A coalition of Canada’s leading aid groups has launched an appeal for donations to help people in the Middle East impacted by the war against Iran.
The Middle East Emergency was launched March 16 by the Humanitarian Coalition, which represents 12 of Canada’s leading international relief and development organizations.
“The conflict is having devastating consequences,” said Tiffany Baggetta, executive director of the coalition. “The humanitarian needs are escalating rapidly.”
To date, over four million people have been affected by the war, including in Lebanon, Iraq, Syria and Turkey.
“The needs there are great and getting worse,” Baggetta said, adding the main focus for members is Lebanon, where around one million people have been displaced by Israeli attacks on Hezbollah targets.
Coalition members are responding by providing food, water, emergency medical care, temporary shelter and cash assistance.
One of the coalition’s members that is responding is Canadian Lutheran World Relief (CLWR).
“Families in Lebanon have run out of places to run,” said David Turner, who directs communications and donor relations for the organization. “Right now, there is such chaos, it’s hard for them to find someplace safe.”
Also responding is coalition member Islamic Relief Canada.
“Our faith teaches us that charity is an essential part of Islam,” said media relations specialist Houda Kerkadi. “Canadian Muslims have a responsibility to support our brothers and sisters, whether they live next door or on the other side of the world.”
For Andy Harrington, executive director of Canadian Foodgrains Bank, Lebanon was already in crisis before the war began.
“There were already high levels of food insecurity,” he said. Now, with the mass displacement of so many who are escaping the attacks, “the need is extreme.”
Unlike for some previous large emergencies, when the federal government matched donations to the coalition one-to-one, there won’t be a match this time, says Shanti Cosentino, director of communications for the Minister of International Development.
Instead, the government will provide over $37 million for aid to Lebanon for food, medical and health services, shelter and clean water. Of that total, $2 million will be provided to two members of the Humanitarian Coalition: Oxfam Canada and World Vision.
Baggetta is grateful to see the government stepping up.
“The need for critical aid in Lebanon is escalating by the hour, so it’s encouraging to hear that Canada is supporting the life-saving programs of our members,” she said. “These new funds will allow them to scale-up their responses.”
To donate to the appeal, visit the Humanitarian Coalition’s website.
