Canada has been engaged in a comprehensive relief effort in quake-stricken Haiti, Foreign Minister Lawrence Cannon said Thursday.

"We have set in motion a rapid, comprehensive and determined disaster relief effort," Cannon told a press conference.

Canada has deployed essential supplies including 2,925 blankets, 4,104 buckets with lids, 1,200 hygiene kits and 3,111 kitchen sets, he said.

Currently there are 51 government officials, 33 embassy staffers and over 900 soldiers in Haiti and more Canadians will be deployed, he said.

The top diplomat said continued work is needed toward an international conference on Haiti next Monday in Montreal that will attract delegates from 11 countries as well as international organizations and development banks.

As quake aid enters its 10th day, coordination on the ground continues making progress, he said. "Port-au-Prince and Jacmel are slowly opening up to receive shipments, but logistical challenges remain, and this is not unusual with a humanitarian operation of this size."

Cannon also said that 13 Canadians have been confirmed dead and 357 are still unaccounted for.

Since the beginning of the crisis, 20 flights have transported a total of 1,765 evacuees to Canada.

"Our Emergency Operations Center has now responded to a total of 29,200 calls, up from 29,000 yesterday. We are actively continuing our efforts to locate Canadians so they can safely return to Canada," Cannon said.

A major earthquake measuring 7.3 on the Richter scale struck Haiti on January 12.

While the full extent of the damage has not yet been determined, the quake has reportedly caused widespread loss of life and extensive damage to infrastructures.

Canadian officials are contacting local authorities to clarify the impact of the earthquake and how Canada can best help.

Canada is also in contact with trusted humanitarian partners to offer humanitarian aid.

Canada has also announced special immigration measures to offer visas to Haitians once the immigration services at the embassy are restored.

Canada and Haiti established diplomatic relations in 1954. Over the years, the bilateral ties have been consolidated with the growth of a substantial Haitian community in Canada as well as the presence of Canadian development organizations in Haiti.

(Xinhua News Agency January 22, 2010)