Canadian Foodgrains Bank welcomes extension of Syria Emergency Relief Fund

By Canadian Foodgrains Bank and ChristianWeek | January 8, 2016

WINNIPEG, Man. -- With millions of Syrians in Lebanon, Jordan and Turkey in urgent need of assistance, Canadian Foodgrains Bank welcomes an extension to the Canadian government’s Syria Emergency Relief Fund.

The extension, which now runs until February 29, was announced January 7 in Ottawa by the Honourable Marie-Claude Bibeau, Minister of International Development and La Francophonie.

For every eligible dollar donated by individual Canadians to registered Canadian charities in response to the conflict in Syria, the government will continue to set aside one dollar—up to a total of $100 million—to the Fund.

“We welcome the extension of the government matching program for Syria,” says Jim Cornelius, Executive Director of Canadian Foodgrains Bank.

“While we are encouraged by the generosity of so many Canadians and congregations who are helping to sponsor Syrian refugees to come to Canada, it is also vital that Canadians continue to remember and support the millions of displaced Syrians still living in the region who need our assistance. Finding resources to support displaced families inside Syria and those who have fled to surrounding countries is more urgent that ever.”

Since 2012, the Foodgrains Bank has provided over $30 million of assistance to Syrian refugees living in Lebanon and Jordan, as well as people inside Syria.

Through the Fund, the Government of Canada will provide assistance through international and Canadian humanitarian organizations to help meet basic humanitarian needs of people affected by the conflict in Syria, including shelter, food, health care and water. It will also provide protection and education for conflict-affected people in Syria and millions of refugees in Jordan, Lebanon and Turkey.

Minister Bibeau made the announcement along with representatives from Canadian Foodgrains Bank, the Canadian Red Cross, CARE Canada, Development and Peace, Oxfam Canada, Plan Canada, Save the Children Canada, UNICEF Canada and World Vision Canada.

To make a donation to help Syrian refugees in the region through the Foodgrains Bank, go to www.foodgrainsbank.ca