THE VANCOUVER SUN
Canadians have two more days for their donations to the East Africa Drought Relief Fund to be matched by the Canadian government.
Friday, Sept. 16 is the last day the Canadian government will duplicate each dollar donated by Canadians in the battle against the humanitarian crisis that has affected millions of people across Kenya, Somalia, Ethiopia and Djibouti.
On Wednesday, Bev Oda, the minister of the Canadian International Development Agency, reported that Canadians have unofficially donated nearly $36 million since the fund began on July 6.
"That's what we're hearing from our charity partners," said CIDA spokesman, Justin Broekema.
The official tally won't come out until after the deadline, he said.
A drought like this hasn't been experienced in Africa in decades, said Bas Brusche, a spokesman with the Canadian Red Cross, in B.C.
At least 13.3 million people, including children, could die from malnutrition, disease and violence because of an extreme lack of water in the region, he said.
Canadians have already donated $9 million to the Red Cross alone, since the matching period began, Brusche said.
Most of those funds will be matched by the federal government, he said, explaining that a portion are corporate donations, which don't qualify.
The government is only matching donations from individuals, and those that don't exceed $100,000 per person, he said.
"The response in B.C. has been good," Brusche said.
It's important to remember, he added, that "the crisis is far from over. Our work continues."
Brusche said the Canadian Red Cross is "very appreciative" to the Canadian government for its support. The match creates a noticeable boost to donations, he added.
It's obvious, he said. "It does encourage people to donate. It packs more of a punch."
CIDA won't be extending the deadline, Broekema said.
"We encourage Canadians to continue supporting the people of East Africa by donating to a charity of their choice even after the East Africa Famine Relief Fund deadline of September 16," he said.
"Canada was one of the first nations to respond," Broekema added.
People in Vancouver and B.C. who still want to donate, but are unsure of who to give money to, should call their preferred charities to find out if they're registered for the fund, he said.
To qualify for the government's match, a charity must be registered in Canada and must be responding, specifically, to the crisis in Africa, he said.
Other charitable organizations, which won't be responding in Africa, like church groups, can channel their funds into other charities who will dispense that money on the ground, he said.
"B.C. can make a big difference," Brusche said.
He said those who want to beat the deadline can make a donation on the Red Cross website at www.redcross.ca, or call 1-800-418-1111. Donors can also make an automatic $5 donation to the Canadian Red Cross by texting "Africa" to 30333.
Major banks around Vancouver and throughout the province are also accepting donations on behalf of the organization, Brusche said.
eduggan@vancouversun.com
A Somali woman attends to her malnourished son at a hospital in Somalia's capital, Mogadishu, in August 16.
Photograph by: Ismail Taxta, Reuters
Canadians have two more days for their donations to the East Africa Drought Relief Fund to be matched by the Canadian government.
Friday, Sept. 16 is the last day the Canadian government will duplicate each dollar donated by Canadians in the battle against the humanitarian crisis that has affected millions of people across Kenya, Somalia, Ethiopia and Djibouti.
On Wednesday, Bev Oda, the minister of the Canadian International Development Agency, reported that Canadians have unofficially donated nearly $36 million since the fund began on July 6.
"That's what we're hearing from our charity partners," said CIDA spokesman, Justin Broekema.
The official tally won't come out until after the deadline, he said.
A drought like this hasn't been experienced in Africa in decades, said Bas Brusche, a spokesman with the Canadian Red Cross, in B.C.
At least 13.3 million people, including children, could die from malnutrition, disease and violence because of an extreme lack of water in the region, he said.
Canadians have already donated $9 million to the Red Cross alone, since the matching period began, Brusche said.
Most of those funds will be matched by the federal government, he said, explaining that a portion are corporate donations, which don't qualify.
The government is only matching donations from individuals, and those that don't exceed $100,000 per person, he said.
"The response in B.C. has been good," Brusche said.
It's important to remember, he added, that "the crisis is far from over. Our work continues."
Brusche said the Canadian Red Cross is "very appreciative" to the Canadian government for its support. The match creates a noticeable boost to donations, he added.
It's obvious, he said. "It does encourage people to donate. It packs more of a punch."
CIDA won't be extending the deadline, Broekema said.
"We encourage Canadians to continue supporting the people of East Africa by donating to a charity of their choice even after the East Africa Famine Relief Fund deadline of September 16," he said.
"Canada was one of the first nations to respond," Broekema added.
People in Vancouver and B.C. who still want to donate, but are unsure of who to give money to, should call their preferred charities to find out if they're registered for the fund, he said.
To qualify for the government's match, a charity must be registered in Canada and must be responding, specifically, to the crisis in Africa, he said.
Other charitable organizations, which won't be responding in Africa, like church groups, can channel their funds into other charities who will dispense that money on the ground, he said.
"B.C. can make a big difference," Brusche said.
He said those who want to beat the deadline can make a donation on the Red Cross website at www.redcross.ca, or call 1-800-418-1111. Donors can also make an automatic $5 donation to the Canadian Red Cross by texting "Africa" to 30333.
Major banks around Vancouver and throughout the province are also accepting donations on behalf of the organization, Brusche said.
eduggan@vancouversun.com
© Copyright (c) The Vancouver Sun
No comments:
Post a Comment