Status report on activities to assist people arriving in

NLIS 7
September 11
(Municipal and Provincial Affairs)

Status report on activities to assist people arriving in
Newfoundland and Labrador on flights originally bound for the U.S.

Municipal and Provincial Affairs Minister, Oliver Langdon, minister responsible for the Emergency Measures Organization (EMO), accompanied by Fred Hollett, Acting Director of EMO, Superintendent Gerry Lynch of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) and Deputy Chief of Police, Gary Browne, of the Royal Newfoundland Constabulary (RNC) provided a status report on activities being undertaken to assist people arriving in Newfoundland and Labrador on flights originally bound for the United States.

The minister expressed his sincere sympathies to the people of the United States and to those families directly affected by the tragic events unfolding in the United States today. Premier Roger Grimes has authorized the minister to offer any humanitarian assistance to the people arriving in this province.

Currently, there are international flights arriving in various locations throughout the province, including St. John's and Gander International airports, Deer Lake, Stephenville and Goose Bay airports. The following aircraft have arrived while others are expected, however these numbers are changing frequently:

St.John's	27 planes have arrived		approximately 5,000 individuals total
Gander	34 planes have arrived	24 enroute	approximately 6,000-8,000 anticipated.
Stephenville	8 planes have arrived	37 enroute	approximately 2,000-3,000 anticipated
Goose Bay	5 planes have arrived		approximately 800 total
Deer Lake	1 private jet has arrived		5 people on board

The minister stated that flights are arriving from many countries and the province is establishing a registration and inquiry process, as well as accommodations and interpretation services. The province's emergency response program has been activated and an emergency operations centre is established at the EMO headquarters in St. John's. Each community has activated its emergency response program and at this time, there are hundreds of people mobilized in this response effort.

"I want to assure relatives of the passengers and crew on these flights that this province is prepared to help in any way we can during this extremely difficult crisis," said Minister Langdon. "We are also working very closely with federal and provincial agencies to coordinate our efforts and put plans in place to help ease the burden for these people."

Hospitals, schools and numerous agencies have been alerted and are prepared to assist as needed.

Media contact: Sean Kelly, Director of Communications, (709) 729-1983.

2001 09 11 5:55 p.m.

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