cooperation canada_fullcolour_rgbpng
Public Joint Statement on Sudan

Public Joint Statement on Sudan

by | Aug 27, 2024 | Humanitarian Assistance, News

Dear Minister Joly, Dear Minister Hussen,

Today marks 500 days since violent conflict erupted in the capital of Sudan, triggering widespread violence and instability across the country and the broader region. This conflict has devastated millions of lives, resulting in unimaginable loss, physical and emotional suffering, and prevalent violations of human rights. Women and children remain particularly vulnerable within this context.

According to the most recent figures, over half of the population of Sudan (26 million) faces acute hunger, with the conflict pushing the State’s communities into famine conditions. The hunger crisis has had significant impacts on women and girls, including increased rates of gender-based and sexual violence. It is believed that 10.7 million people are now internally displaced in Sudan, and UNHCR estimates that an additional 220,000 refugees and refugee returnees have left Sudan since the eruption of conflict between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in mid-April 2023. In total, 52% of those displaced are children, with over 2 million under five years old. 

Prior to this conflict, Sudan had already been facing its worst humanitarian crisis in recent history. Existing localized conflict, natural disasters, disease outbreaks, hunger, and economic degradation had already threatened the lives and futures of millions of children. In the past year alone, the number of people needing humanitarian support has increased by 58%. This is exacerbated by Sudan’s increasingly volatile security situation, which is now one of the most dangerous and complex environments for delivering humanitarian aid.

We acknowledge that the Government of Canada has taken action in response to the situation in Sudan, namely by imposing sanctions on key figures contributing to the conflict and announcing $132.2 million in international assistance funding, including $100.7 million for humanitarian aid and $31.5 million for development assistance. 

However, given the rapidly escalating needs of Sudan’s population, we urge the Government of Canada to increase coordinated efforts to end hostilities, ensure humanitarian access to respond to the needs and work toward reconciliation. 

We call on the Government of Canada to:

    1. Demonstrate strong political leadership by increasing diplomatic engagement to secure a ceasefire and a durable political settlement and supporting diverse Sudanese civil society groups, including youth and women-led organizations, in the peace process.
    2. Prioritize new funding allocation for issues related to forced displacement, protecting civilians, upholding human rights, and providing emergency relief, including food assistance, healthcare, and shelter.
    3. Promote humanitarian access through diplomatic pressure to secure the delivery of humanitarian goods and services necessary to alleviate the suffering of Sudanese civilians, especially women and girls.
    4. Consider a nexus approach that takes into account both the immediate and anticipatory needs of the Sudanese people, ensuring that current responses are aligned with the long-term ramifications of this crisis and requirements for development, rehabilitation, peacekeeping, and reconciliation.
    5. Increase the focus on child protection through dedicated resources to support programs to prevent child rights violations. Efforts should include a gender-transformative approach, ensuring protection for girls who are facing increased risks of gender-based and sexual violence, kidnapping and forced marriage. 

We thank you, Minister Joly and Minister Hussen, for your urgent consideration of these recommendations. We remain available for any further discussions with you and your respective Ministries.

 

Sincerely,

Kate Higgins, Chief Executive Officer, Cooperation Canada

Usama Khan, Chief Executive Officer, Islamic Relief Canada

Lindsay Glassco, Chief Executive Officer, Plan International Canada

Sevaun Palvetzian, President and Chief Executive Officer, UNICEF Canada

Guy Smagghe, Director, Presbyterian World Service & Development

Andy Harrington, Executive Director, Canadian Foodgrains Bank

Carl Hétu, Executive Director, Development and Peace – Caritas Canada

Mahmuda Khan, Global Chief Executive Officer, Human Concern International 

Michael Messenger, President and Chief Executive Officer, World Vision Canada

Onome Ako, Chief Executive Officer, Action Against Hunger Canada

Taryn Russell, Acting Executive Director, Results Canada 

Richard Morgan, Executive Director, Humanitarian Coalition

Danny Glenwright, President and CEO, Save the Children Canada

Rano Mansurova, Country Representative, Acted Canada 

Lisa Breton-Kletke, Acting Chief Executive Officer, Canadian Lutheran World Relief

Anne Delorme, Executive Director, Humanity & Inclusion Canada

Lauren Ravon, Executive Director, Oxfam Canada

While Parliament Rests for the Summer, Gaza Bleeds: Canadian Humanitarian Agencies Call for Action

While Parliament Rests for the Summer, Gaza Bleeds: Canadian Humanitarian Agencies Call for Action

by | Jun 20, 2024 | Humanitarian Assistance, News, Statement

OTTAWA, 19 June 2024 – As Parliament breaks for summer, Canada’s leading humanitarian agencies held a press conference today on Parliament Hill to call on the Government of Canada to take urgent and decisive actions to press for an end to the war in Gaza and prevent further mass atrocities. 

Since October, we have witnessed the death of tens of thousands of innocent civilians in Gaza, including a record number of targeted attacks on humanitarian workers. Palestinians, including our own teams and partners, face attacks, relentless bombing and continual forced displacement. Those who survive risk dying from hunger, dehydration, and sickness due to the denial of clean water, fuel, healthcare and food. Under the threat of imminent famine, children are dying of malnutrition, with numbers only projected to grow, due to the intentional obstruction of humanitarian aid by Israeli authorities. 

The deliberate blocking of aid, coupled with the ongoing indiscriminate violence and targeted attacks against civilians and civilian infrastructure — clear violations of international humanitarian law — have culminated in an unprecedented and fully preventable humanitarian catastrophe, which can and must come to an end. 

In the last 8 months, we have seen the Government of Canada demonstrate their ability to take effective positive action on several instances, including its vote in favor of a ceasefire on December 6th at the UN General Assembly and the motion adopted on March 18th to stop arms transfers to Israel. Now again, as Parliament rises for the summer, is the time for Canada to take further decisive actions that match statements in support of international law. 

Today, our 13 organizations called on the Canadian government to urgently: 

  • Ensure the complete halt of all arms transfers to Israel, including those already agreed to prior to January 8, 2024; 
  • Adopt robust diplomatic measures to pressure Israel to abide by the International Court of Justice order to stop the obstruction of humanitarian assistance; 
  • Join third-state efforts to press all parties to this conflict to accept and immediately implement the ceasefire resolution adopted by the UN Security Council on June 10, and ensure no new occupation or territorial modification of Gaza; 
  • Concretely support, through robust funding and firm public statements, support for humanitarian access and assistance, with UNRWA as its cornerstone.

Right now, while Parliament and Canadians prepare for their summer break, this human-made humanitarian crisis deteriorates exponentially. Our teams on the ground continue to do everything in their capacities to assist civilians desperately in need of protection and aid. We urge our Canadian government to do the same. 

Quotes from the press conference speakers:

Danny Glenwright, Save the Children’s President and CEO said: “It is appalling that children are dying because of malnutrition, dehydration and disease – deaths that sufficient humanitarian access would have prevented. Their deaths are the result of aid restrictions, ongoing fighting, and insufficient action from the international community to enforce international humanitarian law. Save the Children calls for an immediate and definitive ceasefire, it is the only way to save lives in Gaza. There is no alternative.”

Béatrice Vaugrante, Oxfam-Québec Executive Director, said: “It is unacceptable that we are collectively letting famine set in across Gaza, and allowing humanitarian action to be made nearly impossible by persisting bombings, aid access denials, and targeting of humanitarian facilities and personnel. Every red line in the respect for basic principles of human dignity has been crossed. Third states cannot give up their efforts to prevent further catastrophe, including long-lasting obstacles to a sustainable solution. Canada and other UN members must make clear that Israel’s occupation of the whole of Gaza must come to an end under the proposed ceasefire deal, as well as the West Bank, including East Jerusalem.” 

Darryl Loewn, Executive Director Mennonite Central Committee Manitoba: “Can you help us help?” This was the call we received in October from partners in Gaza in response to the emerging humanitarian crisis and devastating violence. Since then, they have not stopped responding, nor have they stopped asking us to act to end violence and increase the impact of their work. We also witness concern from Canadians of faith and their desire to see everyone, in Gaza, the West Bank, and Israel, living in peace and dignity. This is a fully preventable catastrophe. As Mennonites, to call for peace and justice is a part of our work. We urge the Canadian government to help us help by doing everything in their power to act for an end to violence, including pushing for a ceasefire and full delivery of aid, and halting arms transfers.”

Anne, Delorme, Executive Director of Humanity & Inclusion Canada, “We call on the Government of Canada to put pressure on all Parties to the conflict to reach a ceasefire. The use of explosive weapons in populated areas has led to 37,000 deaths and 85,000 severely injured. These injuries include loss of limbs and brain trauma that will lead to long term disabilities for a generation of Palestinians.   The use of explosive weapons in Gaza also threatens the lives of humanitarian aid workers, impeding their ability to respond adequately and quickly to the vast and growing needs of civilians.”

Usama Khan, CEO of Islamic Relief Canada said, “Palestinians in Gaza do not have the luxury to take a break or step away from what is happening to them. Aid organizations have been tirelessly underscoring the urgency of this situation and just how catastrophic each passing day has been. Enduring over 250 days of forced starvation, dehydration and incessant bombing, Palestinians face an intolerable reality. They can not bear to witness another day of this, let alone another few months. The Canadian Government needs to take clear, concrete and urgent action now. “

Paul Farran, Cooperation Canada’s Director of Policy and Advocacy said: “Coming out of the G7 held last week, Canada and other G7 countries deplored all losses of civilian lives equally, and noted with great concern the unacceptable number of civilian casualties especially women and children. These words must be followed up on with concrete actions to ensure the consistent respect of human life and dignity. No party to any conflict bears the right to systematically and repeatedly violate international law.”

Quotes from endorsing organizations calling for decisive action:

“As signatories to this urgent call for action, IDRF stands firm in demanding decisive measures from Canada to translate its statements into meaningful actions. The time for rhetoric alone has passed; it’s now about tangible, life-saving actions.” – Mahmood Qasim, CEO, IDRF

“We refuse to be silent witnesses while Israël is intentionally killing tens of thousands people with bombs and denial of life-saving assistance including vital health care. It is time for Canada to move beyond words, and concretely do everything in its power to stop the mass killing of civilians and other grave international humanitarian law violations we are witnessing on a daily basis.” – Nadja Pollaert, Executive Director, Doctors of the World Canada

“How many innocent Palestinians dead, injured, traumatized and in famine will it take for Israel to stop this collective punishment? When will Israel’s allies say, ‘enough is enough,’ and that international law must be respected and applied? Our partners are risking life and limb to deliver precious food, water and medicine to people who have nowhere left to run. In their name, we say that the blockades and bombings must stop now! It is Canada’s responsibility to press for a permanent ceasefire; to unequivocally support the ICJ and ICC; and to help build a just peace plan under which Israel and Palestine can coexist in dignity as equals.” – Carl Hétu, Executive Director, Development and Peace – Caritas Canada 

“Canada must step up its efforts to end the violence and ensure Canadian humanitarian relief charities can safely deliver aid to those in desperate need. We cannot afford to be silent or passive; our actions today will determine the fate of countless innocent lives. We urge the Canadian government to uphold its commitments to international law and human rights by taking bold and immediate steps to alleviate this crisis.” – Mahmuda Khan, CEO, Human Concern International

“Israel’s deliberate destruction and blocking of aid has made it impossible for humanitarian agencies like Oxfam to provide life-saving assistance in Gaza. The withholding of aid from civilians and the targeting of aid workers is in direct violation of International Humanitarian Law. Canada must demonstrate its commitment to human rights and justice by demanding an immediate and unconditional ceasefire and ensuring humanitarian aid can reach those in need.” – Lauren Ravon, Executive Director, Oxfam Canada.

“Children are always the innocent victims in any conflict and suffer the most. Every child has the right to live without violence and fear, a right that the global community must protect. Right now, there is nowhere safe for civilians inside Gaza. Plan International Canada condemns all violence and calls for an immediate and unconditional ceasefire from all parties involved. Canada must urgently intervene to halt the grave violations of international humanitarian law occurring in Gaza.” – Lindsay Glassco, President and CEO, Plan International Canada

“The blockade of aid into Gaza resulting from the ongoing conflict in the region has deprived Palestinians of their basic human rights and caused unimaginable suffering – particularly on women and children. We cannot stand by while millions of lives hang in the balance. The Government of Canada needs to take decisive actions to ensure the unhindered delivery of humanitarian aid and an immediate ceasefire,” – Barbara Grantham, ICD.D, President and CEO, CARE Canada

CARE Canada 

Development and Peace – Caritas Canada

Doctors of the World Canada

Humanity and Inclusion

Human Concern International

Islamic Relief Canada

Mennonite Central Committee Canada

Mennonite Central Committee Manitoba 

Oxfam Canada

Oxfam-Québec

Plan International Canada 

Save the Children
The International Development and Relief Foundation 

For all media queries, please contact:

Doctors of the World Canada: Mélissa Cabana, 514-799-8985, [email protected]

Humanity & Inclusion: Fatou Thiam, [email protected] 

Human Concern International: [email protected]

Islamic Relief Canada: Mashaal Saaed, 647-919-1580, [email protected] 

Mennonite Central Committee: Laura Kalmar, [email protected] 

Oxfam Canada: Laveza Khan, External Affairs Specialist, 613-240-4157, [email protected] 

Oxfam-Québec: Elisabeth Simard, 514 265-0119 [email protected] 

Plan International Canada: [email protected] 

Save the Children: Julie Marshall, Senior Manager, Media, 905 818 2664 [email protected]

Cooperation Canada’s statement on the crisis in Gaza, West Bank and Israel

Cooperation Canada’s statement on the crisis in Gaza, West Bank and Israel

by | Oct 13, 2023 | Humanitarian Assistance, News, Statement

Cooperation Canada is horrified by the escalating violence and loss of life in Gaza, West Bank and Israel, and sympathizes with the victims and their families. We are deeply concerned by the worsening humanitarian crisis and call for an immediate end to the violence. 

Cooperation Canada urges all parties engaged in the conflict to respect International Humanitarian Law and uphold it to its fullest. Civilian safety and well-being must be the top priority. Parties in the conflict must refrain from targeting civilians, as well as schools, hospitals, and other vital civilian infrastructure. 

We applaud the Government of Canada’s announcement of $10 million in funding for humanitarian assistance to address urgent humanitarian needs resulting from the crisis, announced yesterday by the Honourable Ahmed Hussen, Minister of International Development. We encourage Canada to play a leading role in advocating for safe, swift, and unobstructed humanitarian access to affected regions, allowing crucial assistance like water, food, fuel, and health supplies to reach the people in dire need. 

Our thoughts are with those affected by this violence and crisis, and we urge leaders to pursue a peaceful resolution that guarantees the safety of all those affected. 

Aid for Afghanistan Coalition Statement: The Passage of Bill C-41, An Act to Amend the Criminal Code and to Make Consequential Amendments to Other Acts

Aid for Afghanistan Coalition Statement: The Passage of Bill C-41, An Act to Amend the Criminal Code and to Make Consequential Amendments to Other Acts

by | Jun 21, 2023 | Humanitarian Assistance, News

The Aid for Afghanistan Coalition welcomes the adoption of Bill C-41 as a first step in enabling Canadian aid organizations to provide crucial humanitarian assistance in Afghanistan and other similar contexts. This legislation is needed to give Canadian aid organizations a path forward to ensure those who are in need of assistance receive it, regardless of where they are located. 

Over the past two years, Canadian aid organizations have advocated for the removal of barriers to much needed aid in places including Afghanistan, where Canadian aid organizations have been unable to work since the Taliban took control in August 2021.  

We believe that Bill C-41 is a step forward to allowing Canadian aid organizations to operate in a neutral, impartial and independent manner in these exceptional circumstances.  

We welcome the inclusion of a humanitarian exemption in Bill C-41, which covers a broad range of humanitarian work permitted under international law. These activities are vital for improving access to health care, ensuring access to food, water and sanitation, education, the protection of detainees and protecting human dignity. 

Looking ahead, there is more work to be done.  In the longer term we encourage movement away from requiring aid organizations to seek specific permission to operate and allow for a provision in legislation to ensure swift and efficient assistance to places where and when it is needed most. 

The Coalition will continue to work closely with partners to monitor the implementation of Bill C-41 and to ensure that it is done in a clear and effective way.  We look forward to sharing these observations at the Bill’s one-year review mark. 

We thank all Canadians who used their voice to help champion this issue. We know that humanitarian needs continue to grow, and assistance is needed now, more than ever. 

 

 

Canadian Red Cross 

World Vision Canada  

Islamic Relief Canada 

Canadian Women for Women in Afghanistan 

Save the Children Canada 

Cooperation Canada 

Canadian Foodgrains Bank 

Presbyterian World Service & Development 

Humanitarian Coalition

Mennonite Central Committee Canada

Oxfam Canada 

Oxfam-Québec  

Plan International Canada  

Development and Peace – Caritas Canada 

Canadian Partnership for Women and Children’s Health (CanWaCH) 

CARE Canada

#AidforAfghanistan Coalition of 18 Organizations Responds to Government Plan to Amend Criminal Code

#AidforAfghanistan Coalition of 18 Organizations Responds to Government Plan to Amend Criminal Code

by | Mar 9, 2023 | Humanitarian Assistance, News, Press Release

March 9, 2023 (OTTAWA) Today, the Canadian government introduced Bill C-41, amending the Criminal Code to allow Canadian aid organizations to provide humanitarian support in Afghanistan without the fear of criminal prosecution. This is a critical and important step toward protecting the ability of humanitarian organizations to provide neutral and impartial aid in Afghanistan and other complex crises.

This action will bring Canada into better alignment with other nations such as Australia, the U.K. and the United States. In response to the introduction of this legislation, the #AidforAfghanistan Coalition of 18 leading Canadian organizations said:

“We welcome today’s announcement by the Government of Canada. We are encouraged that this step forward will not only support the need for humanitarian organizations to operate in Afghanistan, but also in similar contexts.

Today’s announcement is an important step forward in the right direction toward finding a permanent solution for the countless Afghan women, children and families who are counting on international aid and assistance to survive.

In the weeks to come, we look forward to engaging in constructive dialogue and working together with all parties to ensure these amendments are passed effectively and efficiently to allow Canadians to provide critical humanitarian aid and assistance to the people of Afghanistan and other countries with similar contexts.”

Under the #AidforAfghanistan campaign, we have worked to raise awareness of the impacts of regulatory barriers and their chilling effect. Such restrictions have prevented us from getting life-saving assistance to the most vulnerable during Afghanistan’s deepening humanitarian

crisis. In recognition of the need to allow for life-saving humanitarian assistance in Afghanistan, close to 10,000 Canadians have signed letters targeting their local MP, the Prime Minister, and the Ministers of Foreign Affairs, International Development, Justice and Public Safety.

Over the past eight months, we have worked with legal experts, Afghan Canadians, and women’s organizations to engage in constructive dialogue with all parties, who have all affirmed their commitment to ensuring that legislation must be amended to allow Canadian organizations to help the people of Afghanistan.

With today’s announcement, we look forward to continuing to work with all parties in the House of Commons to ensure that the solution allows for a definition of activities that is broad enough to encompass targeted gender programming, including education and healthcare for girls, food, shelter, clothing, and human rights work. We also call on all parties to work collaboratively to ensure this solution comes to fruition quickly.

The humanitarian situation inside Afghanistan today is dire. Over half of the population is in need of humanitarian assistance and there is a severe lack of food, medicines and essential supplies. This has resulted in grave impacts including an increase in child marriages and people taking extreme actions to survive. The people of Afghanistan need humanitarian aid, and they need it now.

Canada’s investment in Afghanistan over the last two decades has contributed to immense progress–particularly advances in gender equality. Canada has a long history of support for Afghanistan and the Afghan people and Canadians are particularly concerned for women and children, who have been increasingly vulnerable during the last 19 months.

Today’s proposed legislative change is a critical first step toward ensuring Canada’s legacy in Afghanistan continues in that spirit of support and commitment and to allowing Canadian organizations and our millions of supporters across Canada to once again provide desperately needed support to Afghan women, children and communities.”

 

For all media queries, please contact:

  1. Canadian Red Cross: (1-877-599-9602)
  2. Islamic Relief Canada: Reyhana Patel [email protected]
  3. Save the Children: Tiffany Baggetta [email protected]
  4. World Vision Canada: Lisa Baldock [email protected]
Afghansitan-image