HUMANITARIAN CRISIS IN THE MIDDLE EAST

23/07/2006

CANADA’S LEADING RELIEF AGENCIES PARTNER TO HELP THOSE IN NEED July 23, 2006 - Four of Canada’s largest relief agencies are joining together to raise funds for the hundreds of thousands of people affected by the humanitarian crisis in the Middle East.

CARE Canada, Oxfam Canada, Oxfam-Québec and Save the Children Canada are responding to the emergency by forming THE HUMANITARIAN COALITION ( thehumanitariancoalition.ca, lacoalitionhumanitaire.ca). The partners are issuing a joint appeal for donations to help the more than 500,000 people displaced by the conflict in the Middle East. The coordination of fundraising efforts will make the contribution of Canadians more effective than ever. " We are seeing thousands of people, including thousands of young children, forced to flee their homes and, in some cases, their country," said Effie Triantafilopoulos, Chief Executive Officer of Save the Children Canada. "It is our responsibility to find the most efficient way to distribute the generosity offered by Canadians. Through THE HUMANITARIAN COALITION, we can achieve this." "THE HUMANITARIAN COALITION gives the public one point of contact for four relief agencies. We’re making it even easier for Canadians to make a difference," said Kevin McCort, Senior Vice-President, CARE Canada."This is the most effective way there is to respond to the crisis." Coalition members are already present in Lebanon, West Bank and Gaza, Israel, Jordan and Syria, all of which are affected by the current crisis. The emergency response will be based entirely on meeting the needs of the most vulnerable. Emergency programmes in the Middle East are providing food, mats and blankets, child protection, powdered milk for children, psycho-social support, medicines and health services. The four agencies are investing $100,000 in a start-up fund to begin the initiative, but more support from donors will be vital to the success of the relief effort. "The humanitarian crisis in the Middle East is growing daily," said Michel Verret, Acting Executive Director, Oxfam-Québec. "This partnership gives us the chance to share our strengths and to make a greater impact on the lives of the people in need." "Thousands lack access to basic, life preserving services. A coordinated response will save lives and will have a lasting effect on the entire region," said Robert Fox, Executive Director of Oxfam Canada. By combining resources from each participating organization, THE HUMANITARIAN COALITION can save costs and be more efficient and effective in the assistance provided to those in the Middle East. The campaign has one call centre, one phone number and a joint website for online donations. Public service announcements and web communications are also being coordinated to represent a single and unified voice. To donate to THE HUMANITARIAN COALITION, call 1-800-464-9154, log onto thehumanitariancoalition.ca or lacoalitionhumanitaire.ca or send donations to THE HUMANITARIAN COALITION, P.O. Box 1221, Station K, Toronto, ON, M4P 3E4.