Canada announces next phase of response to crises in Syria, Iraq and the broader region
January 7, 2015 – Toronto , Ontario – Christian Paradis, Minister of International Development and La Francophonie, and Chris Alexander, Minister of Citizenship and Immigration, today announced increased support for conflict-affected Syrians and Iraqis. Minister Paradis announced additional humanitarian assistance to respond to the immediate needs of those displaced in the region, and Minister Alexander announced that Canada will welcome an additional 10,000 Syrian refugees and 3,000 Iraqi refugees.
The humanitarian situation facing displaced Syrians and Iraqis continues to deteriorate, with millions of people affected.
Canada will increase its humanitarian assistance to help provide conflict-affected people with shelter, clothes, food, emergency health care, and protection services, including from sexual and gender-based violence. This funding will help people affected by the Syrian crisis inside Syria and in other areas of the region, including Jordan, Lebanon and Turkey. It will also assist those affected by the ongoing crisis in Iraq.
Minister Paradis also announced a project in Iraq supported through the Religious Freedom Fund out of the Office of Religious Freedom. The project partners with the non-governmental organization Minority Rights Group International, and is focused on international advocacy and capacity building through training, publishing and helping minorities gain access to vital services.
Further to the current response to these crises, Canada will build on its existing and world-leading commitments to resettle Syrian and Iraqi refugees.
Minister Alexander highlighted that the government has surpassed a 2009 commitment to resettle 20,000 Iraqi refugees ahead of schedule. He also noted that since July 2013 more than 1,285 Syrian refugees have been approved for resettlement in Canada and more than 1,075 of those had already arrived by January 5, 2015. More than 2,480 Syrians have been granted protection in Canada through the asylum and resettlement programs since the start of the Syrian civil war in 2011.
Today’s commitment of 10,000 additional Syrian refugees will mean Canada is fulfilling 10 percent of the latest appeal from the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees to resettle 100,000 Syrian refugees worldwide. Syrian refugees will be resettled in Canada over the next three years, while the additional Iraqi refugees are expected to arrive by the end of 2015.
Additionally , members of the Canadian Armed Forces continue their commendable efforts as part of the international coalition against the terrorist group Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL). ISIL’s barbaric actions and murderous rampage have only heightened the risks faced by Syrian and Iraqi civilians.
Maxime Robert
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of International Development and La Francophonie
343-203-6238
maxime.robert@international.gc.ca
Media Relations Office
Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development Canada
343-203-7700
media@international.gc.ca
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Kevin Menard
Press Secretary
Minister's Office, Citizenship and Immigration Canada
613-954-1064
kevin.menard@cic.gc.ca
Media Relations
Communications Branch
Citizenship and Immigration Canada
613-952-1650
CIC-Media-Relations@cic.gc.ca
