Hercules C-130 aircraft to airlift supplies and food to hurricane-stricken island

The Canadian military has agreed to provide a C-130 Hercules cargo aircraft to deliver aid from Montreal to the victims of Hurricane Jeanne in Haiti, according to a Canadian federal government spokesperson.

After New York and Boston, Montreal is home to the largest community of Haitians outside of the island. Montreal residents have already donated tons of food and clothing to aid agencies in the city. The hurricane flooded many parts of Haiti, killing an estimated 1,500 people and leaving many more without food or shelter.

"I understand there is a major worry there is not enough cargo space in airplanes to deliver this aid," said Transport Minister Jean Lapierre to the Canadian Press. "This plane will leave as soon as the organizations have figured out what they want to send most urgently."

Canada has already donated more than $2 million in assistance to Haiti, and the Quebec government has added $200,000 to that number. In addition to the money and aid, Foreign Affairs Minister Pierre Pettigrew is leaving for Haiti on Tuesday to participate in a fact-finding mission.

FMI: www.dnd.ca