Canada To Send $5 Million For CAR Intervention

Contributing to effort to restore order to former French colony

Canada will contribute $5 million to the international mission led by the African Union in Central African Republic, Foreign Minister John Baird announced on Sunday.

Days of unrest have claimed some 600 lives as Christians and Muslims battled each other on the streets. More than a quarter of the population in the capital Bangui has fled their homes in fear.

Baird described the situation in Central African Republic as "dire" and said there are "urgent humanitarian needs."