News release
April 25, 2018 - Brussels, Belgium - Global Affairs Canada
The conflict in the Middle East continues to affect millions of vulnerable people in Syria and its neighbouring countries, including Lebanon.
On behalf of the Honourable Marie-Claude Bibeau, Minister of International Development and La Francophonie, Omar Alghabra, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Foreign Affairs (Consular Affairs), today announced $19.5 million in funding to address humanitarian needs in Syria and Lebanon.
Canada’s contribution will help meet the basic needs of crisis-affected people in Syria and Lebanon, including through the provision of comprehensive health, water, sanitation, hygiene and protection services. The assistance also addresses the specific rights and needs of crisis-affected women and girls by providing specialized protection and reproductive health services.
The allocations announced today are part of the funding envelope announced on February 8, 2016, by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on the Government of Canada’s response to the crises in Iraq and Syria and their impact on Jordan and Lebanon. Canada committed $1.6 billion over three years, of which $840 million was for humanitarian assistance.
Parliamentary Secretary Alghabra made the announcement during the second Conference on Supporting the Future of Syria and the Region, taking place in Brussels, Belgium, on April 24 and 25, 2018.
Quotes
“Millions of people affected by the conflict in Syria still require urgent help, with many struggling to meet their basic needs. Today’s announcement of funding will provide much-needed relief to help meet the needs of those—too often women and children—most severely affected by this tragedy and help alleviate some of their suffering.”
- Omar Alghabra, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Foreign Affairs (Consular Affairs)
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Backgrounder
Canada’s announcement of $19.5 million in funding will help experienced humanitarian partners provide life-saving assistance to millions of people in Syria and Lebanon affected by the Syrian conflict.
Syria - $17.5 million
United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) - $5 million in additional funding to an existing UNFPA project in Syria. Canada’s support to the UNFPA helps provide conflict-affected persons with sexual and reproductive health and gender-based violence services and helps address key gaps in the humanitarian response stemming from the significant surge in internal displacement in recent months. Canada’s flexible support enables the UNFPA to allocate and respond to needs throughout Syria as they emerge.
Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) - $5 million to the OCHA to support the Syria Humanitarian Fund ($4 million) and the Turkey Humanitarian Fund ($1 million), which are working to deliver immediate life-saving assistance throughout Syria, as needs emerge.
NGOs - $7 million in additional funding to four NGO partners for the provision of comprehensive health services, including sexual and gender-based violence and sexual and reproductive health services; water, sanitation and hygiene services; and protection services.
Note: For security reasons, NGO partners working inside Syria are not publicly named.
International Organization for Migration (IOM) - $500,000 to the IOM for the implementation of an inter-agency humanitarian mechanism to prevent and respond to sexual exploitation and abuse by aid workers.
Lebanon - $2 million
UNICEF - $2 million in additional funding in Lebanon for the provision of emergency water and sanitation services to vulnerable households, including refugees living in informal settlements.
Contacts
Justine Lesage
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of International Development and La Francophonie
343-203-5977
justine.lesage@international.gc.ca
Media Relations Office
Global Affairs Canada
343-203-7700
media@international.gc.ca
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