News Release

From the Prime Minister's Web Site (http://www.pm.gc.ca/)

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Prime Minister announces new Lebanon Relief Fund

August 16, 2006
Ottawa, Ontario

Prime Minister Stephen Harper today announced the creation of a $25 million Lebanon Relief Fund to respond effectively to relief, early recovery, and stabilization needs in Lebanon.

“As a leader on the international stage, Canada has a responsibility to help those suffering from circumstances beyond their control. Today’s announcement is about doing just that – bringing urgent relief to people by ensuring the availability of much-needed humanitarian supplies,” said the Prime Minister.

The two-year fund will be used to respond to requests by the Red Cross Movement, the United Nations and other multilateral organizations and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) to address needs in Lebanon following the ceasefire. It will also enable Canada to undertake targeted stabilization and reconstruction activities, as called for in United Nations Security Council Resolution 1701.

Today’s announcement builds on Canada’s previous allocation of $5.5 million to humanitarian efforts in Lebanon. Canada has also actively supported the efforts of humanitarian agencies in Lebanon to reach those in need, including the transport by sea of humanitarian personnel and over 140 tonnes of relief items.

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BACKGROUNDER: CANADIAN ASSISTANCE TO LEBANON


Canada's Lebanon Relief Fund is intended to respond to relief, early recovery and stabilization needs in Lebanon. This two year fund will enable Canada to respond effectively to the evolving situation.

Approximately $15 million will be immediately allocated to United Nations agencies, the Red Cross Movement, and Canadian non-governmental organizations (NGOs) to provide for humanitarian, relief and recovery needs.

Approximately $10 million will be allocated to support stabilization efforts and to provide civilian support to the implementation of United Nations Security Council Resolution 1701.

In response to an international appeal issued in July, Canada allocated $500,000 in support of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). Canada also provided $5 million to UN agencies, which is being disbursed as follows:

$1.75 million to the World Food Programme;

$1 million will provide emergency food assistance to people affected by the conflict in Lebanon

$750,000 will contribute to the logistics operations for the Lebanon Crisis;

$1.5 million to UNICEF and the World Health Organization (WHO);

$750,000 to UNICEF and WHO for provision of primary health care services

$750,000 to UNICEF for the provision of adequate water and sanitation support to southern areas of the country affected by the conflict;

$1 million for the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees to provide emergency assistance to internally displaced persons and refugees in Lebanon and neighbouring countries;

$500,000 for the establishment of a United Nations' Joint Logistics Centre to provide logistics coordination and support for the humanitarian activities in Lebanon;

$250,000 to the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs for coordinating the humanitarian response.

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The Prime Minister’s Office - Communications
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