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Canada quick to offer aid and assistance to Philippines in wake of Typhoon Haiyan

Children hold signs asking for help and food along the highway, after Typhoon Haiyan hit Tabogon town in Cebu Province, central Philippines November 11, 2013. REUTERS/Charlie Saceda

As the Philippines strives to recover from the devastation of Typhoon Haiyan, which killed an estimated 10,000 people and decimated a stretch of land home to some nine million people, Canada has joined the efforts to help in any way possible.

President Benigno Aquino has declared a state of calamity as the military and volunteers work tireless to recover the missing and ensure food and shelter for those left in the wake.

Outside the country, the reaction has been similarly passionate. Canada's Filipino community is begging for the country to offer aid – a mantel quickly picked up by the government and local aid agencies – and the United Nations has been urged to consider the role climate change had in the disaster.

Naderev Sano, the U.N. envoy from the Philippines, broke down in tears on Monday as he addressed a conference focused on addressing climate change. The Canadian Press reported that Sano vowed to fast until a "meaningful outcome" to climate change was in sight.

The immediate international reaction to Typhoon Haiyan has been quick, focused and deliberate. And while the "meaningful outcome" desired by Sano may be a long time in the making, Western countries including Canada promptly jumped to offer financial support and other help for the storm-ravaged country.

[ Related: Aid trickles in to typhoon-wrecked Philippine islands ]

International Development Minister Christian Paradis announced on Sunday that the Canadian government would match any donation made by Canadian citizens.

"Time and time again Canadians have demonstrated they are among the most compassionate and generous people in the world," Paradis said in a statement.

"Through this fund, for every eligible dollar donated by individual Canadians to registered Canadian charities in response to the crisis in the Philippines the government will donate an additional dollar – effectively doubling their contribution."

(Here are the eligibility requirements, per Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development Canada.)

On top of this, Canada has donated $5 million to disaster recovery efforts and has deployed a strategic support team to determine how else Canadians can help.

[ More Brew: How to help donate to Typhoon Haiyan relief efforts ]

Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird says they are considering sending Canada's Disaster Assistance Response Team (DART) to the Philippines. DART is an internationally-lauded military team capable of providing medical care and clean water to remote areas.

Canada's desire to assist Philippines in any way possible is praiseworthy and perhaps not surprising. There is as many as 850,000 Filipino-born citizens living in Canada. The country was Canada's largest source of immigrants last year. In short, the relationship is tight.

CBC News reports that at least four Filipino-Montrealers went missing in the wake of the deadly typhoon. The group, two sisters and their husbands, travelled to the township of Guiuan in September to help build a chapel, Family back in Canada say they have not heard from them since the disaster.

Toronto's Our Lady of the Assumption Church is gathering canned goods, blankets and clothing to send to the ravaged areas. However, the supplies were expected to take as long as a month to arrive. Rev. Ben Ebcas Jr. told reporters that the best way to help out immediately was to donate money. “What we need is quick response," he said, according to the National Post. The Red Cross has agreed (donation details are available here).

With the country still in a state of national calamity and the death county continuing to climb, it is certain recovery efforts will continue for some time. Canada has vowed to be there for their Filipino people. We should remain by their side until a meaningful outcome is reached.