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On Friday, Foreign Affairs Minister Marc Garneau and International Development Minister Karina Gould announced that Canada is providing additional humanitarian funding of $ 7 million to the World Food Program, the Ethiopia Humanitarian Fund, in United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs and the International Committee of the Red Cross to support humanitarian operations in Ethiopia.
Canada remains deeply concerned about the ongoing conflict in the Tigray region of Ethiopia and the resulting humanitarian crisis which continues to worsen.
Current assessments by the United Nations and local authorities indicate that 5.2 million people in Tigray (90% of the population) are now in need of humanitarian assistance. This funding will help meet critical food needs resulting from the conflict. Canada’s new contribution will also provide other forms of life-saving assistance, such as health care, support for victims of sexual violence, emergency shelter and basic household items, water and sanitation, and protection. It will also support the coordination of humanitarian intervention in the region.
Citations
“CANADA CONTINUES TO CALL FOR AN IMMEDIATE Cease-fire on the part of all parties to the conflict in Tigray. AS THE HUMANITARIAN SITUATION ENSURES IN THE REGION, CANADA CONTINUES TO WORK WITH ITS PARTNERS TO MEET THE IMMEDIATE AND ESSENTIAL NEEDS OF THE MILLION CIVILIANS AFFECTED BY THIS CRISIS. ”
– MARC GARNEAU, MINISTER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS
Canada continues to call for an immediate ceasefire on the part of all parties to the conflict in #Tiger. As the humanitarian situation worsens, Canada continues to work with our partners to meet immediate and essential needs. https://t.co/a0WoYxy80I
– Marc Garneau (@MarcGarneau) June 18, 2021
“WITH EVERY DAY THAT GOES ON, THE SITUATION GETS BETTER FOR THE MILLIONS OF PEOPLE AFFECTED BY THE CONFLICT IN TIGRE. THEY NEED URGENT HELP BECAUSE THEIR LIVES HAVE BEEN ENDANGERED AND THEIR LIVELIHOODS HAVE BEEN DISTURBED BY THE CRISIS. CANADA’S SUPPORT WILL PROVIDE Much-needed relief. ”
– KARINA GOULD, MINISTER OF INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Quick Facts
- The outbreak of the conflict between the government of Ethiopia and the Tigray People’s Liberation Front on November 3, 2020, led to a rapid deterioration of the humanitarian situation affecting both Ethiopia and neighboring Sudan.
- Two lost growing seasons have led to catastrophic levels of food insecurity, with the region facing a credible and growing risk of famine.
- As a result of the conflict, the region’s health infrastructure suffered extensive damage and destruction. Humanitarian and medical workers, their means of transport and medical facilities continue to be attacked.
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