Canada doubles Asian quake aid to 66 million US dollars

OTTAWA, Jan 2 (AFP) - Canada's federal government on Sunday doubled its aid to victims of the Asian tsunami tragedy to 66 million US dollars (80 million Canadian), Prime Minister Paul Martin said.
"Canada is doubling its financial contributions from 40 million to at least 80 million dollars," Martin said, after an emergency meeting with key members of his cabinet and ambassadors from nations hit by the disaster.
Martin also said Canada would deploy a disaster relief team to Sri Lanka's east coast and send immediate supplies of 20,000 blankets, electical generators and water purification tablets to affected areas.
The Canadian government last week introduced an immediate moratorium on payments on one billion dollars worth of debts owed by nations in the disaster zone in Asia.
Martin also announced that flags would fly at half mast on Canadian federal buildings and that an official memorial event for victims of the catastrophe would be held on January 8, at noon.

01/02/2005 20:13 GMT - AFP