Mr. Speaker, recently the Hiran region of Somalia was devastated by torrential rain and subsequent flooding. The Shabelle River is overspilling its banks and over 70,000 people have been displaced. The death toll, which today stands at nearly 200, will continue to rise.
The Somali government has warned of an imminent humanitarian disaster if aid agencies do not rapidly deliver food and other essential items to the region. Many of the roads which will allow for the delivery of said aid are becoming increasingly inaccessible.
In York--South Weston and throughout the greater Toronto area thousands of Canadians of Somali origin are worried and doing all they can to help their loved ones.
I am confident that all members of the House will join with me in urging the government, through the capable offices of CIDA and the Minister of International Cooperation, to do all we can to supply Somalia with the malaria tents, water purification systems, cholera medication and food products it so desperately needs.
Somalia needs Canada's help and we must act now.