CAI response to Lebanon crisis
Toronto, Ontario, August 12, 2020 The Canadian Arab Institute is saddened and troubled by the tragic explosion in Beirut that has resulted in the death of over 200 people. The CAI would like to express our condolences to all victims, family members in the community, and support to all the people of Lebanon.
The destruction of the Port of Beirut comes in the midst of the worst economic and financial crisis the country has experienced since the end of the civil war, the COVID-19 pandemic, and nearly 10 months of sustained uprising against the governing elite. It has been documented that the explosion was a result of government negligence and corruption. Throughout the last week, Lebanese Canadians have shown that they are committed to mobilizing support, humanitarian and financial, for their other beloved country and its people as they overcome the crisis.
This past week, Lebanese Canadians across Canada have organized vigils and memorial events, written letters to their Members of Parliament, signed petitions, and donated to local NGOs on the ground in Lebanon to honour the victims of the blast and demand justice behind the circumstances that led to it.
The CAI echoes the Lebanese people’s call to ensure that any government aid that Canada sends does not serve to strengthen the existing corrupt government and ruling class. We were pleased to see that the federal government as well as provincial governments throughout Canada pledged to send immediate humanitarian aid.
We applaud the work that the newly-formed Lebanese Canadian Coalition (LCC) has done with the federal government to donate $5 million in humanitarian support to Lebanon and set up a Lebanese Matching Fund, where Ottawa will match every donation that is given to the Humanitarian Coalition, dollar-to-dollar up to $2 million dollars. The Canadian government has also announced that it will be donating an additional $25 million dollars, resulting in nearly $30 million in humanitarian and relief aid. Canadians have continuously shown solidarity with Arab-Canadians during the Syrian refugee crisis and many other crises affecting communities around the world. Our future is brighter because of allies like you, so thank you.
The CAI also invites Canadians to donate to the Canadian government supported Humanitarian Coalition:
https://www.humanitariancoalition.ca/crisis-in-lebanon
Here are some other ways to support as well:
Press Contact:
Shireen Salti
Executive Director, Canadian Arab Institute
shireen@canadianarabinstitute.org