Ottawa, Ontario - Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development Canada

Today, Christian Paradis, Minister of International Development and La Francophonie, announced additional Canadian support to address the dire humanitarian needs in northern Iraq.

"Canada continues to stand by the people of Iraq in these difficult times and condemns the terrorist actions of ISIS and the killing of innocent civilians in northern Iraq in the strongest possible terms," said Minister Paradis. "Canada will continue working closely with our allies to determine how we can best continue to support the needs of Iraqi civilians, particularly religious minorities."

Canada's assistance package will help alleviate the suffering of those affected by the ongoing conflict by distributing food, hygiene kits, cooking materials, blankets, tents, medical supplies and other essential supplies as well as making emergency repairs to essential water and sanitation facilities and improving access to information.

Months of clashes and isolation have made diminishing supplies of food, essential items and fuel, as well as irregular access to electricity and water, growing concerns. Health care services have been disrupted and communication channels cut in some areas. Canadian officials, including Canada’s ambassador who is now in Iraq, will continue monitor the situation and assess the security and humanitarian challenges.

Quick Facts

• Violence in the last two months has displaced an estimated 850,000 people in Iraq, bringing to 1.4 million the number of Iraqis who have been displaced since the start of the year. Since April 2013, violence has claimed the lives of more than 10,000 Iraqis, mostly civilians in the Baghdad area.
• Since the beginning of 2014, Canada has provided over $16M to respond to humanitarian needs in Iraq, of which $6.8 million is for populations affected by civil unrest and $9.5 million for Syrian refugees. On June 2014, Iraq was added to the list of Canada’s development country partners.
• ISIS, formerly known as Al Qaida in Iraq, has been listed as a terrorist group in Canada under the Criminal Code since August of 2012.

src:news.gc.ca