Men pass a building destroyed in an Israeli air strike in Dahiyeh, in the southern suburbs of Beirut on Tuesday.Bilal Hussein/The Associated Press
Canada is committing $37.7-million to embattled Lebanon as the country bears the brunt of a continuing conflict between Israel and Hezbollah with residents killed and wounded, and hospitals damaged.
Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand, Immigration Minister Lena Metlege Diab and Randeep Serai, secretary of state for international development, announced the support Thursday during a news conference at the House of Commons.
Mr. Serai said Canada would work with such humanitarian partners and non-government agencies as Oxfam-Québec, the Red Cross, UN agencies, and Humanity and Inclusion Canada to ensure that the aid goes where it is most needed.
The assistance was announced amid the consequences for Lebanon of the U.S.-Israeli attacks on Iran. In addition to hitting Iran, Israel has been exchanging fire with the Iranian-backed militia Hezbollah near the southern suburbs of Beirut.
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“The $37-million that we are announcing today recognizes that this conflict has placed enormous strain on the Lebanese people, who have unwillingly been drawn into the violence,” Ms. Anand said.
“Because of this conflict, families are suffering and are displaced. Food and clean-water insecurity is rising. Hospitals and critical health care infrastructure are closing.”
Ms. Metlege Diab, meanwhile, noted that Canada has committed about $700-million to support the stability and resilience of Lebanon since 2016 as part of a durable partnership that she said would continue.
The minister said Canada stands with the people of Lebanon and also supports diplomatic efforts to reduce tension and promote stability throughout the region.
Asked about strikes by Israel into Lebanon, Ms. Anand noted that Prime Minister Mark Carney has said that the territorial integrity of Lebanon must be respected.
“In addition, we have to remember that Hezbollah is listed as a terrorist entity in Canada. It is an Iranian proxy in the region, and it is acting reprehensibly in the region and needs to stop this violence.”
Last Sunday, Mr. Carney spoke with Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam. According to a summary released by Mr. Carney’s office, the Prime Minister expressed support for the clarity of the decision taken by the Government of Lebanon to outlaw Hezbollah and members of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps in the country.
“As a long-time partner of Lebanon, Prime Minister Carney committed Canada’s humanitarian support to Lebanon and the wider region as needs rapidly increase,” said the summary.
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Ms. Anand also said she would be travelling to Turkey in the coming days, and meeting with her counterpart there. In addition, she said she will be speaking with counterparts from other countries as well.
She said she would be emphasizing the needs of Canadians in the Mideast as well as the need for de-escalation and the protection of civilian lives and civilian infrastructure.
Earlier Thursday, Ms. Anand said she would be meeting with her G7 counterparts in Paris on March 24 and 25.
“We will continue with diplomacy, humanitarian aid, and support for Canadians in the region,” she told journalists ahead of the weekly cabinet meeting.
Since Feb. 28, nearly 8,000 Canadians, permanent residents and family members have returned to Canada through direct and indirect routes from the Middle East, a government news release says.
The Government of Canada, it says, has facilitated the departure of nearly 1,000 Canadians and permanent residents from the region to a safe third country.