Mr. Speaker, as Minister for International Cooperation I want to give the House an update on the measures taken by Canada through the Canadian International Development Agency to provide humanitarian assistance to the desperate people fleeing Kosovo.
Two weeks ago on March 30 we approved $10 million in humanitarian assistance for Kosovar refugees. We wasted no time to put it to work. Within 24 hours a $2.5 million cash contribution was on its way to the UNHCR. Three days after the announcement the first shipment of relief supplies left Canada, responding to requests by the UNHCR for blankets so that some refugees would at least be safe from the cold.
Last week on April 7 I approved $5 million in food aid. This $5 million will cover both the purchase of Canadian and other food supplies and the cost of shipping them in and around the region on national defence and commercial flights. In a few days a shipment of Canadian fish will be sent to the area. This is part of our response to requests by the World Food Programme. We are making the most of their expertise in delivering appropriate relief to refugees in times of crisis.
These announcements were not the first demonstration of Canada's support to the people of the region. Just over $3 million had been provided in the past year for humanitarian assistance. Another $3.85 million was provided for the Kosovo verification mission carried out by the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe. Some members of the verification mission are now supporting humanitarian efforts. For example, civilian observers are helping to register refugees in the camps.
To date we have committed $22 million to the crisis in Kosovo. We continue to monitor the situation to see how we can further respond to the current crisis and how we can contribute to reconstruction and peacebuilding efforts in the future.
I was remiss when I began my remarks. I meant to say that I will be splitting my time with one of my colleagues.
As we all know, the refugees' situation has reached tragic proportions. We are all horrified by the images we see on television and in the papers. By the tired and desparate faces tortured by hunger and by the cold. By the accounts of executions and torture. And we think of the children who have witnessed scenes of unbearable violence.
We are there to help with their immediate needs, but we do not forget that they will need more services—such as psychological counselling—to get over this ordeal in the long run. We are already in touch with UNICEF, whose work we have supported for the children of Bosnia.
Faced with a humanitarian disaster of such magnitude, Canada is stepping in to give some hope to these people, who have been taken away from their home, their job, their family and their whole life. In all this show of solidarity, let us not forget the compassion shown by the people of neighbouring countries, those who are welcoming so many refugees into their homes no matter what their situation is.
No one would have thought, not so long ago, that they would have been drawn into such an abberation. These refugees can count on our compassion and our humanitarian assistance. As we respond to the alarming situation of the thousands streaming across the borders, let us not forget those who have not made it across, those who are still in Kosovo and in Serbia.
I am particularly concerned by the information we are getting about their situation. It is impossible to obtain accurate information, and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has not yet gained access.
I call on all those involved directly or indirectly to help the International Red Cross provide assistance to affected communities.
Right now, information is sketchy and sometimes contradictory. We are hearing about thousands of people trapped in the mountains. We are also hearing about Serbs fleeing Kosovo and going into Serbia and Montenegro. We are even hearing about massacres, although we are unable to verify this. Part of the funds I announced will serve to answer the appeal by the International Red Cross.
To date, Canada has provided $22 million. We are obviously following developments closely and are prepared to do more. Eventually, we will also contribute to peacebuilding and reconstruction efforts in the region.
And let us not forget the generosity shown by Canadians. Calls are pouring in from Canadians responding to requests to help these refugees going through an unbearable ordeal. I want to extend my warmest thanks to them, here, today.
We are proud to do our part in what must be an international effort. Canada is one player. Let me point out that our approach is true to our commitment to working not only one on one in bilateral settings, but also as a team player in multilateral settings.
In this case we are making sure that our contribution has the maximum impact by working closely with the people and organizations already in the field. These organizations, such as the UNHCR and the World Food Programme, are closest to the needs of the refugees. They have been monitoring the situation and providing assistance in difficult circumstances; not just in the last few weeks, but for months, from the onset of Milosevic's ethnic cleansing campaign. These organizations have our full support and admiration for the work they have done in appalling conditions.
Team work is also crucial within Canada. Immediately after announcing our humanitarian assistance package I met with Canadian NGOs to ensure that Canada's efforts made the best possible use of their readiness and experience.
We are fortunate to count on such partners as the Canadian Red Cross, CARE Canada, World Vision, CECI and many other Canadian relief organizations. They are coming forward as we speak with proposals to provide humanitarian assistance in their area of expertise. We are assessing these proposals and will soon announce how they will complement ongoing efforts.
We will continue to adapt our assistance to the situation. Members can be certain that Canada, through CIDA, will still be there when the time comes to help the region pick up the pieces and build the foundation for a lasting peace. Even now we are in contact with other donor countries and multilateral organizations. Let us not forget that when the military intervention has concluded, when the security situation is stabilized, our work with the international community will continue.
As we work to rebuild peace and stability in the region the role of the international criminal tribunal for the former Yugoslavia will be of critical importance. Canada has been a lead supporter of the tribunal. To date CIDA has provided over $2 million to this tribunal. We are committed to ensuring that the tribunal will be fully effective in the aftermath of the Kosovo crisis.
We were there with humanitarian assistance and observers before. We are responding to the basic needs of refugees now. We stand ready to consider reconstruction and peacebuilding in the future.