Ottawa – Ahmed Hussen, Minister of International Development, concluded a visit to Jordan on May 12. The visit focused on Canada’s humanitarian assistance in the region and provided him with the opportunity to hear first-hand from humanitarian partners about the current situation in the Gaza Strip, including Rafah.
Minister Hussen met with His Royal Highness Prince Rashid bin El Hassan to discuss the humanitarian situation in Gaza, the urgent need to scale up assistance to vulnerable Palestinians, and the vital importance of the Jordanian Humanitarian Corridor for the delivery of supplies into Gaza.
Minister Hussen also met with the United Nations Resident Coordinator in Jordan and representatives of United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs and the World Food Programme to discuss their work in Gaza, and shared concerns over humanitarian access and distribution of assistance. Minister Hussen also travelled to the King Hussein Bridge Terminal and toured the border facilities where humanitarian truck convoys depart for Gaza.
“Canada actively supports Jordan’s efforts to deliver humanitarian assistance to Gaza, including through airdrops. The situation is dire for Palestinians, and countries like Jordan and our humanitarian partners are working tirelessly to respond to the crisis. We urgently need an immediate ceasefire, the release of all hostages, and more open entry points to get assistance into Gaza. All parties need to allow and facilitate rapid, unimpeded and safe passage of humanitarian relief for civilians in need, in accordance with international humanitarian law.” – Ahmed Hussen, Minister of International Development