Filipino-Edmontonians and other Filipino-Canadians are advised to contact Ottawa if they know of Canadian citizens affected by super typhoon Haiyan in the Philippines.
Ottawa announced that friends and relatives can call 1-800-387-3124 or 613-996-8885 (collect calls are accepted) or send an email to sos@international.gc.ca.
Canadians who are currently in the affected areas can avail of emergency consular assistance by contacting the Canadian embassy in Manila at (02) 857-9000 or Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development Canada’s 24/7 Emergency Watch and Response Centre by dialing 1-800-1-110-0226 (toll-free within the Philippines if calling from a landline) or 001-613-996-8885 (collect calls are accepted where available).
“Our thoughts and prayers are with all those affected by this powerful storm and Canada stands ready to support relief efforts and provide humanitarian assistance as required,” announced International Development Minister Christian Paradis.
“We are in close contact with government authorities as well as humanitarian actors on the ground and Canadian field staff in the Philippines providing regular updates directly to my office,” he said in a press statement.
Thousands have already been evacuated, and with the help of Canadian and UN assistance, the local government has taken precautions in order to help deal with the effects of the typhoon, including the stockpiling of food, water, temporary shelter and medicines to mount an effective response.
“Canadian officials in Ottawa and at our embassy in Manila are in close contact with Filipino authorities and will continue to monitor the impact of the typhoon,” said Minister for La Francophonie Lynne Yelich. “Canada stands ready to provide emergency consular assistance as required.”(pinoy edmonton news with report from Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development Canada)
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