Feds to match donations for African, Mideast famine relief
OTTAWA — Aid agencies are urging Canadians to respond generously to the federal government’s matching fund for famine relief in Africa and the Middle East, calling it a response to the worst humanitarian crisis in decades.
The federal government said Monday it would match donations made by Canadians to registered charities to create a famine relief fund for more than 20 million men, women and children who are at risk of starvation.
International Development Minister Marie-Claude Bibeau said the fund would support Canadian and international organizations working to provide assistance in Nigeria, Somalia, South Sudan and Yemen and neighbouring regions.
Conrad Sauvé, the president of the Canadian Red Cross, said he recently returned from East Africa, where a cholera outbreak is adding to the misery.
“Children can’t go to school and adults can’t go to work because their days are devoted to one thing: survival,” Sauvé said.
“Life has become a daily struggle for food and water.”
Gillian Barth, the president of CARE Canada, said the search for water and food is driving people to the brink in affected countries.
“Make no mistake, people have been dying, people are dying and people will continue to die. But thousands, if not millions, of lives can be saved.”
Bibeau said the government’s window to match donations is from March 17 to June 30.
Millions of people in the four affected countries and neighbouring regions are in need of necessities including water, sanitation services, shelter and food assistance, Bibeau added.
Bibeau urged Canadians to donate to the registered Canadian charities of their choice.
“As we gather among friends and family to celebrate Canada’s 150th birthday, let’s take a moment to think about the role and the difference we want to make in the world.”
“Canada’s leadership cannot come at a more critical time,” said Julie Delahanty, executive director of Oxfam Canada.
Meg French of UNICEF Canada said the matching funds would allow aid to reach twice as many children and families in the affected areas.
In March, Canada announced $119.25 million in humanitarian funding to respond to food crises in Nigeria, Somalia, South Sudan and Yemen.