Ottawa has announced $84 million in new funding for humanitarian assistance in Syria and is taking steps to temporarily ease sanctions imposed on the former Assad regime, saying this will facilitate aid delivery and support the country’s political stabilization.
The funding response to the crisis in Syria will provide humanitarian aid, including food, health care, protection services, clean water, and sanitation, Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly said in a March 12 joint statement with International Development Minister Ahmed Hussen. The new amount will bring Canada’s total humanitarian aid to Syria this year to more than $100 million.
“Canada expresses its deep concern about the egregious violence that is occurring in Syria over the past few days in the Tartus, Latakia and Homs provinces,” reads the statement. “We remain committed to ensuring that vital humanitarian aid reaches those in need.”…