Canada increases aid to civilians upto $7.5 million

Walter Jayawardhana

Canada announced that it would increase its aid for civilians upto $7.5 million after International Cooperation Minister Beverly J. Oda toured Sri Lanka.

She said: "This tragic situation for civilians is of grave concern and our Government is responding to the increasing need for assistance."

At the conclusion of her visit to Sri Lanka, Oda, announced an increase in critical humanitarian aid to assist civilians displaced by the conflict.

"This additional funding will provide essential food, water, shelter and medical care to the displaced population.

"We are strongly urging all parties to immediately ceasefire and facilitate access for humanitarian workers to give the urgently needed assistance."

"Canada continues to call for a new and meaningful political solution to the conflict, that will address the legitimate grievances of all communities involved in the conflict," Foreign Minister Lawrence Cannon said.

The Government of Canada, through the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA), will provide additional funding to the International Committee of the Red Cross, Medicine Sans Frontieres, the World Food Program and the UN High Commissioner for Refugees.