On October 4, 2016, Hurricane Matthew tore through Haiti, Jamaica, Cuba and the Dominican Republic. Over 1.24 million people are estimated to have been affected.

The Honourable Stéphane Dion, Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Honourable Marie-Claude Bibeau, Minister of International Development and La Francophonie, and the Honourable Harjit Sajjan, Minister of National Defence, have announced that the Government of Canada has deployed the Canadian Disaster Assessment Team (CDAT) to Haiti and set aside up to $3 million as an initial humanitarian response for those in Haiti and other countries in the region affected by Hurricane Matthew.

The CDAT will rapidly assess the situation, which is a critical step in ensuring that a Canadian response to the hurricane is coordinated, evidence-based and tailored to the needs on the ground. Canada is also supporting the United Nations Disaster Assessment and Coordination unit teams in Jamaica and Haiti, who are still assessing the situation and assisting local authorities.

Canada’s humanitarian assistance will go toward immediate, life-saving needs, such as water and sanitation, food, shelter and basic health services, and will be delivered through experienced humanitarian partners.

Canada contributes financially to UN agencies, the Red Cross Movement and non-governmental organizations to quickly get humanitarian aid to where it is needed.

"Canada is saddened by the loss of lives due to Hurricane Matthew in Haiti. We are committed to supporting the affected Haitian people and will support them during these trying times." - Stéphane Dion, Minister of Foreign Affairs

Marie-Claude Bibeau, Minister of International Development and La Francophonie explained that Canada works with "experienced humanitarian partners, including Canadian and international NGOs, the Red Cross Movement and UN agencies on the ground, and our teams have been working around the clock to assess the situation. Our government is ready to provide further assistance needed to reach the most vulnerable, including, especially, women and children."

"The terrible destruction and loss of life in Haiti left by Hurricane Matthew is deeply concerning. The Canadian Disaster Assessment Team deployed quickly via Canadian Armed Forces aircraft to assess the damage. As this situation evolves, the Canadian Armed Forces stand ready to support Government of Canada efforts," said Harjit Sajjan, Minister of National Defence.

Haiti was the hardest-hit country and requires attention in at least 11 communities around the Grand’Anse, Nippes and Sud areas, where there has been coastal flooding.

The role of the CDAT is to meet with local and international representatives to assess the needs on the ground and to identify potential follow-up response options for the Government of Canada.

The CDAT comprises three experts from Global Affairs Canada and three officers from the Canadian Armed Forces, including the Disaster Assistance Response Team Commander.