June 4, 2015 - Ottawa, Ontario - Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development Canada
The Honourable Christian Paradis, Minister of International Development and La Francophonie, today issued the following statement:
"Canada joins United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon in deploring the expulsion from South Sudan of Toby Lanzer, United Nations Humanitarian Coordinator.
"Mr. Lanzer has dedicated himself tirelessly to bettering the plight of millions of South Sudanese who have become victims of ongoing internal conflict and violence in their country. Over a period of three years, his face has become familiar to internally displaced persons at UN Protection of Civilians sites, and he has also campaigned globally to raise funds for humanitarian needs, not just for use by UN agencies, but also for use by non-governmental actors who serve in South Sudan. Mr. Lanzer has been an example of everything the UN can and should be.
"Canada calls for Mr. Lanzer’s immediate reinstatement at this critical time. We also call upon the South Sudanese government to fulfill its commitment to facilitating the work of humanitarian workers in the country and, most important, to take steps toward peace."
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