FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
The Canadian Council for International Co-operation applauds federal investment of $8M to help global fight against COVID-19
OTTAWA, On, March 20, 2020 – The Canadian Council for International Co-operation (CCIC) welcomes today’s federal government announcement of $8M to the World Health Organization, the Pan-American Health Organization, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees and the International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies to fight the spread of the coronavirus in developing countries.
Today’s announcement initiates implementation of last week’s federal commitment to provide $50M in international assistance to the World Health Organization and other partners in response to the COVID-19 crisis. This is part of the government’s $1.1-billion financial investment to fight the pandemic both domestically and abroad.
This commitment acknowledges that while investing in domestic systems is essential, the fight against a global pandemic on the scale of COVID-19 also requires that Canada contribute to global responses. Canadian investment in development aid supports the sustainability and success of Canada’s own health care system.
“We are seeing so clearly this week that what happens elsewhere affects us all,” said Nicolas Moyer, CEO of CCIC. “With a pandemic like this one, the global response is only as strong as the weakest link in a network of public health systems. Even as we respond at home to protect Canadians, many people living in highly vulnerable conditions around the globe also need and deserve our attention.”
Canada’s continued investment in international assistance during this time will help those most vulnerable to the impact of the virus—those living in poor countries with weak public health systems—while also helping to prevent its further spread and entrenchment. CCIC and its members in Canada’s international cooperation community look forward to continuing to work with the federal government to support global efforts to address and contain COVID-19.
CCIC member organizations are hard at work around the globe providing assistance to communities at risk in this pandemic.
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About the Canadian Council for International Co-operation (CCIC):
The Canadian Council for International Co-operation (CCIC) is Canada’s national association representing international development and humanitarian organizations. Together with our member organizations, CCIC seeks to end global poverty and to promote social justice and human dignity for all. CCIC is committed to making this goal a public priority and to encouraging the actions necessary to make a poverty-free world a reality.
Media Contact:
Kat Guerin, Communications Manager
[email protected]
Phone: 613–241-7007 ext. 343
Cell phone: 613-222-3009
Media Availability: March 20 after 2 p.m. EDT
Nicolas Moyer, CEO
[email protected]
Phone: 613-241-7007 ext. 323
Cell phone: 613-796-8145