Media advisory / Photo opportunity - Plan Canada stewards large shipment of medicines and health and hygiene products to Philippines

Water purification tablets, soaps, and antibiotics en route to children and families in need

TORONTO, Nov. 26, 2013 /CNW/ - In the wake of the incredible devastation and destruction caused by Typhoon Haiyan, Plan's emergency teams are on the ground and responding to the needs of affected children and families. Getting food, clean drinking water, medical supplies, shelter, and psychosocial support to children and families are Plan's immediate priorities.

Plan Canada's relief efforts are being fueled by the swift and generous donations of many Canadian individuals and organizations, including Unilever Canada, Apotex Canada, and other partners, who have recently donated more than 5,000 units of soap and large quantities of antibiotics and pain-relieving medicines. Plan will also be shipping more than 1 million water purification tablets (Aquatabs) to the Philippines. These items will help to safeguard the health and hygiene of typhoon survivors who face secondary risks of infection and disease following this disaster.

Plan is one of the largest and most respected international humanitarian and development organizations in the Philippines. Plan has been working in the country for more than 50 years in 420 communities, and has extensive experience responding to emergencies.

Media are invited to view a collection of these goods while they are being packed, prepared, and loaded for shipment to the Philippines the week of November 25. A Plan Canada spokesperson and expert will also be on hand for interviews.

WHAT:				Plan Canada shipment of health and hygiene products as part of aid efforts in the Philippines
WHO:				Stephanie Ashton-Smith, Senior Manager, Gifts-in-Kind Program, Plan Canada
WHEN:				Date: Wednesday, November 27, 2013 Time: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
WHERE:				Pro-Motion Transport and Distribution Inc. Warehouse 6600 Goreway Drive, Unit F Toronto, Ontario, L4V 1S6 (Please note: Parking is available at the front entrance of the building)

Plan Canada, as part of the Humanitarian Coalition, is urgently appealing to Canadians to support typhoon survivors by making a cash donation. You can do this by visiting the Humanitarian Coalition's website at together.ca or Plan's website at plancanada.ca  Donations to support typhoon survivors made between November 9 and December 9 will be matched dollar for dollar by the Canadian government, resulting in your donation having double the impact.

For more information on Plan's response to Typhoon Haiyan, please visit plancanada.ca

About Plan Canada
Founded in 1937, Plan is one of the world's oldest and largest international development agencies, working in partnership with millions of people around the world to end global poverty. Not for profit, independent and inclusive of all faiths and cultures, Plan has only one agenda: to improve the lives of children. Because I am a Girl is Plan's global initiative to end gender inequality, promote girls' rights and lift millions of girls - and everyone around them - out of poverty. Visit plancanada.ca and becauseiamagirl.ca for more information.

Plan Canada is a proud member of the Humanitarian Coalition. The Humanitarian Coalition is a joint appeal mechanism. It is comprised of CARE Canada, Oxfam Canada, Oxfam-Québec, Plan Canada and Save the Children Canada.

With a combined presence in more than 120 countries, we bring together Canada's leading aid agencies to finance relief efforts in times of international humanitarian crises. We work together to eliminate unnecessary competition, reduce the duplication of fundraising costs, and inform the public on humanitarian needs. To make a donation for Typhoon Haiyan, go to together.ca or call 1-800-464-9154.

 

SOURCE: Plan Canada

MEDIA CONTACT:
Angie Torres, Media Relations Specialist, Plan Canada
T: 416.920.1654 ext. 244
[email protected]