Canada promises aid for Pakistan

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TORONTO, Aug. 14 (UPI) -- The Canadian government promised up to $33 million in aid Saturday for flood-stricken areas in Pakistan.

John Baird, the Conservative leader in the House, said most of the money, $25 million ($24 million U.S), is earmarked for drinking water, food and other emergency needs, Postmedia News reported. That part of the aid package will come from the Canadian International Development Agency.

The Department of Foreign Affairs will supply another $8 million ($7.7 million U.S.) for repair of roads, bridges and communications networks, Baird said.

The monsoon season this year has been the worst in decades, with deaths estimated at 1,600 and between 16 million and 20 million left homeless.

"Canadians of Pakistani origin have spent the past few weeks trying to find relatives, many of whom have been displaced," said Salma Ataullahjan, a native of Pakistan recently a appointed to the Canadian Senate who appeared with Baird at a Toronto park. "Our hearts are with the families who have suffered loses."