We welcome new funding, commitment to humanitarian principles for Syria response

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The Humanitarian Coalition welcomed the Government of Canada’s announcement earlier today of increased humanitarian funding for Syrian refugees and neighbouring communities in the Middle East.

As important, we were pleased to hear Minister of International Development and La Francophonie Marie-Claude Bibeau state that the humanitarian aid component of Canada’s commitment to the Middle East would respect the four humanitarian principles: humanity, neutrality, impartiality and independence. She noted that this aid would not be tied to the other parts of Canada’s plan for the region, specifically its military operations.

“The sole purpose of humanitarian assistance is to prevent and alleviate suffering, and that must be done independently of any political, economic or military objectives,” says Nicolas Moyer, Executive Director of the Humanitarian Coalition. “We have discussed this matter with the government and it is reassuring to hear these principles being respected. Embracing these principles enables humanitarian actors to access some of the most high-risk and insecure environments in order to reach those most in need.”

While the Government of Canada has committed to continue to find a political solution to the Syrian Crisis, we would urge them to work quickly towards a solution. Nearing the end of its fifth year, the Syrian Crisis can only be seen as a failure by the international community in protecting the most vulnerable and those in need. 

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