Canada boosts Darfur aid

Canada boosts Darfur aid

GLORIA GALLOWAY

Globe and Mail Update

August 2, 2007 at 8:32 AM EDT

CHARLOTTETOWN — Canada has increased the amount of aid it will send to the warn-torn Darfur region of Sudan, an announcement that comes on the heels of a UN decision to send 26,000 peacekeepers to help end the violence.

Foreign Affairs Minister Peter MacKay announced Thursday morning that the Canadian government will donate an additional $48-million to buy food and to pay for the planes and helicopters needed to transport it toremote villages.

That will bring Canada's aid contribution to Darfur to $441-million since 2004.

”This puts us in the range of being among the top four donors to that country, and it is in keeping with Canada's commitment, (it's)a recognition of the need for assistance at this time,” said Mr. MacKay who is in Charlottetown for the Conservative summer caucus retreat.