Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has announced an additional $25 million in aid to help the people of Beirut after the massive explosion last week that turned the spotlight on Lebanon.
After previously pledging $5 million, this addition will bring the total to $30 million in aid to help Beirut recover.
The donations are made to trusted sources, like the Lebanese Red Cross, to ensure assistance goes where it is needed most, e.g. medical assistance, food, shelter, and so on.
The Canadian government is also matching donations from citizens with a cap of $5 million maximum, which would mean another $10 million in aid to Lebanon.
According to the Minister of International Development Karina Gould, Canada will also be at Lebanon’s side in its rebuilding efforts.
I join Canadians across the country to mourn those who were lost in last Tuesday’s tragic explosion in Beirut, and to offer sincere condolences to their families and friends as they grieve this tragedy. I also encourage Canadians to donate to the Lebanon Matching Fund, and we will continue to match your generous donations. Together, we can support the people of Lebanon as they work to heal and rebuild.
– Prime Minister Justin Trudeau
To help the people of Lebanon right now, and to make sure they have what they need in the longer term, Canada will provide another $25 million in humanitarian assistance. We will also continue to match your donations, now up to a maximum of $5 million. https://t.co/L1F8Uj0nEd
— Justin Trudeau (@JustinTrudeau) August 11, 2020
Canada was one of the first among many friendly countries to respond to this unfortunate disaster. Hundreds of thousands of Lebanese people live in Canada and are an integral part of Canadian society, and Canada recognizes that.
The Lebanese-Canadians are heartbroken over Beirut but are not staying idle in their sorrow. They have prompted into action to help.
In addition to personnel efforts of fundraising and collecting in-kind aids, many of their restaurants are donating part of their sales, and the Lebanese business leaders in Canada formed a coalition to raise $2.5 million for their homeland.
