Mr. Chair, first we provided $30,000 to the Red Cross in terms of a mitigation process before the typhoon had its landfall. After that, we announced $5 million for addressing urgent needs. Then we announced the matching relief fund, so each dollar given by Canadians will be matched with dollars coming from the government.
That being said, the Prime Minister announced $15 million, and this is part of the matching fund. The idea of announcing it now is to ensure that the organizations on the ground have access to the money because they have to work now. We know now that Canadians gave almost $20 million, so more dollars will have to be matched. This morning, I announced in Mississauga $5 million in terms of stockpiling to ensure we provide medical tools, blankets, tents and tarps, and now the plane is about to leave.
What we have to bear in mind very clearly is that we will continue to assess the situation very closely, and we will address the needs. We are all open to continuing to help our Filipino friends. We will be there to help.