The Honourable John Baird, Leader of the Government in the House of Commons has announced that the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) will continue to match donations made by individual Canadians to the Pakistan Flood Relief Fund. Millions of people in Pakistan have been affected by the flooding which continues to affect more than half of that nation. According to the UN, more people have been affected by this disaster than by the 2004 tsunami, Haiti earthquake, and south Asia earthquake combined.

Photo by Ghulam Rasool/CWS-ACT

PWRDF has responded to the flooding through Action by Churches Together (ACT) Alliance. All donations to PWRDF are eligible for matching funds from CIDA.

Donations to be matched must be sent to PWRDF in Toronto, or, Huron Church House (made payable to “The Diocese of Huron”). Cheques should be clearly marked for “Pakistan Relief”. The deadline for receiving funds to be matched is now October 3, 2010. Donations received after October 3rd will still be thankfully accepted, but the amount will not be matched by CIDA.

There is NO requirement to forward donations to PWRDF for receipting for matching funds. Please continue your church procedure for receipting PWRDF/HHF donations. Donations to be matched must be noted “Pakistan Relief” and received by October 3rd at Huron Church House or PWRDF.