Crisis in Lebanon: Donations to the Humanitarian Coalition will be matched by the Government of Canada to provide emergency assistance

OTTAWA – The Humanitarian Coalition commends the commitment of the Canadian government to match the donations made to provide assistance to the Lebanese people, after the disaster that devastated the city of Beirut, Lebanon.

It is estimated that the explosion on August 4 of a warehouse in the port of Beirut has left at least 100 people dead, and thousands injured. More than 300,000 people have lost their homes.

In response to this disaster – complicated by an already critical situation in the country – the Honourable Karina Gould, Minister of International Development, announced this morning that the donations from individual Canadians made to the Humanitarian Coalition or one of its 12 members before August 24 would be matched by the government, up to a maximum of $2 million.

“This announcement comes as hundreds of thousands of people in Lebanon, already affected by the pandemic and precarious economic situation, have been pushed over the brink by this week’s devastating explosion. This opportunity for Canadians to double the power of their donation comes at a critical juncture, when immediate assistance is needed. We hope it will be used widely to support the people of Lebanon,” said Oxfam Canada Interim Executive Director Kate Higgins.

Members of the Canadian public can make a donation to provide emergency assistance to the people of Lebanon securely online at www.together.ca, or by phone at 1 800 464-9154.

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Editors notes:

• Spokespeople from the member organizations of the Humanitarian Coalition, as well as their teams on the ground in Lebanon, are available for interview in French and English.
• The Humanitarian Coalition brings together leading aid organizations to provide Canadians with a simple and effective way to help during international humanitarian disasters. The following agencies are members of the Humanitarian Coalition: Action Against Hunger, Canadian Foodgrains Bank, Canadian Lutheran World Relief, Care Canada, Doctors of the World, Humanity & Inclusion, Islamic Relief Canada, Oxfam Canada, Oxfam-Québec, Plan International Canada, Save the Children, and World Vision.

For more information or to arrange an interview please contact:

Paula Baker
Media Relations
Oxfam Canada
(613) 240-3047

Marg Buchanan
Communications Manager
Humanitarian Coalition
(514) 627-3932