Thank you for listening to Depiction's Media Radio. Welcome to Policy Rights to show
about government policy and human rights. Welcome back to Policy and Rights here in
Depictions Media Radio. I'm your host, Michael Cloggs. And of course we
have reports from the United Nations in the WHL where they're trying to find a
universal way of ensuring that everybody receives stays healthy and that they find the right
medications, the right treatments in everything to ensure health around the world. So
we're going to hear something from a brief something about that from the President of
the General Assembly of the United Nations after they had a it was a closed
store meeting about universal health, universal global health. So we're also going to
hear reports from a press briefing about Molly and a village called Mora that has
been under siege and uh there's reports of human rights violations, all sorts of
atrocities happening that UM that the United Nations is trying to get to the bottom
of, while the Mali government's calling it an anti terror UM action and UM
in North America of coming back home towards UM to the United States and Canada,
that there's extreme wildfires still burning in Alberta and that the entire province is
under a state of emergency while firefighters UM battle the fires. That UM,
there are reports that that they're asking from for firefighters from around the world to
come help extinguish the fires and save properties and livestock and other things that people
need their massive evacuations, and the Canadian government is talking about how they're going
to help fund people to rebuild their homes and their lives back to where they
were before the fire actually happened. So UM, we always talk about human
rights and how people just in general need need to be protected and health they
need to be protected. That there was also a United Nations and wh A
report put out about the use of artificial sweeteners and how that could actually be
bad for our health. And they of course they named as as we know
aspartain or nutra suite in that report, and they also named saccharine, which
never for more than forty years, has never really left the idea of Oops,
maybe that's not so good for us, So we're UM. You'll find
more at Depictions Media about this UM where we actually found the United Nations article
about it. But we also have a quote from our own resident functional nutritionists
at Guita Setti from Living Well at Guita Setti as she talks about. Artificial
sweeteners were introduced into the market as a substitute to support people with metabolic disorders
and focus especially for diabetes, but became a craze as a food. The
industry started using them to substitute and enhance the sweet taste without negative impact of
sugar without enough research out there. Now we know that long term usage of
these substitutes can be carcinogenic, a neurotoxin, or even cause damage to the
blood vessels leading to cardiovascular conditions. The latest studies are also pointing out increased
sensitivity issues and negative microbiome impact. Even with short term usage, they may
actually be causing more damage and adding to the issue rather than solving it.
The problem that high consumption of sugar had created. So let's listen to today's
show and we're going to start off with the statement from the President of the
General Assembly and move into the Alberta Fires. Coming out momentarily will be the
President of the General Assembly. He will be joined by the co facilitators,
the permanent representatives who he has selected to Shepherd the internet, excuse me,
the negotiation processes on health related issues as they concern Anga. So it will
be the President of the General Assembly who will be speaking. He will be
joined by the Ambassadors. So, as I mentioned, the President of the
General Assembly is here. He's joined by the facilitators, the ambassadors who he
has appointed to lead on health related issues in an upcoming high level meetings.
During ANGER, the President will make brief remarks. He will then take some
questions. President, thank you very much. Poulin. Ladies and gentlemen,
thank you very much indeed for your interests, your time and your deducation.
Many many thanks for your work supporting the activities and the transformation going on in
the General Assembly. You might have heard me and others speaking in this house
that it is a time of unprecedented and interlocking crisis in the world and responding
on that it is and it must be a year of crisis management and transformation
in the General Assembly. That's what we tried to achieve in the Water Conference
last March. That's what we are trying to achieve during the Sendai Framework term
Review a couple of days from now, and that is our main focus on
the HLPF in July, and that will be the main objective of all the
Member States on the High Level week in September. In a few months time
from now. They are clear objectives in front of us. Revive sustainability,
transformation, it's financial support, find game changing solutions of integrated nature, seek
stability for the people and planet, and advance peace and security, particularly by
recommitting to the non proliferation nuclear non proliferation. You may know that there are
sixteen negotiating processes going on in the GEN Assembly. It is unprecedented in our
history, and thirteen out of the sixteen are directly related to some kind of
transformation we are trying to achieve in this house and in the world. The
human dimension of this transformation is very closely characterized by free has related negotiating processes
on the TV preparedness, the pandemic preparedness, and the universal health coverage.
We are very strongly relying on the conviction of the Member States and other stakeholders
that health is When health is at risk, everything is at risk. We
are deeply convinced the at health is not and cannot be a luxury, but
a fundamental human right. We are also deeply convinced that providing health is not
a money bit, but it's an investment in sustainable development. So in September,
in the second half of the High Level Week, we are going to
have the three summit meetings on Pandemic Preparedness, TB, Fighting TB and the
Universal health coverage. Today we are having multi stakeholder hearing. Actually it started
yesterday with the tuberculosis, today with the lessons learned from the pandemic preparedness,
and this afternoon we are going to have the multi stakeholder hearing on universal health
coverage. Let me start with a universal health coverage. It's a kind of
umbrella of health for the agent at twenty thirty. It's about providing good quality
health services to all each in every member of our community on this planet without
causing unbearable financial hardships. There might be different ways, different methods, how
to provide it, how to achieve it in different countries. The most important
that the universal health coverage should be achieved. In nineteen twenty eighteen, there
has been already a joint declaration of all Member States in the General Assembly that
by twenty thirty we want to achieve the universal health coverage. We are off
track. So what we need to decide in the forthcoming weeks and months with
the help of the stakeholders today, how to go back to our origin goal
and how to deliver for our people. I'm very grateful for the Ambassadors of
Guayana who is standing behind me and working together with the Ambassador of Thailand for
leading this negotiating process. They are doing a very good work, hard work
with the membership and they are in the process of reaching very soon a detailed
negotiation on concrete outcome text. For the time being, we are gathering information
from various actors including nurses, doctors, science actors, civil society actors,
companies and non state actors on the tuberculosis. It's a preventable and curable disease.
We even have some remarkable success since two thousand, we could save about
seventy two million lives on the Earth by the measures we implemented in our countries.
Yet it still remains a silent killer. Just in twenty twenty one alone,
one point six million people died because of tuberculosis and sixteen million fell sick
with it. It is one of the leading causes of death across the world.
And we know it is always linked to inequity, poverty, under nutrition,
and what we need is further research for new vex scenes and new drugs
capable of preventing the new trains trains of strains of the bacteria and curing the
disease. Behind me, you can see the Ambassador of Poland, his excellent
smister Christophe Chersky and his excellency back to your ibragame of the Ambassador of of
US Pakistan. I'm grateful for them for leading the negotiations of the Member States,
involving many other stakeholders to create a common knowledge base and start very soon
the text based negotiations among the Member states. Last, but not least,
on the pandemic preparedness COVID nineteen revealed their nature, the very dangerous nature of
a prototype of the Anthropocene error crisis. The pandemic officially is over, but
the lessons still to be learned and drown for our future. These are bitter,
bitter lessons of the COVID. We know that though this pandemic might have
been officially over, but the next one is in the waiting. We don't
know when, we don't know how, and we don't know from what kind
of virus or bacteria it would it would come with. But we have to
understand our shortcomings. We have to understand our mistakes, what we did in
the hand process of handling the pandemics, and we have to make the best
decisions to be best better prepared. Once again, the question is not whether
or not we are going to have the next danger from pandemic, but the
question is when it comes and whether or not we are prepared or not.
So I'm grateful for the two ambassadors of Morocco and Israel for leading the Members
States preparations and negotiations for the political decorations that will be adopted at the highest
level in the during the September High Level Week, Ladies and gentlemen. For
these three major human centered processes of health, we need everybody on board.
We need all stakeholds stakeholders aboard. We need commitments of the global community tackling
health related crisis. But we also need to know that it is not purely
a health issue. It's an issue of policymaking, an issue of financing,
issue of scientific progress, issue of technological advancement, an issue of how we
build trust among ourselves and how to rebuild our networks of cooperation. And before
wrapping up, I want to thank the who support in organizing this week hearings
and in general providing assistance for the negotiating processes in the General Assembly. Thank
you very much. How you can prepare for the next epidemic if you don't
know where it's going to happen or how you know, it's a complete mystery.
I wish we knew exactly what kind of virus or bacteria would come.
You might have heard about the research which is called Dema protocol. Dema Protocol
is trying to identify those mostly viruses that have most potential of making the big
jump to the human body. We know that they are about eight strains on
the watch list now, but the number of the potential bugs are much much
higher. But this is not what we can decide here in the General Assembly.
It is a job for researchers, for scientists. Our job is to
draw lessons learned from our own mistakes. What we've done in the last couple
of years, how we organize ourselves in terms of medical supplies, how we
mobilized our finances for fighting the pandemic, how we used the scientific knowledge for
political decision making and how we shown solidarity during the fight against the pandemic.
If we draw our lessons learned from that, we do our part of the
work. And we are asking the scientists the scientific community to come for our
help to help us with the highest possible probability when and what kind of strains,
viruses and bacteria could come then next, It is still an unknown,
but but we are focusing on them on the potential social of danger. Thank
you for leadership on this throughout the day and yesterday as well on TV.
A lot around multisectoral collaboration came up in the room today and cross collaboration and
coordination between governments. You also mentioned antiquasine and we know that climate change drives
emerging pandemics. So how do you see climate conversations and health conversations convening at
a very high level through this and can there be better synergies created between these
two sectors in these forums so that that can be spilled over into national and
regional conversations and in academia as well. Thank you much. I couldn't agree
more with you. Climate change itself does not cause pandemic, but climate change
creates conditions that are very indusive forklandemic conducive for pandemics. It amplifies some of
the factors, including those that might be favorable for the spreading of the new
type of area or viruses. It is not by surprise that during the high
level week we are going to have a climate ambition summit and on the same
day we are going to have just a few hours with a few hours difference,
the health related summit. There are quite a few areas which have a
great impact on our preparedness for the next pandemic. But obviously how we treat,
how we try to prevent, or how we get accommodated to the next
wave of the global warming will have a great impact of how we are going
to weather the pandemics of the near future. But it's not only climate change
that has an impact on the potential of the new new pandemics. The closure
we get to nature, the habitats which were untouched for thousands of years by
humanity, the more will be the immediate physical contacts between those carriers of the
diseases and human beings. That's what we see now on a yearly basis,
with the outbreak of very rare diseases coming from those areas where the natural habitat
and the human habitat are meeting. Unfortunately, we know we noticed that there
is a new outbreak or Marburg disease in Africa for the similar reasons. Right
now, TV is probably the biggest killer essence it passed COVID pandemic. Are
you trying to get you know, laboratories, especially in the private sector,
in modern developing a vaccine for it, which has been a massive failure so
far. The private sector is here with us in the multi stakeholder discussions.
Yes, without them, we cannot solve this problem. Governments alone, engeos
alone cannot prevent the next pandemic. We need the private sector and we need
the science community. We need new solutions and we need new methods of implementing
those solutions. There were rightly many critical words to the big pharma during the
pandemic, but we have to acknowledge that without the scientific breakthrough which was achieved
at the beginning of this pandemic, we would not have been able to prevent
much more lives to be lost. So my message to the private sector,
yes, you have a role, you have your own responsibility. Please come
work with us. We are counting and you and your words are also counting
in our final decisions. Thank you, Thank you much indeed, and let
me just call to your kind attention that in the course of the further negotiations
on all three tracks, the ambassadors behind me, whom once again I would
like to thank for their wonderful work, would be at your disposal for your
convenience to be addressed to ask questions or give you a background information on the
course of the negotiations. Thank you very much, and I'll wish you a
nice day. As the force commander for the UN peacekeeping mission in the Central
African Republic, the Major General succeed Lieutenant General Triory of Burkina Faso, who
completed assignment earlier this year. The Secretary General is grateful for his tireless dedication
and invaluable service and leadership. Major General Nione joined the Zambian Army in nineteen
ninety four and served most recently as Commandant of the Defense Service Command and Staff
College in Zambia. More information online. Today, the Department the Development Coordination
Office tells US that Adam abdel Mullah of Sudan is taking up his new post
as a new UN Resident Coordinator in Syria following his appointment by the Secretary General.
He will also serve as Humanitarian Coordinator. Missab Delmulah brings more in thirty
five years of experience and development, rule of law, human rights and humanitarian
work. He has served the UN for the last twenty four years. If
I'm not mistaken, most recently in Somalia. And today is we have two
international days. Today's the International Day of Families. It's a day of reminder
that demographic changes in one of the most important megatrends impacting our world and life
and well being of families worldwide. Today is also UN Global Road Safety Week
to all the start of it. Rather, road safety injuries are leading cause
of death and disability worldwide. That's why there is a desperate need for governments
and their partners to rethink mobility. Tomorrow, I will be joined by our
friends from Dessa who will brief you on the World Economic Situation Prospects Midyear Report.
Our guests will be Shantanoomukajee as Director of Economic Analysis and Policy Division,
and Hermid Rashid, the lead author of the report, who is also the
Chief of the Global Economic monitoring Branch Indessa. Lastly, little quiz for you.
We have one hundred and six fully paid up member states. Today we
received payments for a regular budget from a member state which is the only place
in the world where larry Mare, which is a rare form of blue pectolite,
is mined. It is also the birthplace of Oscar de Laurenta. Come
on, Sherwin the Dominican Republic. We thank our friends and Sento Domingo for
their money, Sherwin if. Late last week, South Atricas president had a
call with Russia's president and the Kremlin put out a statement afterwards saying that President
Putin supports President ramapaus As idea of a group of African leaders discussing the prospects
of settling the conflict in Ukraine, noting that Russia had never refused to work
on a diplomatic track. Since then, Drama Pausa has said that the UN
remains the only viable mechanism through which the global community can strive for peace and
common development. Has there been any interaction between President Ramapausa and the United Nations
on this idea of African possible African mediation and what do you make of such
a prospect given the broader context in which the Secretary General has said it does
not believe that there is an immediate possibility for reaching a ceasefire. Now I'm
not aware of any direct contact between proser Ramaposa and the Secretary General on this
particular issue. I think any effort to bring peace to Ukraine that involves all
of the parties to this conflict is to be welcome. There is a I
think the international community as a whole, every member state has a response ability
to do what they can to see an end to this conflict in line with
the Charter, in line with General Assembly resolutions, and in line with international
law DEGI and then Pam first of all, up on the Black Seagreen initiative,
any new updates on the talk, especially concerning the pipelines that delivers Russian
ammonia to Black supports. Though discussions are going on involving all the all of
the parties, we can't stress enough how important the Black Sea initiative is,
along with the efforts the parallel efforts to increase the flow of Russian food and
fertilizer to market. So are there any scheduled quadruple meetings before eight there will
we expect discussions to continue before May eighteenth. Okay, my next question,
sorry, my next question. On Syria, we know that during this weekend
the Syrian government decided to extend the two crossing border border crossings to Rubbo control
areas, and also we got confirmation from the UN. Any comments on that
one, You've got confirmation for me, I'm not going to comment on what
I so. So do you think does the the UN think that's a positive
move? Yes, very much so. I mean it'll help us with the
continuing efforts to support to support people in Syria wherever they live, give a
broader picture. There's there's this returning to our league for the Syrian government.
And also we saw the quadruple meetings with turkeya Iranian and Syrian Russian foreign minister
and they decided to have a committee to settling down the relative issues overall.
Do you think the atmosphere so far on the Syrian crisis is positive? Look,
there is a there is clearly a lot of activity going on right h
We have been mister Petterson has also been involved in UM in a number of
of discussions with various parties. We would like to see a recommitment and reaction
of everyone involved on a positive political track in line with Security Council Result twenty
two fifty four. And that continues to be mister Peterson's efforts. But but
you know, Um Secretary no, sorry, mister Anthony B. Lincoln said
that US position is not going to getting the business of normalizing relationship with Asset
and that regime. But do you think you should also push a little bit
of the US to engage are mandate is and that is is the mandate given
to US and given to special line for Pederson within the context of the resolution.
Pam, thanks Stephan, follow up to Degi and then a separate question.
The follow up is you mentioned the Black Sea initiative. Is there any
sense that this will in the next few days before May eighteenth be expanded to
not only include grain and include the ammonia pipeline And is that the UN position
at this sorry, I mean the UN position is that we want to see
a continuation and full implementation of the Memorandum of Understanding which covers the export of
grain, also mentions the pipeline, and also full implementation of the agreement between
U and the Russia. Federation on the regarding the issue of an extension of
an export of Russian food and fertilizer. Okay, thank you. And on
the new IOM Director General. I you mentioned it, but can you say
what significance it has, um that what importance the agency has, and that
US now directing it. Thank you. A. I didn't mention it.
I mean I did not. I did not mention it. It's not I
mean there were elections taking place the IOM through its own governing body. They're
a specialized agency of the UN system, so it's not for me to comment
on elections. We obviously look forward to working with the new leadership IOM,
which has the UNS mandate to deal with migration. Is a critical part of
the UN system as we see the issue of migration being front and center,
not only in this hemisphere but all over the world. And they work hand
in hand with UNHCR, which has the refuge mandate in ensuring that people who
are on the move, who are forcibly on the move, are treated with
their the human rights they deserve, the dignity they're reserved, and the rights
they have enshrined in international law. Abdelhamid and then Benno, thank you.
Stefan. I have three questions. In fact, I'll start with the ceasefire
in Gaza between Gaza and that right. Did Torwinsland, the Special Coordinator,
have anything to do with it? What was his role in reaching the ceasefire?
I think he along with with other Member states, I think working as
we mentioned in the in the statement, all work towards the same goal,
and that is reaching the ceasefire, which was done. My second question about
a Palestinian presidenter. His name is Walid Daga. He's been in jail since
nineteen eighty six. He was sentenced for Paris years forty seven years, and
he's now diagnosed with terminal illness. He had cancer and he is fighting for
his probably last a few months. So there is an international appeal to release
him. What does the UN say about this humanitarian case. I'm not particular,
I'm not I don't have any knowledge of this particular case, but we
hope that this prisoner, like every other prisoner wherever they may be held,
get the healthcare that they need to have. And finally, today in his
speech, Marudabas, the Polician President, spoke about the two Resolutions of nineteen
fourty seven nineteen forty eight one eight one nine nine four one nine four is
about the right of return? Does the Secretary General believe that this resolution is
still valid seventy five years later? I think the Secretary John's position was made
here by Rosemary DeCarlo. His position on the need to find a political settlement
that deals with all outstanding issues remains his position. Benno and then Selia,
thank you steth M. Regarding the grain deal negotiations, would they be easier
without the Turkey election drawing so much attention? That's not for me to speculate.
Let me just say the importance of the Black Sea initiative, the importance
of the other part of the package deal in Russian grain infertilizer remains important regardless
of what happens in other in elections anywhere. I think, as Martin Griffiths
said, we've seen like a twenty percent drop in grain prices since the start
of this of this initiative, it is vital that it continues. It is
vital for people who depend on buying food on the global market. Uh,
Sarah, But staff, what do you seem that the UN people part of
the mission cannot do their Some of them cannot even leave their home in this
condition. Should the mission leave The Secretary journal I think made some proposals,
very clear proposals. The Security Council will have to decide. Um, we
are given a mandate. It is important that everyone allows us to implement that
mandate. Uh fully that Member States back us and support us in implementing that
that mandate. And then otherwise the Council will need to draw its own its
own conclusions. Um aland the mind and Stefano, because they've a short forward,
you have said that the negotiations, the discussions on the grain deal will
resume before May eighteens. Which level level is it? Is it the same
level was it wasn't on Friday or it will be a little I think it
a more technical, at a more technical level, Okay, Miriam, then
Stefano, thank your stuff. Um. The ICCT pipeline tracking report just came
out and it covers between April and June. Which tech which report. It's
about the critical emergency shelter and protection protection in Afghanistan that is running out and
it says the pipeline break due to severe funding gaps and additional funding is needed
to support the delivery of course applies, and the UM snapshot shows like really
scary numbers and how the pipeline break is going to UM affect if it happens.
Do you have any additional information on that? No, I mean the
humanity. The additional information I have is that the humanitarian situation remains remains critical
in Afghanistan and our operations also remained underfunded, uh Stefano and I will go
to Michelle before we go around follow up on that question Iom before UM first
of all, is for the record numbers of migrants that we have in the
world. This suppose, I mean, this election was very important. UM
Sorr. It's strange that you didn't mention. I mean, and it's not
for me. I don't mention for sure. If I mentioned everything that happens
within UN system, we would start at seven am and at midnight. So
I'm doing it for your for I'm selective. I don't mention things where I
try not to mention in which the Secretary General, the Secretariat or those organism
parts of you, whether he has direct impact on or it is not involved.
This was an election of a governing body of a specialized agency. I
mean they really they sent out a press release, So you were informed.
I just there's the statement. They just want to the question is in this
because vittoreno here march to our question. He hands am that this election was
unpresident because he was practically he had the deputy director that was candidate itself and
it never happened and he unleasted. This is what we heard that he had
the approval support of Europeans and some of the rights also included the Secretary General,
even if it was not public. Now the fact that he lost and
any pope, the United States is back because the United States has been all
has been a tradition that United States is the question that is well, the
question was thereat that is the Secretary General, I mean had tried to connect
a rather way with the open and the Secretary Journal did not speak to any
was not involved in this election. He does not have a vote. He
is not a member of state. He's not sitting on the governing body of
IOM. The Member States took a vote. We have we we support as
a general practice, we support democracy, We support votes. They took a
vote, they took a decision. It is their decision. We will obviously
we look forward to working um with the leadership of the new leadership of IOM
as we've worked with the previous one. Okay, Michelle Nicole, thanks that.
UM, no surprises, I've got a few grain grain deal questions.
UM. Just further to what you said about discussions continuing, do you mean
just discussions are among officials at the JCC or is Martin Grippiths or Rebecca Greensband
planning to try the more to Yes, you're going to spect to anyone.
I expect more formal discussions at the technical level to take place in the next
next few days in Istanbul, In Istanbul, so at the j c C.
Well, I mean where they're physically or held, I don't know,
but in Istanbul, yes, okay, among all four parties. That would
be the best way to make sure that all four are involved. Okay.
And have you has he YESDA received any kind of response to his letter I
think to share with you at this point. And then final one, UM.
Last year, when Russia suspended its participation, the JCC continued continued to
operate. Um, is that potentially going to happen after May eighteen? Will
the remaining three parties in the JCC start authorizing and inspecting ships and continue well,
I'm not going to just speculate. What we are looking for is the
continuation of the work of the JCC as it was designed and as it was
agreed to and as it was signed onned by the parties. Mister Schmidtmermer,
you did that. You did that before. Yeah, I don't know why.
I know, Schmidt. Do we have to discuss that? Yeah,
we have to discuss Yeah, years of therapy. Yes. About the G
seven meeting in Japan, Um, did you already announce if the SGS traveling
there? I have not announced it. Well you, as a mad of
practice, the Secretary Journal has attended I think almost every G seven meeting.
So what the other guy said? Yes, DEGI I just want to make
a comparation. Comparison. Sorry, The annual budget budget for United Nations this
year is three point four billion years dollars. For the record, NYPD this
year physical year twenty twenty three, the budget is eleven billion dollars. What
do you think of this number? Could tell that a a organization to you
know, try to try to keep world stability and world ps is actually half
less than half the budget than NYPD. You know, I'm not going to
start to compare the budget of the UN with the budget of the police in
New York. We we rely on our host country, including the ny PD,
to keep all of us safe in this community. I think a better
comparison, I think would be the trillions and trillions of dollars that are spent
every year on arms sales and weapons and killing machines throughout the world, compared
to what is spent on development, compared to what is spent on human rights,
compared to what is spent on peacekeeping. I think that's a more apt
comparison. I don't see Paulina, so I don't think she's briefing today.
Okay, thank you, you're hired. Okay, thank you all. Thanks.
Yeah, let's just start with something off. You know, what's the
light having the Prime Minister here and you guys being here about actually our mister
Delbert, mister Renny Vassenell, we're here and we're going to be joined very
shortly by the Prime Minister about one of the purposes for coming here. As
we know, the welfarers that have been impacted the people of Alberta have been
very significant. People have been displaced from their homes, is a great deal
of concern. We received the requests in the providence to provide the federal assistance
to a request for assistance arrangement, and the Canadian Armed Forces, as they
always do, have stepped up in order to provide that support. And so
we're here than to talk to the soldiers about some of the important work that
they're doing here in Alberta and also offer our dear thanks because we know their
commitment, their dedication and their expertise is really going to make a difference to
the people. As Bill said, our government cares about what's happening to our
burdens. We responded when Fiona took place, when the floods in Calgary took
place, when the devastating for mc murray will fires happening, like we're talking
about still twenty thousand people evacuated, and people livelihoods, their farms, their
animals, they're very livelihood is at staken in some cases. We've seen,
you know, communities devastated by this fire. So we're here because we care,
we're supporting. We've got three hundred CF personnel on the ground in Alberta,
and the whole of the Government of Canada is responding to make sure that
Albertans are safe and that Albertans know that we care, but that when a
disaster of this magnitude strikes, the federal government is there to respond in close
collaboration with the government of Alberta. I'd also take the opportunity to mention that
the million Right Cross, the federal government and the provincial government have a lead
to a matching fund, so that with the incredible generosity of communians right across
the country and certainly here in Alberta who are donating money to the Cannadian Red
Cross, both the problems in the federal government are going to matching. So
far commulas lead between the three of us over ten million dollars, it's been
ranged, are raised that will continue over the coming weeks until until the first
week of June, and we believe that that money can be used very effectively
to help support people who have been displaced from their homes, who are who
are dealing with a very very difficult situation, and also provides support to a
wide variety of community organizations who are there for all burdens during its time of
incredible need. And I guess the weather it looks like it's going to continue
like this so you guys can ready to keep off. Yeah, the toy
dons with you. The weather, as I think, it's been an extraordinary
factor in these fires. What we've seen is very high temperatures, conditions you
know, beautiful, it's a beautiful sunny day here in Edmonton. But at
the same time, these are actual conditions that give rise to a very significant
likelihood of increased fire activity. That the fire activity here in Alberta has begun
earlier than normally expected. Um, there is you know, it's almost without
precedent to have this level of that fire activity in the province. Um.
Certainly we've looked, We track very carefully. I watch weather reports, used
to watch fire reports, but but weather reports are very significant. It appears
that these hot, dry, windy conditions could prevail over over several days.
And so clearly we are here for the wrong haul. And I think it's
important to acknowledge. We know that those firefighters who have not they're doing an
extraordinary encourageous job for all of us. They're gonna be a're tired, they're
going to need they're going to need replacements. And so we're working very closely
with not just other provinces, across the country, but other countries United States,
Australia and New Zealand and Mexico to see if we can draw other firefighters
to bring them here to assist the forces, to assist, you know,
the wild fire fighters here in Alberta. We also have and to see significant
challenges. They are fires burning in British Columbius has got to one of the
Northwest territories, and so we know that there's still more resources going to be
required, and the relationship of the government and the federal government to the provincial
governments is we provide the support that's needed as long as it's needed and well
passed. When this time when this makes headlines, so we need to work
with the provincial our provincial counterparts to make sure that the fires are out.
We're talking eighty four fires, twenty seven are still out of control. They're
still almost twenty thousand people out of their homes. So there's still a lot
of work ahead and the hot, dry conditions are making this challenging for firefighters.
But these are professional firefighters and they're boosted now by some three hundred personnel
from the Canadian Armed Forces. So we're in this for the long haul.
And just to be clear before we ask the question, the Problems of Alberta
is responsible for the emergency response here to this very difficult and challenging situation.
Our responsibility is to be here in support of them, and we're working very
closely with the province and through certainly through the Provincial Emergency Operations Center, our
Government Operations Center. Our officials are working in extremely close collaboration to make sure
that the federal government is here in support of the important work that the province
is doing. Plan to help those who have lost posts well damage is eligible
for reimbursement. Now, the province's responsibility to design and implement a financial assistance
arrangements to assist those individuals, and the federal government has what we call an
ironmanage this a disaster financial assistance arrangement where certain expenses aren't eligible for reimbursement by
the federal government and so all it requires is the province to establish assistance arrangement
and we work very closely with them and they'll do that and they're well aware
of the eligibility criteria and for events of this magnitude where there's there's a significant
damage and loss of up to ninety percent of those recovery expenses can be reimbursed
by the federal government, but it really is initiated by the problems. We
also know that those things take time and it can cause some frustration and anxiety
among Canadians. I just want to assure them that in the initial response,
both orders, all orders of government that includes the municipalities, will be there
for them, and as we go through a period of recovery, will work
very closely with the problems to make sure that the resources are there not not
just certainly to help people with their businesses, as their homes, their valued
possessions, but also the impact that it can have on critical infrastructure where water
treatment plants and other things can be destroyed in some of these municipalities, and
we want to make sure that we can get those up and running as quickly
as possible, and we'll want to just maybe before we reapt up, just
let it air and know where sending our thanks and gratitude to all the first
responders, and we're here to thank the members of the Canadian Enforces who have
responded to this call from the Government of Alberta, and we want to thank
them in their families for signing up for Albertons and fellow Canadians there at this
time of need. Thanks everyone, Thank you very much. Yeah today with
an update from Colin Blair from the Alberta Emergency Management Agency, followed by Christie
Tucker from Alberta Wildfire we will then take your questions. Go ahead Colin,
thanks again, Good afternoon everyone. Alberta continues to be under a provincial state
of emergency and the Provincial Emergency Coordination Center remains at Level four. In addition
to the provincial state of emergency, there are twenty states of local emergency,
as well as five band council resolutions and fifteen evacuation orders are in place.
About seventeen thousand, four hundred and thirty one people remaining evacuated at this time,
and there are eleven reception centers that registered evacuees. In the past twenty
four hours, there have been several changes to the evacuation orders and alerts.
The total number of evacuation orders is now at fifteen and therefore evacuation alerts in
place. Most notably, the town of Value Value Viue just issued an evacuation
order this afternoon for all residents in the area and nearby Sturgeon count Correction.
Sturgeon Lake Cree Nation expanded its evacuation order. All residents who have to evacuate
should register at the nearest reception center or online. So far, more than
fifteen thousand, six hundred and twenty four people are registered. Registering will make
it easier to get help and resources to evacuees, and it makes it easier
for officials to reach residents with important information. The wildfire situation continues to be
extremely volatile. Hot and dry conditions throughout much of the province are creating the
perfect storm for fires to start and grow quickly, which poses a significant and
unpredictable threat to many communities. It's crucial that all Alburtons pay close attention to
the fire bands that are in place throughout most of the province as well.
Those who are driving in any area of the province where there are active wildfires
should drive with caution. Smoke is causing poor air quality and reduced visibility.
Motorists should drive with caution and check five one one for up to date provincial
road closures and road conditions. For those who are in a community that's on
and evacuation alert being prepared to evacuate could very well save lives. The situation
can change quickly, and an evacuation order may be issued at any time with
little to no warning. I want to reinforce the importance of people being prepared
for themselves, their loved ones, and their pets. There's a lot of
information on how to prepare for an evacuation on the Alberta government website. Albertans
can also find emergency alerts by visiting the Emergency alert site. Preparing in advance
will keep residents and their loved ones safe. We encourage all Albertans in potentially
impacted communities to stay informed by paying attention to emergency alerts and local news updates.
Get information only from trusted and verified sources, follow your local authority social
media accounts, and download the Alberta Emergency Alert Path. Residents should also remember
to stay connected with neighbors and community members. Contact from friends and neighbors during
an emergency can help everyone stay safe and feel supported in their preparation. It
is crucial to pack an emergency kit that will last for a week or more
with essential items like medications, identification, a first aid kit, flashlights,
batteries, nonperishable food, cash, and clothing. This kit should be kept
in an accessible location and we urge people to have a plan for their pets.
They should consider how they'll gather and transport their pets, where their pets
will go, and what supplies they will need, including food, medications,
leashes and carriers. Albertans can find more tips and information online at Alberta dot
CAA. We have also heard from Albertons who are concerned about the security of
their home and property if they must evacuate. The Alberta RCMP website has tips
on how Albertans can protect their properties in advance of being evacuated, and it
includes updates on what the RCMP is doing ethic areas. Those in affected areas
by wildfires are encouraged to opt in for this free, voluntary system. We
know parents and students have been worried about how the evacuations and school closures will
affect upcoming diploma exams. Alberta Education has been working closely with all affected school
divisions to continually assess the situation and what that means for student learning. A
decision has been made to automatically exempt students affected by wildfire evacuations from writing diploma
exams if they have been displaced from school for ten days or more. I'll
say that again, if they have been displaced from school for ten or more
school days. This means that a student who has been displaced from a school
as a result of the wildfire for ten or more school days is automatically exempted
from writing their diploma exams this June and not have it count against their final
grades. Students can choose to write the diploma in a different community in June,
or can choose to write the exam in August if they don't want the
exemption. By providing options, we are giving flexibility to students and parents who
are facing pressure as the evacuations continue. These are trying times and the coming
days may be quite difficult. We are doing all we can to protect communities
at risk, but all Alburtons need to remain vigilant and closely follow updates on
the current wildfire conditions. The safety of Alburtons, their families and their communities
depends upon it. I urge Albertans to download the Alberta Emergency Alert app to
their mobile devices to receive emergency alerts and important information. These are just a
few key updates, but information on how to prepare and emergency alerts are available
online at Alberta dot caa slash emergency. We continue to work closely with local
officials and responders in all affected communities to get personnel, resources and equipment where
they are needed. Finally, I want to remind evacuees that we do have
a nightly telephone town hall they can join. The call begins at seven thirty
pm and provide a great opportunity for evacuees to get the information they need.
That can join the town hall by calling one eight three three three eight zero
zero six nine one. Thank you, and I will now turn things over
to Christy from Alberta Wilfire for more information on the provincial wlfire situation. Thank
you, Colin. There are currently ninety wildfires in the forest Protection Area of
Alberta. Twenty three of those wildfires are out of control. So far this
year, we've responded to four hundred and sixty five wildfires burning nearly five hundred
and thirty two thousand hectares. You can always get up to date numbers as
things change by accessing our interactive map on the Alberta wild Status page. Well,
the weekend was a challenging one for firefighters and many Albertans may have observed
more smoke in the air from active wildfires. Smoke can impact visibility, making
it difficult to assess wildfires, and the wind is expected to change today,
which could lead to unpredictable wildfire behavior. It could also affect the movement and
intensity of wildfires. Winds are expected to shift from the southeast to the northwest
with gusts of up to fifty kilometers an hour. Combined with the heat and
dryness, this will cause dangerous conditions for our firefighters on the ground. We
are watching conditions closely as they can change very quickly, with hourly reports on
the progress of the weather. Tomorrow, strong northerly winds and gusts are expected
to continue with little precipitation expected. But we have nine hundred firefighters and support
staff joining more than sixteen hundred from Alberta Wildfire for a combined total of two
thousand, five hundred people battling wildfires in Alberta. And that's not to mention
the many more municipal and county firefighters who are working to protect their communities.
Again, this is not the time for complacency. All Albertans need to remain
vigilant to the threat of wildfires, even in those areas with a lower wildfire
activity. Under these conditions, a wildfire can start and spread easily anywhere in
the province. Thank you, Thank you, Christie. We will begin with
questions here in the room and then move to the phones. So thank you
for listening to policy and right today here on Depictions Media Radio. I've been
your host, Michael Clogs. Please find that subscribe button wherever it may be.
The show has been produced by Depictions Media. Please contact us at depictions
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