I think maybe the US finally accepted our request for aid – or some of it anyways. We wont be there tomorrow, but we’ll be there soon
Three Canadian warships and a coast guard vessel will be sent to Louisiana on Tuesday with relief supplies for the U.S. Gulf Coast. The ships, which will also carry 1,000 personnel, are expected to arrive in the Gulf of Mexico three to four days after they leave Halifax.
Defence Minister Bill Graham made the announcement Friday from Moscow, Russia.
Organizers of the mission, dubbed Operation Union, were still compiling a list of what’s needed on Friday. They expect to provide humanitarian aid, along with divers, and engineering expertise for reconstruction.
Three Sea King helicopters will also be sent to ferry personnel into the devastated areas.
In addition, the DART (Diaster Assistance Relief Team) has been put on 48 hrs notice to leave for the US once (if) the US makes a request for it. What can DART do?:
The engineer troop produces bulk and bagged water from its Canadian-built Reverse Osmosis Water Purification Unit with an approximate 100,000-litres-a-day production capacity. The troop provides water for the medical aid station and for distribution to victims of the disaster. Once the DART’s austere camp is established, the engineering troop can also undertake other basic construction and engineer tasks in support of the host nation and humanitarian aid agencies, as required.
The medical platoon staffs a medical aid station of approximately 45 personnel. This tented facility is capable of providing care for 200 to 250 outpatients and 30 inpatients daily, depending on the severity of injuries. There are also laboratory, pharmacy, rehydration, obstetrics, and preventive medicine sections.
I really think that would be the best thing the US could ask Canada to send.. but the fact we’ve been allowed to send this initial help is a start.
Update [2005-9-2 19:13:18 by tribe34]: More details on some more Canadian aid that is being offered:
– The provincial government of Nova Scotia made an instant donation of 100 000$ to the Canadian Red Cross
– The provincial governent of Prince Edward Island offered to help co-ordinate an effort to provide shelter and support for the many people displaced by Katrina
– Air Canada said today it had dispatched an Airbus passenger jet from Toronto to New Orleans with a cargo of bottled water and relief supplies. As well, the airline said it would operate shuttle flights over the next several days to help in the evacuation of about 25,000 people from New Orleans to Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas.