Canada commits $229.15 million in support for people of Syria

Canada announced a committment of $229.15 million in funding for humanitarian and development assistance to Syria and the region this year.

The government says the Syrian crisis continues to affect millions of people in Syria and neighbouring countries since unrest began in 2011.

Of the $229.15 million, $169.15 million in humanitarian funding will help crisis-affected people meet their basic needs, including providing food assistance, protection, water, sanitation and hygiene services and health services- including sexual and reproductive health and rights, as well as responding to and preventing sexual and gender-based violence.

The government says the remaining $60 million will support development assistance in the region, with a focus on empowering women and girls, advancing gender equality, supporting effective and accountable governance, improving the quality of sustainability of gender-responsive social services including education, fostering economic growth and supporting climate change.

“Canada thanks Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, as well as Egypt and Turkey, for their generous support in hosting so many Syrian refugees. Canada is committed to continuing its work with the international community and Syrians to put an end to this crisis through a sustainable political solution,” said the federal government in a news release.

On May 9 and 10, Canada participated in the sixth conference in Brussels, Belgium, on supporting the future of Syria and the region. The government says the conference was on addressing the critical needs of millions across the region and supporting a lasting political resolution to the Syrian conflict.

“As we enter another year of conflict in Syria, millions of people still require urgent help,” said Minister of International Development and Minister responsible for the Pacific Economics Development Agency of Canada, Harjit S. Sajjan, in a statement. “From providing clean water and nourishing food to providing support for sexual and reproductive health and rights, Canada will be there for those who have been impacted by this conflict. We must work to end this terrible humanitarian disaster.”

Canada has committed over $4 billion in funding for the region since 2016.