Backgrounder - Canada's response to the Syria crisis
Backgrounder
The Syrian war has raged since 2012 and has claimed over 400,000 lives. More than 4.6 million people have sought refuge in neighbouring countries, and a further 6.5 million people have been displaced inside Syria. Approximately 13.5 million people, including 6 million children, continue to need humanitarian assistance.
The International Syria Support Group comprises the Arab League, Australia, Canada, China, Egypt, the EU, France, Germany, Iran, Iraq, Italy, Japan, Jordan, Lebanon, the Netherlands, Oman, Qatar, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Spain, Turkey, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom, the United States, the United Nations and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation.
Canada is addressing the Syria crisis in multi-faceted ways.
Refugees
Syria’s neighbouring countries are struggling to cope with the influx of record numbers of refugees caused by the war. Canada supports these countries and is in the top tier of providers of humanitarian and development assistance in response to the ongoing conflict.
Canada has fulfilled its commitment, welcoming 25,000 Syrian refugees between November 4, 2015, and February 29, 2016, and will continue to accept more throughout 2016.
Overall assistance for Syria
Since the beginning of the conflict, Canada has committed over $1 billion in response to the Syria crisis. This includes $720 million in humanitarian assistance, $242 million in development assistance and $82 million in security-related assistance to the region.
Canada will contribute more than $1.6 billion over the next three years in a comprehensive and integrated approach to security, stabilization, humanitarian and development assistance, and enhanced diplomatic engagement in response to the crises in Syria and Iraq.
Security and stabilization support
Canada is providing security-related assistance to address the impact of the Syria crisis both in Syria and in the region. This includes $145 million over the next three years toward counter-terrorism; stabilization; and chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear security programming. Canada’s assistance will help mitigate the threat of chemical weapons and other weapons and materials of mass destruction, assist Jordanian security forces in managing the non-humanitarian aspects of the influx of Syrian refugees, and contribute to Jordan’s counter-terrorism capacity.
Humanitarian assistance
On April 13, 2016, Canada announced an additional $100 million in humanitarian assistance funding. This included $31.8 million to support UNICEF educational and protection initiatives, a sum that matched the contributions of Canadians through the Syrian Emergency Relief Fund. It also included $68.2 million to other humanitarian partners to meet basic food, shelter, water and health needs, including support for survivors of sexual and gender-based violence.
Development assistance
Canada is supporting development projects to help countries in the region cope with the impacts of the crisis in Syria, notably the influx of millions of Syrian refugees, and to address the long-term development challenges facing these countries, in particular through the delivery of basic services, such as education.
Search for related information by keyword
Hon. Stéphane Dion Global Affairs Canada Government and Politics