Accra — The Canadian High Commission in Ghana announced today that the Government of Canada will provide an immediate $CAD 645,000 (GH¢ 610,170) to assist flood victims in Northern Ghana ($145,000 to address humanitarian needs through the International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies and $500,000 through projects supported by a fund managed by the Canadian High Commission in Accra).

Further Canadian assistance will be provided in the region in response to the UN appeal.

The Government of Canada wishes to express its sympathies to those whose lives have been affected by the flooding. Canadian officials are in contact with the Government of Ghana and international agencies to determine what the needs are in the flood affected areas and how Canada may be best placed to assist.

Canada's International Development Agency's program in Ghana has a long term

commitment to northern Ghana. Through projects focussing on good governance, water and food security, it helps to reduce the environmental and social vulnerability of the area's inhabitants to natural disasters.