(Vatican Radio) The Canadian bishops’ humanitarian agency, with support from the Canadian
government’s Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development, will provide $5.4
million in aid to victims of the Syria crisis.
The funds are slated for health
services, sanitation and shelter for the internally displaced in Syria and for Syrian
refugees in Lebanon and Jordan.
The Canadian Catholic Organization for Development
and Peace is getting its aid to those in need through its partnerships with Caritas
Lebanon, Caritas Jordan and local organizations in Syria.
“The Catholics of
our country have been very generous in responding to the appeal by Pope Francis and
the bishops of Canada, and in showing support for the hundreds of thousands of people
affected by the war in Syria,” said Archbishop Paul-André Durocher, president of the
CCCB.
Michael Casey, executive director of Development and Peace, stated that
Syria represents “one of the worst refugee and humanitarian crises happening in the
world today”.
With few signs of the crisis ending, the organization has stated
it will continue to support those affected with funds raised through its appeal.
The
crisis to date has created two million refugees in neighbouring countries and an estimated
five million displaced people within Syria.