How did the Canadian government help victims of Cyclone Nargis?
“A total of CAN$14 million was allocated for victims of the cyclone. Most of this went to international organizations such as the Red Cross. The Canadian government also hatched a matching fund scheme where it matched any donation given to a reputable NGO. We also had a Disaster Assistance Relief Team (DART) ready to go in. This was 200 Canadian soldiers, trained specifically to give assistance in the immediate aftermath of a disaster, by doing things like providing clean water and establishing communications. The advance team of 8 was in Bangkok, but couldn’t get visas to go in. By the way, we also have an ongoing program of assistance for the Burmese refugees living in the border camps near Mae Sot.” Is there hope for Burma? “I’m a great believer that for a society to work and prosper it must have strong and capable institutions. And that every country should protect individual and human rights. To do that, you have to have the rule of law; you must have a judicial system that functi
