Canada commits $100 million for humanitarian aid for people of Iraq
http://www.acdi-cida.gc.ca/cida_ind...636a2afa0f8e6b1e85256cf400585a09?OpenDocument
(2003-28) News Release
March 26, 2003
Ottawa Ā The Honourable Susan Whelan, Minister for International Cooperation, today announced that Canada, through the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA), has committed $100 million in humanitarian assistance for the people of Iraq.
"Today's contribution demonstrates our commitment, on behalf of Canadians, to provide humanitarian assistance to the Iraqi people," said Minister Whelan. "There will be an immediate allocation of $20 million to UN humanitarian agencies, the Red Cross and to CARE Canada. This funding will help to ensure that war-affected Iraqis have access to clean water and proper sanitation, food and shelter and primary health care."
CIDA will continue to work in cooperation with these organizations to plan and deliver humanitarian support to the Iraqi people, in the most timely and efficient way possible.
"We are monitoring the situation closely and are in regular contact with our partners and our missions in the region," said Minister Whelan. "The UN and international humanitarian aid agencies are extremely concerned about the impact of the conflict on Iraqi civilians, and are taking measures to respond to humanitarian needs. Canada is committed to support their work."
To date, the Government of Canada has disbursed $5.6 million, in response to the UN's Preparedness Measures Appeal of December 2002.
Funding for these initiatives was provided for in the February 2003 federal budget and therefore is built into the existing fiscal framework.
For more information regarding the funding allocations, please see the attached backgrounder.
- 30 -
Information:
Marta Anderson
Director of Communications
Office of the Minister for International Cooperation
Telephone: (819) 953-6238
Media Relations Office
Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA)
Telephone: (819) 953-6534
E-mail:
[email protected]
Canadian humanitarian aid to Iraq
The Government of Canada, through CIDA, is taking action to provide humanitarian assistance to the people of Iraq. CIDA is working with United Nations organizations and other multilateral institutions to plan the delivery of humanitarian aid in Iraq, and is assessing appeals from humanitarian agencies as received.
A contribution of $5.6 million from Canada, in response to the UN preparedness appeals, has already been provided to the following agencies:
$2.9 million to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) to provide assistance and protection to refugees and asylum seekers;
$1.6 million to United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) to support activities which provide emergency health, nutrition, water and sanitation assistance, education and child protection;
$1 million to the World Food Programme (WFP) which provides emergency food assistance to refugees and other vulnerable people, as access permits;
$100,000 to the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) to establish effective coordination of humanitarian assistance activities.
An additional $20 million has been allocated in answer to the first round of appeals being received from humanitarian agencies following the outbreak of conflict in Iraq:
$4 million to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR);
$4 million to UNICEF;
$6.3 million to the World Food Programme;
$600,000 to the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA);
$3.5 million to the International Committee of the Red Cross to provide protection, medical care and material assistance to victims of the conflict within Iraq;
$1 million to the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, which will work with the UNHCR to provide assistance to Iraqi refugees in neighbouring countries;
$600,000 to CARE Canada for an emergency water supply initiative in urban areas in Iraq when access is safe and permitted.
Since 1990, CIDA has provided over $40 million, including the recent $5.6 million contribution to UN preparedness activities, in humanitarian assistance to vulnerable people inside Iraq and to those displaced to neighbouring countries through UN agencies, the Red Cross Movement, and non-governmental organizations.
Third, the Beer was good, bring more!
