International Development Minister Ahmed Hussen and Liberal MP Omar Alghabra made the first visit by a Canadian delegation to the border region between Turkey and Syria since the fall of the Bashar al-Assad regime in Syria.
During the visit, Minister Hussen announced $17.25 million in funding for humanitarian assistance, including clean water and food, protection, sanitation and health services.
The two politicians also visited Qatar, where they met with that country’s Minister of State for International Cooperation to discuss their role in helping the Syrians.
In Saudi Arabia, they met with the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs and the Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council to discuss “common goals for regional peace and security.”
And in Türkiye, MM. Hussen and Alghabra met with the Deputy Foreign Minister to discuss the changing landscape in the Middle East.
Mr. Hussen says the ongoing conflict in Syria has left millions of people in urgent need of assistance and that Canada’s funding will help provide essential supports.
-Last month, Bashar al-Assad fled to Russia after opposition forces seized Damascus, marking the end of his family’s 50-year control of the country.
According to Global Affairs Canada, more than 250,000 people have died in the Syrian conflict which began in 2011.
Minister Hussen affirms that Canada stands in solidarity with the Syrian people and those of neighboring countries and that his government will continue to work to remedy the consequences of the conflict.
Alghabra called the conflict “a pivotal moment for Syria, the region and the world,” adding that after decades of conflict, Syrians have an opportunity to build an inclusive and prosperous society.
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