Ottawa — The Honourable Josée Verner, Minister of International Cooperation and Minister for La Francophonie and Official Languages, and the Honourable Peter MacKay, Minister of Foreign Affairs, today announced Canada's response to the United Nations (UN) Flash Appeal, which was launched earlier this week, for humanitarian assistance for the people of Lebanon. The Government of Canada, through the Canadian International Development Agency, is providing $5 million to UN agencies in response to the Appeal.

"I am very concerned about the civilian population in Lebanon, who are enduring tremendous hardship as a result of the current situation," said Minister Verner. "This humanitarian assistance will provide people with food, primary health care services, access to drinking water and sanitation and hygiene support—in other words, the basic necessities of life."

"The evolving situation in Lebanon is of great concern to the Government of Canada and has far reaching impacts on the civilian population," said Minister MacKay. "A key part of Canada's contribution to the UN Flash Appeal for Lebanon will be to support humanitarian agencies in carrying out programs to feed and shelter people caught in the conflict. Ensuring safe and unimpeded access for humanitarian personnel is critical."

For more information on the funding allocation, please refer to the enclosed backgrounder and for more information on Canada's development and humanitarian assistance in the Middle East, please visit CIDA's website at the address listed below.

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Canada's assistance to the United Nations' Flash Appeal for Lebanon

• $1 million will provide emergency food assistance to people affected by the conflict in Lebanon.
• $750,000 will contribute to the logistics operations for the Lebanon Crisis.

• $750,000 to UNICEF and WHO for provision of primary health care services.
• $750,000 to UNICEF for the provision of adequate water and sanitation support to southern areas of the country affected by the conflict.