely with the United States so that we understand what they need the most, at the right time."
Prime Minister Paul Martin vowed Canada will provide any emergency help our U.S. neighbours need. "During this most difficult time, Canada stands with you, and we are ready to provide whatever support you may require in the days, weeks and months ahead," he said.
"We are sending some of our most highly trained disaster response volunteers," said Red Cross spokesman Suzanne Charest. "They will be dealing with people who are grieving, who have faced an extraordinary amount of loss, so they have to be trained to deal with this sort of thing."
Cash donations can be made by calling 1-800-418-1111.
http://cnews.canoe.ca/CNEWS/Canada/2005/09/01/1197592-sun.html
interesting:
Thumb's up to the Canadians!
OTTAWA -- Canada has offered to supply the U.S. with troops, military engineers and water purification expertise to assist in relief efforts in devastated areas hit by Hurricane Katrina.
Gen. Rick Hillier spoke to his U.S. counterpart Gen. Richard B. Myers late yesterday and made the offer, confirmed Steve Jurgutis, spokesman for Defence Minister Bill Graham. America's health and human services department also contacted the Canadian Public Health Agency yesterday and asked for an inventory of medical supplies and personnel that could be provided.
But Canada has yet to receive a request for assistance, Deputy Prime Minister Anne McLellan said.
"There may very well be things that they will need, whether in the short term or as the days go ahead. For example, clean water is at a premium now," she said.
"We need to work closely with the United States so that we understand what they need the most, at the right time."
Prime Minister Paul Martin vowed Canada will provide any emergency help our U.S. neighbours need. "During this most difficult time, Canada stands with you, and we are ready to provide whatever support you may require in the days, weeks and months ahead," he said.
"We are sending some of our most highly trained disaster response volunteers," said Red Cross spokesman Suzanne Charest. "They will be dealing with people who are grieving, who have faced an extraordinary amount of loss, so they have to be trained to deal with this sort of thing."
Cash donations can be made by calling 1-800-418-1111.
http://cnews.canoe.ca/CNEWS/Canada/2005/09/01/1197592-sun.html
