Canada announces $10 million in humanitarian aid for Lebanon

Canada is providing $10 million in humanitarian aid for civilians in Lebanon as the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah escalates.

International Development Minister Ahmed Hussen announced the measures on Saturday in a press release, which said the money would help provide food, water and emergency health care, including sexual and reproductive health care.

It states that this funding is in addition to the $10 million already allocated for the crisis in Lebanon by the United Nations Central Emergency Response Fund, of which Canada is a donor.

Hezbollah, which Canada considers a terrorist organization, confirmed Saturday that its leader and one of its founding members were killed in an Israeli airstrike in Beirut’s southern suburbs.

Israel has vowed to increase pressure on Hezbollah until it stops the attacks, which have displaced tens of thousands of Israelis from communities near the border with Lebanon.

The press release announcing Canada’s humanitarian funding also called for an immediate 21-day ceasefire on the Lebanese-Israeli border.

“With today’s funding announcement, Canada’s partners will be able to scale up their efforts to help people in urgent need,” Hussen said in a news release. “We call for an end to violence in Lebanon and for all parties to protect civilians and humanitarian workers from harm and to respect their obligations under international humanitarian law.”

Hezbollah began firing rockets at Israel in support of Gaza on October 8, a day after Hamas militants carried out an unprecedented attack on Israel, killing about 1,200 people and abducting another 250.

The release said Canada continues to monitor the situation in Lebanon and remains in close contact with humanitarian partners to assess and respond to evolving needs.

“Canada stands in solidarity with the people of Lebanon affected by this conflict and we are committed to helping provide them with the humanitarian assistance they need,” Foreign Minister Mélanie Joly said in a press release.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 28, 2024