Cablegate: Prime Minister Announces New Lebanon Relief Fund
VZCZCXRO3523
PP RUEHGA RUEHHA RUEHQU RUEHVC
DE RUEHOT #2467 2291900
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 171900Z AUG 06
FM AMEMBASSY OTTAWA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 3507
INFO RUCNCAN/ALL CANADIAN POSTS COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
RUEHXK/ARAB ISRAELI COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
UNCLAS OTTAWA 002467
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
STATE FOR WHA/CAN AND NEA
USAID FOR ANE AND DCHA
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EAID ECON PREL PREF PGOV LE CA
SUBJECT: PRIME MINISTER ANNOUNCES NEW LEBANON RELIEF FUND
REF: OTTAWA 2205
1. (U) Summary: On August 16, Prime Minister Harper
announced that Canada will give C$25 million to Lebanon
reconstruction and relief efforts. C$15 million will be
largely directed to UN agencies and the ICRC and C$10 million
will support stabilization efforts and provide civilian
support for implementation of UNSCR 1701. This aid
supplements Canadian aid for Lebanon announced in recent
weeks totalling C$5.5 million. End Summary.
2. (U) On August 16, Prime Minister Harper announced the
creation of a C$25 million Lebanon Relief Fund to respond to
relief, early recovery, and stabilization needs in Lebanon.
Harper said that "as a leader on the international stage,
Canada has a responsibility to help those suffering from
circumstances beyond their control. Today's announcement is
about doing just that - bringing urgent relief to people by
ensuring the availability of much-needed supplies."
3. (U) The two-year fund will be used to respond to requests
by the Red Cross Movement, the United Nations and other
multilateral organizations and NGOs to address Lebanon's
post-ceasefire needs. It will also enable Canada to
undertake targeted stabilization and reconstruction
activities, as called for in UNSCR 1701.
4. (U) In response to the United Nations Flash Appeal,
Canada on July 28 allocated C$500,000 in support of the
International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). Canada is
also providing C$5 million to UN agencies, distributed as
follows:
a) C$1.75 million to the World Food Program (C$1 million for
emergency food assistance and C$750,000 for logistic
operations during the Lebanon crisis);
b) C$750,000 to UNICEF for providing adequate water and
sanitation support in south Lebanon;
c) C$750,000 to UNICEF and WHO for providing primary health
care services;
d) C$1 million to UNHCR for providing emergency assistance to
displaced persons and refugees in Lebanon and neighboring
countries;
e) C$500,000 for the establishment of a United Nations Joint
Logistics Center to provide logistics coordination and
support for humanitarian activities in Lebanon; and
f) C$250,000 to the Office of Humanitarian Affairs for
coordinating the humanitarian response.
5. (U) Canada has also supported the efforts of humanitarian
agencies in Lebanon to reach those in need, including the
transport by sea of humanitarian personnel and over 140 tons
of relief supplies.
6. (U) As reported in reftel, Canada on July 20 announced an
initial C$1 million humanitarian donation to Lebanon. This
pledge is included in the C$5.5 million allocation announced
eight days later. Canada's aid is provided through the
Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA).
Visit Canada's Classified Web Site at
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/wha/ottawa
WILKINS