Canada announces $30 million in aid to Gaza after stopping its contribution to UNRWA

TORONTO, Canada – Canada announced on Tuesday that it will allocate 40 million Canadian dollars (30 million US dollars or 27.5 million euros) days after suspending its contributions to the United Nations Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA). .

The funds will be distributed among the United Nations World Food Programme, UNICEF, the United Nations Population Fund, the World Health Organization, the International Committee of the Red Cross and the United Nations Office for Coordination. For Humanitarian Aid (OCHA).

Canadian International Development Minister Ahmed Hussein indicated on Tuesday that the funds provided would go towards “urgent needs” resulting from the humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip due to the Israeli attack.

Hussein said in a statement that Canada believes “more aid is needed, not less.”

“Accordingly, we are responding with additional emergency funding so that our trusted and experienced humanitarian partners can continue to ensure that these funds reach the most vulnerable groups in their time of need,” he added.

Hussein was responsible for announcing last Friday that Canada would temporarily suspend its contributions to UNRWA after Israel accused dozens of the agency's 30,000 employees in connection with the Hamas attack in Israel on October 7.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's decision to temporarily suspend funding for the main agency providing humanitarian aid to the Palestinian population has been strongly criticized by experts, academics, activists and representatives of the Muslim community in Canada.

On Monday, the National Council of Canadian Muslims, the main group representing the country's Muslim community, abruptly canceled a meeting with Trudeau in protest of his government's actions.

Canada also said it did not accept the “rationale” of South Africa's genocide case against Israel at the International Court of Justice, and refused to ask Israel to adhere to preliminary measures required by the court to protect Palestinians.

Toronto (Canada) – Today, Tuesday, Canada expressed its support for Qatari mediation efforts to release hostages held by Hamas in the Gaza Strip, during a conversation with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. Prince Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani.

According to the Canadian Prime Minister's Office, Trudeau and Al Thani discussed the situation in Israel, the West Bank and the Gaza Strip “and the need for a path that ensures lasting peace for Israelis and Palestinians.”

The Canadian Prime Minister “reaffirmed” Canada's support for mediation efforts in the region, including those being developed by Qatar.

Trudeau also reaffirmed Canada's commitment to a two-state solution to the conflict and “affirmed the right of Israelis and Palestinians to live in peace, security, dignity and without fear.”

The two leaders indicated that they were deeply concerned about the “terrible humanitarian situation” in the Gaza Strip, and defended the need to respect international humanitarian laws and ensure that humanitarian aid reaches the Strip.