Canada continues to be deeply concerned by the dire humanitarian situation in Syria. The Syrian peoples' needs have reached unprecedented levels after 13 years of crisis, with over 16 million people, almost 70% of the country's population, urgently requiring assistance.
The Honourable Ahmed Hussen, Minister of International Development, accompanied by Omar Alghabra, Member of Parliament for Mississauga Centre, recently concluded a visit to Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Türkiye, where they met with government officials and representatives of organizations and partners to discuss international cooperation and humanitarian assistance, particularly in relation to Syria. Minister Hussen's trip marks the first Canadian delegation to visit the border region of Türkiye and Syria since the end of the Assad regime in Syria.
Minister Hussen reaffirmed Canada's commitment to the people of Syria and announced $17.25 million in funding for humanitarian assistance to address their urgent needs. Canada's funding will be delivered through experienced humanitarian partners and help provide clean water and food; protection services, including for the prevention and mitigation of and response to gender-based violence; sanitation and hygiene services; and health services.
In Qatar, Minister Hussen and Mr. Alghabra met with Maryam bint Ali bin Nasser Al-Misnad, Qatar's Minister of State for International Cooperation. Discussions focussed on Qatar's role in assisting Syrians and on development cooperation between Canada and Qatar.
In Saudi Arabia, Minister Hussen and Mr. Alghabra met with Adel Al-Jubeir, Saudi Arabia's Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, and Jasem Mohamed Al Budaiwi, Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council, to enhance Canada's cooperation with Saudi Arabia and the council and to discuss shared objectives for regional peace and security. They also met with Muhammad Sulaiman Al Jasser, Chairman of the Islamic Development Bank, Hissein Brahim Taha, Secretary General of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, Abdullah Al Rabeeah, Supervisor General of the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre, and Faisal al Qahtani, Deputy Chief Executive Officer of the Saudi Fund for Development, to discuss cooperation between Canada and Saudi Arabia on development and humanitarian issues.
In Türkiye, Minister Hussen and Mr. Alghabra met with Nuh Yılmaz, Türkiye's Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, to discuss Türkiye's views on developments in Syria and the evolving Middle East landscape. They also met with Serkan Kayalar, President of the Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency, to discuss shared development priorities between Canada and Türkiye and opportunities for cooperation. Minister Hussen and Mr. Alghabra also engaged with representatives from the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, the International Organization for Migration, the Turkish Red Crescent and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, as well as local officials in Gaziantep and Kilis provinces, to discuss refugee assistance and the humanitarian situation in Syria. They also met with Syrian refugees to hear their experiences and had a discussion with refugee leadership organizations working to restore stability, advocate for protections, and provide humanitarian support to the people of Syria.
