The Honourable Tony Clement, Minister of Health, today announced $150,000 in funding for a project from the World Health Organization titled Seniors in Emergencies: Engaging in Humanitarian Action. The funding will support international efforts to champion the cause of older people whose specific needs and potential contributions are neglected in humanitarian crises. 

In the coming years, as the proportion of the world's older population grows, the challenge of an aging population will become increasingly important to policy makers, academics, emergency managers and health care providers. 

“Seniors should be prepared, protected and safe in international emergency situations, and Canada's New Government is proud to support the World Health Organization in a project that will study how best this can be done,” said Minister Clement. “For seniors today and in the future, it is important to implement policies, programs and services that can truly help seniors in often devastating situations.”

This funding builds on the Public Health Agency of Canada's contribution of $500,000 to seniors' health projects in January 2006, and helps further support international readiness in meeting the needs of seniors in emergency situations.

"The safety and security of Canadians is the utmost priority for Canada's New Government," said the Honourable Stockwell Day, Minister of Public Safety. "This funding will allow us to continue working with our partners and ensure that extra care is taken when it comes to preparing our seniors for emergency situations," he added.

"The funding will support international capacity to champion the cause of older persons whose specific needs and potential contributions are neglected in humanitarian crises," said the Secretary of State (Seniors) and Leader of the Government in the Senate, the Honourable Marjorie LeBreton. "Supporting international efforts to help seniors in emergency situations will also reinforce and strengthen Canada's own capacity in this field."

Funding for this latest project will also be used to edit and disseminate a World Health Organization (WHO) report on gaps and priority needs of older people in emergencies. 

This announcement comes as Minister Clement welcomes over 100 leading international experts to the Winnipeg International Workshop on Seniors and Emergency Preparedness. The goal of the workshop is to achieve a common understanding not only of the impacts of disasters on seniors, but also of seniors' resiliency and contributions to building safer and healthier communities. 

“We are most grateful to the Canadian Government in enabling the World Health Organization to integrate older persons' needs and contributions in the UN-led international humanitarian action,” said Dr. Alexandre Kalache, Coordinator, Aging and Lifecourse Program, WHO. “Once again Canada has demonstrated its world leadership in advancing a society for all ages.”

The Winnipeg International Workshop on Seniors and Emergency Preparedness runs from February 7th to the 9th, 2007. The Public Health Agency of Canada and the Government of Manitoba, in collaboration with the WHO, are sponsoring the Winnipeg International Workshop. A Public Forum will be held on Wednesday afternoon, February 7th at the Winnipeg Art Gallery, 300 Memorial Blvd, Winnipeg.