Canada pumps aid to Philippine conflict zone

Canada has announced it is providing additional Cad$1.25 million (roughly P43 million) in humanitarian assistance to support those living in conflict areas in Mindanao.

The Canadian embassy said the funding would be coursed through the Action Against Hunger (ACF) and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and would be used largely for improving food security, health, living conditions, livelihood and emergency-preparedness in Zamboanga and Maguindanao.

The funding forms part of the Canadian government’s commitment of Cad$ 331.5 million in humanitarian support for the world’s most vulnerable, as recently announced by Canada’s Minister of International Development Marie-Claude Bibeau at the World Humanitarian Summit in Istanbul, Turkey.

“Canada’s support will help meet immediate life-saving needs and address unprecedented humanitarian challenges including those in the Philippines,” Canadian Ambassador Neil Reeder said.

The new funding will help the most vulnerable in more than 32 countries, including the Philippines. Support will be provided to 25 humanitarian partners, including a variety of United Nations humanitarian agencies, the Red Cross and non-governmental organizations, as well as Canadian organizations that are addressing complex humanitarian situations.

“Given the size of current humanitarian needs, Canada is committed to working with all partners – including those at the local level – to combine our strengths and maximize the impact we have on humanitarian crises. We are especially concerned with women and girls, who are often the most vulnerable in crises. That is why they are at the heart of Canada’s humanitarian response,” Reeder added.

Of the funds, Cad$ 500,000 will be provided to the ACF to improve food security for more than 3,000 people displaced by conflict in Zamboanga and Maguindanao. The assistance will include the provision of unconditional cash grants to meet the basic needs of those displaced, focusing on assisting pregnant and lactating women and households with children aged 6-23 months, as well as quick impact livelihood support through cash transfers and appropriate training.

“ This is another significant step in lifesaving and humanitarian assistance with the support of the government of Canada especially to conflict-affected people in Zamboanga and Maguindanao. This makes Canada’s support very unique and strategic in such a critical situation,” ACF International country director Javad Amoozegar said.

The Cad$ 750,000 in assistance to the ICRC will provide medical care and physical rehabilitation to detainees and weapon-wounded patients through six ICRC-trained/supported health facilities.