Canada announces $175 million in aid for Syrians

By Barry Ellsworth

TRENTON, Canada (AA) - Canada announced Tuesday it will give CAN$229.15 million (US$175.99 million) for humanitarian and development assistance to Syria this year.

Accompanying the announcement from Global Affairs Canada was a message of "thanks" to Turkiye and a few other countries for "their generous support in hosting so many Syrian refugees."

The Refugees Association reported that Turkiye has provided aid to almost 4 million Syrians.

"As of April 21, 2022, the number of Syrians under temporary protection registered in Turkey increased (to) a total of 3,762,385 million people," the association reported on its website.

The funds from Canada target CAN$169.15 million (US$130 million) in humanitarian aid to "help crisis-affected people meet their basic needs, including by providing food assistance, protection, water sanitation and hygiene and health services."

The balance of the funds will support "development assistance in the region."

Canada Minister of International Development and Pacific Development Harjit Sajjan said the funds are urgently needed.

“As we enter another year of conflict in Syria, millions of people still require urgent help," Sajjan said in a statement. "From providing clean water and nourishing food to providing support for sexual and reproductive health and rights, Canada will be there for those who have been impacted by this conflict.

"We must work to end this terrible humanitarian disaster."

The new money brings to over CAN$4 billion (US$3 billion) for the Syrian regions committed by Canada since 2016, the Global Affairs release said.

The announcement was made as Canada attended the sixth conference in Brussels, Belgium on supporting the future of Syria and the region, May 9-10.

Along with Turkiye, Canada also thanked Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon and Egypt for their aid to Syrians.