Since the dawn of October, Canada has pledged an unprecedented $60 million in aid towards the Gaza Strip and its surrounding areas, amidst the escalating conflict between Israel and Hamas.
Based on information from the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), this commitment is the single most substantial donation within the past two decades from Canada to both Gaza and the West Bank. It more than doubles the total humanitarian financial assistance rendered during the entirety of 2021, which equates to around $23 million measured in current monetary value.
This wave of generosity surfaces during a time of heightened bombardment and terrestrial conflict in Gaza, instigated by the Israeli defence forces in retaliation to an attack by Hamas on the 7th of October. The casualty count since the onset of warfare earlier this month includes over 1,400 deaths in Israel while the death toll in Gaza has surpassed 8,525 as disclosed by Israeli officials and the Health Ministry of Hamas-controlled Gaza, respectively.
A statement issued by Global Affairs Canada (GAC) within the same month informs that $50 million from the 2023 aid package will be allocated to the provision of food, water, emergency medical aid, protection services and other urgent life-preserving measures for Palestinians affected by this war.
Canadian International Development Minister Ahmed Hussen expressed his concerns, noting the urgency and immediacy of the situation. Calgary’s commitment to its partners can adapt swiftly as their needs increase, which will help to rapidly fund their initiatives in aid of those in dire need.
The crisis brought around by the Israel-Hamas conflict is an additional item on the GAC’s list of ongoing worldwide emergencies targeted for Canadian aid. Other recent contributions include $58 million to address flooding in Pakistan previous summer, approximately $80 million for disaster relief in Turkiye and Syria following earthquakes in both nations earlier this year, and support for Ukraine in its struggle against Russian invasion. Within the year, Canada’s humanitarian aid contributions have exceeded $350 million, supplemented by billions in economic and developmental aid.
Canada’s largest humanitarian aid recipients in 2021, according to the most recent OECD data, were Syria ($90 million) and Yemen ($85 million), where the conflict situation has been both “devastating” and “urgent.” Lebanon has also benefited from a substantial amount of Canadian humanitarian aid ($58 million) in response to the 2020 Beirut explosion.
Despite continuous growth in official developmental assistance (ODA), Canada trails many other nations in aid spending, commensurate to the country’s size. Recent OECD data shows Canada’s donation of US$7.8 billion in grant equivalents for ODA, amounting to 0.37% of the country’s gross national income (GNI). In comparison to the United Nations’ 0.7% spending target, Canada ranks fifth among the G7 nations.
Although the 2023 budget falls short of expectations according to international aid groups, Canada maintains its commitment to address urgent humanitarian, developmental, and security challenges, promising to continue its support across the globe.
