Friends
of Mozambique Fundraiser
Speaking Notes For Hon. David Kilgour, Secretary
of State (Latin America and Africa)
At the Friends of Mozambique Fundraiser
Parliament Hill, 253 D Centre Block, Ottawa
March 20, 2000
On behalf
of Canadian Government I would like to express
solidarity with the people of Mozambique.
What has happened can only be described
as a tragedy in a country which has struggled
to put together a working democracy and
expanding economy after its long civil war.
Mozambique
has been one of the major success stories
in Africa:
Despite being
one of the poorest countries in the world,
Mozambique has had one of the fastest growing
economies with annual growth of more than
10% for 3 years.
After massive donor investment Mozambique
had rebuilt schools and hospitals - much
of which is now lost in what is the worst
flooding in 52 years.
"More damage has been done by floods
than in 16 years of civil war."
Last week
I had the opportunity to accompany 2 Canadian
airbuses carrying relief supplies to Maputo
and saw some of the flood damage firsthand
In some parts
of the capital it was as though an earthquake
had hit -- massive soil erosion and roads
fallen away.
But real devastation was further North in
places like Xai-Xai -- much of which is
still under water. It could take 6 months
before water there recedes -- 50,000 residents
of Xai-Xai are now destitute.
Canadian airbuses brought much needed supplies
for the flood victims:
blankets, plastic sheeting, chlorine tablets,
soap, water pumps, shovels and the like,
which we helped to unload.
It was a proud day to be a Canadian - Mozambicans
were extremely grateful. I briefly met with
Foreign Minister Simao who wanted me to
convey his sincere thanks for everything
Canada is doing. I also met with international
NGOs such as the World Food Program, Red
Cross, Care, UNDP and Canadian NGOs working
on the ground.
CIDA has
announced a total of $12.5 million in assistance
to Mozambique -- one of the most substantial
flood relief contributions.
Most of this money is to assist with reconstruction
efforts and is being channelled through
the World Food Program, UNICEF, the Red
Cross and Canadian NGOs
As the money raised here tonight will go
to UNICEF’s work on the ground, I would
like to commend UNICEF for the efforts it
is undertaking in the provision of food,
safe drinking water, shelter and health
care. This, in addition to identifying and
caring for unaccompanied children.
Currently
329,000 people are displaced -- many residing
in 97 camps
As the World Food Program Rep on the ground
told us, the provision of food is critical
given the destruction of 27% of Mozambique’s
agricultural production. Acute malnutrition
has been detected among many young children.
An appeal has been made for cash contributions
so that food can be purchased locally.
Health care is also desperately needed given
the looming public health crisis - it is
essential to contain and treat malaria and
cholera before it reaches epidemic proportions.
Vast stretches of new swampland are now
a breeding ground for malarial mosquitoes,
and the torrents of filthy water can spread
cholera. In some places malaria is at 6
times the normal rate. Many people are suffering
from hunger and exhaustion after clinging
to trees and bridges, which lowers their
resistance to disease.
Mozambique’s President Chissano has
said that $250 million will be required
to reconstruct the country. Experts say
that Infrastructure development has been
set back by 15 years.
A major donor
conference will be held at the end of April
to raise funds
Mozambique is hoping for a full cancellation
of its $8.3 billion debt
The Paris Club of creditor nations has agreed
to defer all of Mozambique’s debt servicing
payments until a global accord cancelling
the country’s debt is approved. This
relieves the country of $15 million/week
which can be used for development.
Canada has
no bilateral debt with Mozambique, and Canada
gave $8 million to the government of Mozambique
to assist them in meeting the World Bank
HIPC criteria for the speedy forgiveness
of bilateral debt. We would like to encourage
creditor nations to forgive all of Mozambique’s
debt as soon as possible.
Another issue
of great concern is the potential movement
of Landmines which will hamper reconstruction
and endanger people’s lives.
Mozambique
is one of the world’s most heavily
mined countries, with 1-2 million landmines
on its territory.
It is difficult to tell the extent to which
existing landmines will be affected - many
are heavily buried. It is the mines near
bridge abutments and other infrastructure
which will likely be dislodged.
Canada will fund the first mine action assessment
mission to Mozambique since the floods began,
and is contributing $500,000 to the mission,
mine awareness program, and mine clearance.
We have all seen the horrific footage on
television which has helped to make the
crisis in Mozambique more real. The fact
that so many of you have come here tonight
shows how deeply Canadians care about Africa
and are prepared to help our fellow brothers
and sisters in a time of need.
Thank you
from the bottom of my heart for all the
generosity you have shown, and I will end
by invoking a Swahili proverb which says:
"Giving
is a matter of the heart, not a matter of
wealth."
Thank you.
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