Today, the Honourable Ahmed Hussen, Minister of International Development, accompanied by Fayçal El-Khoury, Member of Parliament for Laval-Les Îles, Quebec, Lena Metlege Diab, Member of Parliament for Halifax West, Nova Scotia, as well as members of Canada's Lebanese community in Montréal, announced that Canada is providing $65 million in international assistance funding, including $27 million in humanitarian assistance funding and $38 million in development assistance funding to Lebanon.
Canada's humanitarian assistance to Lebanon will be delivered through experienced humanitarian partners and will help provide food assistance, safe water and sanitation services, basic health care-including sexual and reproductive health services-and protection services, including for survivors of sexual and gender-based violence.
The development funding is allocated as follows.
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations will receive $20 million to improve the performance and organizational capacities of farmers, farmers' groups and micro-, small and medium-sized enterprises in selected fruit and vegetable value chains and increase the resilience of these value chains in the face of climate and economic shocks to enhance food security in Lebanon.
The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) will receive $13 million to improve the economic security, stability and prosperity of women-led micro-, small and medium-sized enterprises and entrepreneurs in sectors with high growth and export potential. The project will strengthen financial, business, investment and export-readiness skills, helping these enterprises and entrepreneurs gain access to financial products and engage with local and international markets.
UN Women and the UNDP will receive $5 million to address constraints hindering women's participation and representation in decision-making processes and leadership positions in Lebanon. It will specifically support women in parliament and municipal councils to become leaders.
Canada and Lebanon share strong ties, and this year the 2 countries mark 70 years of diplomatic relations. Canada has a long history of working with Lebanon to promote women's empowerment, strengthen the resilience of individuals and communities so they can withstand crises and contribute to longer-term development. As part of its Middle East engagement strategy, Canada has since 2016 provided significant assistance to support Lebanon in recovering from political instability, the ongoing financial crisis and the COVID-19 pandemic and in hosting large refugee populations.
