Ottawa – Canada wholeheartedly recognizes that Palestinian civilians’ need for humanitarian assistance is growing by the hour. The scale of the humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip continues to require our urgent attention and immediate response. We must ensure that Palestinian civilians who need life-saving assistance receive it quickly.
Ahmed Hussen, Minister of International Development, announced that Canada is providing an additional $40 million in funding for humanitarian assistance to address urgent needs stemming from the ongoing crisis in the Gaza Strip. This funding will help Canada’s partners to provide food, water, emergency medical assistance, protection services and other life-saving assistance. The funds are being allocated as follows:
- World Food Programme: $16 million
- UNICEF: $6 million
- United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA): $5 million
- World Health Organization: $3 million
- International Committee of the Red Cross: $3 million
- United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA): $2 million
An additional $5 million will be allocated toward experienced Canadian non-governmental organization partners.
Following Canada’s recent announcement to temporarily pause additional funding to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), Canada will continue to work with the agency and other donors to support the investigation into the serious and deeply concerning allegations, while maintaining our commitment to helping the most vulnerable Palestinian civilians in the region. Justice for the heinous acts committed by Hamas terrorists should never come at the expense of innocent lives.
The safety and well-being of civilians remain a top priority. Canada remains steadfast in its call for compliance with international humanitarian law. We urge all parties to actively facilitate the swift and unobstructed passage of essential humanitarian relief to civilians in need as part of our collective responsibility to uphold the principles of humanity, dignity and protection for all. Canada was one of the first countries in the world to provide humanitarian assistance and will continue to do so going forward.
A humanitarian ceasefire is a necessary step to protect civilians and allow for far more humanitarian assistance to enter the Gaza Strip. Canada remains committed to the goal of a comprehensive, just and lasting peace in the Middle East, including the creation of a Palestinian state living side by side in peace and security with Israel.
“Since the very beginning of the crisis, our position has always been, and continues to be, centered on the firm belief that more assistance is needed, not less. In line with this commitment, we are stepping up with additional emergency funding so that our trusted and experienced humanitarian partners can continue to ensure this funding reaches the most vulnerable in their time of need.” – Ahmed Hussen, Minister of International Development