August 27, 2020 - Beirut, Lebanon - Global Affairs Canada
Canadians have shown time and again how generous they can be in times of need. This willingness to help when a crisis strikes is why the Government of Canada announced that it would match donations made by individuals to help the Lebanese people following the devastating explosion in Beirut on August 4.
Meeting with Lebanese, Canadian and international humanitarian partners today in Beirut, the Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Foreign Affairs, announced that the Government of Canada will match, dollar for dollar, the full $8 million in donations made through the Lebanese Matching Fund as a result of the generosity of Canadians. These funds help meet essential food, water, health and other critical humanitarian needs.
Global Affairs Canada will transfer the funds to the Humanitarian Coalition, which will in turn allocate the funds among its members based on criteria such as their capacity and presence on the ground.
Officially hosted in Lebanon by his counterpart, Charbel Wehbe, Minister Champagne met with Michel Aoun, President of Lebanon, and with representatives from the United Nations, the Lebanese Red Cross, and other civil society organizations. He also spoke with family members of the two Canadians killed in the explosion.
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