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 Media Room - Speeches and Statements
Stockholm conference on Lebanon's early recovery––Canadian detailed statement
Canada is pleased to join our international partners in taking this important step from conflict to recovery. We believe the implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 1701 is the best way to provide the people of Lebanon and Israel with the security and peace they need and deserve.
This meeting allows us to offer practical support to the Government of Lebanon as it assumes sovereign control over its territory and responsibility for the well-being of its people.
It also allows us to recognize the tireless efforts of governments, the United Nations and non-governmental organizations that have been working to rebuild people's lives and communities in the region.
The Government of Canada is pleased to have made an early contribution to the humanitarian relief efforts with an allocation of $30.5 million. We will continue to contribute to stabilization, recovery and reconstruction efforts, in support of UN Security Council Resolution 1701. Canada will work in coordination with the Government of Lebanon, the United Nations (UN), the Red Cross, and other aid donors to ensure that assistance and reconstruction efforts are effective. Our humanitarian support delivered to date totals $9.5M. It includes support for water and sanitation, food, primary health care, psycho-social support, power restoration, logistics and coordination. It has been channeled through trusted partners with the operational capacities to get assistance quickly and effectively to those who most need it. These partners include UN agencies such as UNICEF and the World Food Programme, as well as the International Committee of the Red Cross and Canadian NGOs.
Canada is also supporting the international efforts to clean up the oil spill along the coast of Lebanon. Canada has provided the services of a helicopter to UNEP to conduct an aerial assessment of the areas affected. We are deploying a Canadian expert to support the clean-up effort and will contribute $2 million for the clean-up and for recovery activities in the fishery sector. Canada is also paying particular attention to the remnants of war––landmines, antipersonnel mines and unexploded ordnance. We will dedicate up to $1.5 million for mine action and unexploded ordnance clearance.
Canada will continue as well to support the Lebanese people through our ongoing cooperation program. Areas of support include social development and governance, in particular electoral and fiscal reform. In recent years, Canada has contributed to the reform of the electoral system, provided Canadian observers for the elections and helped reform the tax system.
It is important to ensure that the people of Lebanon and the region can rebuild their lives and communities in a context of sustainable peace and security. Canada will be a generous, reliable and committed partner in working towards these goals.
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