Syria

CIDA does not maintain a bilateral aid program in Syria.

Humanitarian assistance during the Syrian crisis

Since early 2011, the unrest in Syria has led more than 700,000 Syrians to seek refuge in the neighbouring countries of Jordan, Lebanon, Iraq, and Turkey, resulting in significant humanitarian needs. According to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs , up to four million people inside Syria, including two million who are internally displaced, are also in need of humanitarian assistance. It is estimated that 60,000 people have died in the ongoing conflict, with thousands more wounded.

Since January 2012, Canada, through CIDA, has allocated $48.5 million to international humanitarian assistance efforts in Syria and neighbouring countries. This assistance is delivered through experienced humanitarian partners, and has contributed to significant results on the ground.

In Syria, CIDA support has assisted:

• the United Nations World Food Programme to provide monthly food assistance to as many as 1.5 million conflict-affected Syrians
• the office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) to meet the basic needs of more than 300,000 people displaced from their homes
• the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement to provide clean drinking water to 1.1 million people by trucking in water and repairing damaged water infrastructure

In Turkey, CIDA support has helped:

• the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement to provide food, water, and shelter, and items such as hygiene kits, blankets, heaters, and winter clothing for as many as 170,000 displaced Syrians at the Turkey-Syria border

In Jordan, CIDA assistance has supported:

• UNICEF to provide clean water for washing and drinking to 60,000 people near the Jordan-Syria border

In Lebanon, CIDA support has assisted:

• the UNCHR to provide more than 30,000 Syrians fleeing the conflict with shelter and much-needed relief supplies

In Iraq, CIDA support has helped:

• UNICEF to distribute much-needed household, hygiene, and sanitation supplies to 20,000 refugees

Canada's assistance is helping to save lives, feed the hungry and protect those affected by the crisis.