Friday, July 28, 2006
Canada’s current humanitarian contribution to Lebanon grossly inadequate - Tuesday July 25, 2006
HALIFAX and HAMILT0N - NDP Foreign Affairs and International Development Critic, Alexa McDonough, MP (Halifax) and NDP Human Rights Advocate, Wayne Marston, MP (Hamilton East – Stoney Creek) today called on the federal government to increase its grossly inadequate contribution to the humanitarian relief efforts in Lebanon.
“The U.N. humanitarian chief Jan Egeland has made an emergency appeal for $150 million in humanitarian aid to help Lebanon through the next three months. As the conflict continues to escalate, the Lebanese people will need the sustained assistance of the international community,” said McDonough.
“The humanitarian needs in the region are immediate and will grow if the conflict continues. Given the extent of the destruction of infrastructure in Lebanon and Gaza where Israel also continues its military incursions and bombardments, humanitarian assistance will be needed long after this crisis passes,” said Marston.
Several countries have responded to the UN appeal; the US ($30 million), Saudi Arabia ($50 million), the United Arab Emirates ($20 million), Kuwait ($20 million) and Morocco($5 million), the latter having a slightly smaller population and a significantly smaller economy than Canada. This week Foreign Affairs Minister Peter MacKay announced a $500,000 contribution to the UN and another $500,000 to the Red Cross.
It is estimated that between 600 and 750 thousand Lebanese have fled from their homes. Several hundred Lebanese and others, including at least eight Canadians, have been killed in the conflict so far.
“Harper and MacKay have been slow to meet the expectations and needs of Canadians in the war zone. Harper and Mackay can avoid compounding one mistake with another by consulting with U.N. humanitarian chief, Jan Egeland, on the amount and type of contribution the UN needs from Canada,” added McDonough. “One thing is for certain, the Conservatives’ current commitment is nothing more than symbolic, and far less than what’s desperately needed,” concluded Marston.
“The U.N. humanitarian chief Jan Egeland has made an emergency appeal for $150 million in humanitarian aid to help Lebanon through the next three months. As the conflict continues to escalate, the Lebanese people will need the sustained assistance of the international community,” said McDonough.
“The humanitarian needs in the region are immediate and will grow if the conflict continues. Given the extent of the destruction of infrastructure in Lebanon and Gaza where Israel also continues its military incursions and bombardments, humanitarian assistance will be needed long after this crisis passes,” said Marston.
Several countries have responded to the UN appeal; the US ($30 million), Saudi Arabia ($50 million), the United Arab Emirates ($20 million), Kuwait ($20 million) and Morocco($5 million), the latter having a slightly smaller population and a significantly smaller economy than Canada. This week Foreign Affairs Minister Peter MacKay announced a $500,000 contribution to the UN and another $500,000 to the Red Cross.
It is estimated that between 600 and 750 thousand Lebanese have fled from their homes. Several hundred Lebanese and others, including at least eight Canadians, have been killed in the conflict so far.
“Harper and MacKay have been slow to meet the expectations and needs of Canadians in the war zone. Harper and Mackay can avoid compounding one mistake with another by consulting with U.N. humanitarian chief, Jan Egeland, on the amount and type of contribution the UN needs from Canada,” added McDonough. “One thing is for certain, the Conservatives’ current commitment is nothing more than symbolic, and far less than what’s desperately needed,” concluded Marston.
# posted by Francis Chartrand @ 10:11 AM 
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