Canada supports the humanitarian efforts to provide emergency food assistance to those in need
August 21, 2014 – Ottawa, Ontario - Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development Canada
Today, the Honourable Christian Paradis, Minister of International Development and La Francophonie, announced assistance to address humanitarian needs in Gaza, following the issuance of new humanitarian appeals.
“Our government will continue to support the Palestinian people by helping to alleviate their humanitarian needs. We call on Hamas to immediately end the violence and allow the delivery of humanitarian assistance to the people of Gaza which can only happen if they cease-fire,” said Minister Paradis. “Canada mourns the loss of life in Gaza and Israel and hopes that Palestinians and Israelis will one day soon realize true peace and security.”
This funding to the World Food Programme will contribute to the distribution of emergency ready-to-eat food and food vouchers for internally displaced people. Assistance is expected to reach 230,000 in Gaza.
"By providing direct and tangible aid, such as emergency food delivery, Canada is choosing its assistance in ways to ensure Hamas cannot divert Canadian dollars towards terrorist activities. Canada will continue to implement rigorous mechanisms and work with trusted international organisations on the ground to ensure emergency assistance is delivered to civilians in need,” said Minister Paradis. “We will not allow Canadian taxpayer money to cross-subsidise the renewal of Hamas or the rebuilding of its tunnel network, after all the innocent deaths - Palestinian and Israeli - that the group has caused."
Sandrine Périon
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of International Development and La Francophonie
343-203-6238
sandrine.perion@international.gc.ca
Media Relations Office
Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development Canada
343-203-7700
media@international.gc.ca
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