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Ontario Government Evaluating Rebuilding Efforts In Pakistan

    Minister Colle To Get First-Hand Look At Earthquake Damage

    TORONTO, Jan. 6 /CNW/ - Ontario Citizenship and Immigration Minister Mike Colle announced today he will visit the earthquake-affected region next week to show the Ontario government's support for earthquake victims.

    "The Ontario government has been there from the beginning. During the

many prayer services and fundraising events I attended after the earthquake, community groups urged me to go to the region. We need to let the victims know they have not been forgotten, and to remind people the needs and challenges are still great," Colle said.

    The Ontario government responded immediately after the earthquake on October 8, 2005, with a $1 million donation on behalf of the people of Ontario to the International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies for relief in the area. Colle also assembled an earthquake response team that included Ontario's Commissioner of Emergency Management, Julian Fantino.

    Commissioner Fantino will accompany Colle to Pakistan. "From an emergency management perspective, we know that natural disasters do not recognize geopolitical boundaries," Fantino said. "There is a huge short-term and long- term relief effort that needs to be undertaken. I think Ontario has a lot to offer and a lot to learn in this type of situation."

    The earthquake has left more than 74,000 people dead, and over three

million others homeless.

    "Winter is creating greater hardship for those who survived this

earthquake. We have to work together to rebuild. On behalf of the people of Pakistan, I'd like to thank the Ontario government, and Minister Colle for their support," said Ghalib Iqbal, the Consul-General to Pakistan.

    "We are heartened the Ontario government is continuing to be involved in the relief efforts in Pakistan to help the survivors," Penny Fancy, Director of the International Development and Relief Foundation (IDRF) said. The IDRF is a humanitarian organization that provides relief aid and development assistance to people in need, around the world.

    "Now more than ever earthquake survivors need hope, and our help. I plan to meet with them and to offer Ontario's continuing support," Colle said. "I'd also like to remind Ontarians to continue to give generously to local relief organizations."

    Colle and Commissioner Fantino will depart for Pakistan on Tuesday,

January 10, 2006.