The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) is extremely grateful to the People and the Government of Canada for their generous contribution of 100 million Canadian dollars in support of emergency relief activities for those affected by the Syrian crisis.
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The Liberal government’s long-awaited $100 million contribution to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees to help fleeing Syrians is destined for a half-empty worldwide aid bucket.
Refugees can take up to six years to pay, depending on the loan amount, and the interest rate this year was 1.38 per cent. In some cases, loans are interest-free for one to three years, and federal officials will make alternative arrangements if borrowers are having trouble making payments, according to Citizenship and Immigration Canada.
Bibeau said that, in addition to taking in refugees, Canada “can also make a difference in the region” by offering money to help those waiting to be resettled.
“It will be a quick release”. “The organizations providing support will get the support to provide the services they need”.
Dion noted the strain on Lebanon, which has a population of 4.5 million and has absorbed more than a million refugees. “We are proud to support this important effort that will provide help and hope to over 25,000 of the world’s most vulnerable citizens”.
It said McCallum said likely the first group will travel to Canada on a Canadian Air Force plane and the government will also look into the option of leased planes thereafter, but that logistics are still being finalized.
Speaking at a news conference in Ottawa, Marie-Claude Bibeau said the money will go toward providing food, clothing, medicine, schooling and other necessities for refugees in Syria, Lebanon, Jordan, Turkey, Iraq and Egypt, as well as helping European countries to deal with the influx of Syrian refugees.
He said he’s confident, however, that this won’t lead to another delay after this week’s Liberal announcement that it won’t be able to meet its promise of bringing in 25,000 Syrian refugees by New Year’s Eve and it will take to the end of February.
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Bibeau said that since the Syrian crisis began, Canada had committed over C$969 million in funds for humanitarian assistance, development projects and security and stability initiatives.
