The Honourable Ahmed Hussen, Minister of International Development, has concluded a trip to Egypt and Jordan from February 19 to 22, 2024, that focused on Canada's support for humanitarian and development programming in the region and provided him with the opportunity to hear first-hand about the devastating situation on the ground in Gaza. This included receiving an update directly from humanitarian workers operating in Gaza.
Minister Hussen met with various government officials and representatives of organizations and partners in Egypt and Jordan to discuss the humanitarian situation in Gaza and how to get more assistance to those in need. He reaffirmed Canada's support to vulnerable civilians, including through the recent announcement of an additional $40 million in humanitarian assistance funding. This brought Canada's total commitment to $100 million, making Canada the third-largest donor to the region since October 7, 2023.
Minister Hussen reiterated Canada's steadfast calls for compliance with international humanitarian law and for the immediate release of all hostages. He also underscored Canada's calls for a humanitarian ceasefire in order to protect civilians and to allow for far more assistance to reach Gazans.
Minister Hussen met with representatives of key humanitarian organizations and partners, including Save the Children, Humanity & Inclusion, Care Canada, the World Food Programme, the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, UNICEF, the United Nations Development Programme, the United Nations Population Fund, and the UN Women and the World Health Organization, to discuss their work in Gaza and share concerns over humanitarian access and distribution of assistance.
In Egypt, Minister Hussen met with Nivine El Kabbag, Minister of Social Solidarity and Vice President of the Egyptian Red Crescent. They discussed the logistical challenges associated with delivering assistance into Gaza and the impact of the conflict on Egypt. Minister Hussen also had the opportunity to travel to Al-Arish and visit the Egyptian side of the Rafah crossing to Gaza, where he observed the challenges related to humanitarian access and response coordination.
In Jordan, Minister Hussen saw Canada's humanitarian supplies in Jordan being sent to Gaza through the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement to address the urgent needs of Palestinians. He also visited Canada-funded project sites, including a public school and a daycare in Amman and solar and entrepreneurial farms in the Jordan Valley.
