Canada to pledge $274M in aid for UN humanitarian agencies

Canada will provide $274 million in aid for UN humanitarian and development groups, Minister of International Development and LaFrancophonieMarie-ClaudeBibeau announcedin a statementSunday.

The announcement comes a day before the UN World Humanitarian Summit in Istanbul, Turkey, which Bibeauwill attend.

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The aid will go towards agencies that "will strengthen emergency response, child protection in humanitarian crises and long-term resilience to food insecurity."

Funds will also be directed to the Central Emergency Response Fund, which provides assistanceto those affected by "lesser-knownnatural disasters and armed conflicts around the word."

"Canada will continue to lead the way in developing and supporting innovative humanitarian programs," Bibeausaid in a statement."We are committed to making every dollar count to ensure the poorest and most vulnerable, especially women and girls, receive the care, assistance and protection they need to thrive."

The pledge comes amid a drought in Ethiopiaand food and water shortages in Venezuela.

Severe drought leaves many Ethiopians in survival mode

8 years ago

Duration 2:48

In Africa, a difficult dry spell has become the worst drought in decades. Crops and livestock are dying, leaving millions of people malnourished and more desperate each day.