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Government of Canada renews support for Development and Peace to deliver humanitarian aid in Syria, Jordan and Lebanon

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Syria
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Development and Peace — Caritas Canada
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Funding of $28.5 million over three years will fulfill both urgent and medium-term needs in conflict-affected areas.

Thursday, March 3, Montreal, Quebec—As the sixth anniversary of the Syrian conflict approaches, Development and Peace—Caritas Canada is pleased to announce the continued support of Global Affairs Canada for the organization’s humanitarian aid and sustainability efforts in the Middle East.

The three-year funding of $28.5 million, which will bring relief and hope to nearly 200,000 people, is allocated to Development and Peace as follows:

•Syria – $8.5 million to assist conflict-affected Syrians via psychosocial services and support in earning a livelihood; rural conflict-affected women will also receive training on how to create household vegetable gardens and sustain productive animals. (36,800 people)

•Jordan –$12 million to provide emergency health assistance, including psychosocial services and maternal/neo-natal care. (160,000 people)

•Lebanon – $8 million to support the delivery of emergency health care, psychosocial assistance and vocational training. (41,000 people)

“With the help of its partners Caritas Lebanon and Caritas Jordan, as well as partners in Syria, Development and Peace has been working to alleviate the intense suffering of crisis-affected Syrians, Jordanians, Lebanese and Iraqis living through the hardship of war since 2011” says Serge Langlois, Executive Director of Development and Peace—Caritas Canada. “We are extremely pleased that this time, the Government of Canada affirmed its funding for three years as it will permit a more strategic use of resources and ensure a more effective humanitarian response.”

Development and Peace’s funding was announced by the Honourable Marie-Claude Bibeau, Minister of International Development and La Francophonie on Monday, February 27, as part of the Government’s commitment to providing $239.5 million in humanitarian and development assistance in the Middle East.

“Millions of people displaced by the conflict in Syria and Iraq still need our help. Some are returning home to devastated cities and villages. Many more struggle with basic needs in host communities across the Middle East. Canada will continue to uphold their dignity and speak out for the most vulnerable, including women and girls, who are among the most severely affected by this tragedy,” says Minister Bibeau.

Development and Peace is a member of Caritas Internationalis, an international network of more than 160 Catholic development organizations, and the second largest humanitarian network in the world.

The organization’s mission is to support partners in the Global South who promote alternatives to unfair social, political and economic structures, to educate the Canadian population about the causes of poverty and to mobilize Canadians for social change. Development and Peace has been active in its campaign for peace in Syria by calling on the Canadian government to do everything in its power to protect civilians in Syria and to end the conflict.

Development and Peace’s humanitarian aid efforts in the Middle East are made possible through its dedicated partners in the Middle East.

“Caritas Jordan is grateful for its enduring partnership with Caritas Canada and the ability to bring medical and psychological support to Syrians, Iraqis and Jordanians who are severely affected by this long conflict,” says Wael Suleiman, Executive Director Caritas Jordan. “This three-year commitment from the Government of Canada allows us to improve our planning, providing the consistent support and services needed for people to rebuild their lives.”

“Caritas Lebanon thanks the Government of Canada and Development and Peace for this renewed funding that will allow us to continue providing essential services to conflict-affected people in Lebanon,” says Dr. Rita Rhayem, General Director of Caritas Lebanon. “These services are more in demand than ever as the conflict persists impacting the local communities and refugees, and increasing the need for assistance.

The Government of Canada has been supporting Development and Peace’s humanitarian aid efforts in the Middle East since 2006.