VZCZCXRO3523
PP RUEHGA RUEHHA RUEHQU RUEHVC
DE RUEHOT #2467 2291900
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 171900Z AUG 06
FM AMEMBASSY OTTAWA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 3507
INFO RUCNCAN/ALL CANADIAN POSTS COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
RUEHXK/ARAB ISRAELI COLLECTIVE PRIORITY

UNCLAS OTTAWA 002467 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SIPDIS 
 
STATE FOR WHA/CAN AND NEA 
USAID FOR ANE AND DCHA 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: EAID ECON PREL PREF PGOV LE CA
SUBJECT: PRIME MINISTER ANNOUNCES NEW LEBANON RELIEF FUND 
 
REF: OTTAWA 2205 
 
 ¶1. (U)  Summary: On August 16, Prime Minister Harper 
announced that Canada will give C$25 million to Lebanon 
reconstruction and relief efforts.  C$15 million will be 
largely directed to UN agencies and the ICRC and C$10 million 
will support stabilization efforts and provide civilian 
support for implementation of UNSCR 1701.  This aid 
supplements Canadian aid for Lebanon announced in recent 
weeks totalling C$5.5 million.  End Summary. 
 
¶2. (U)  On August 16, Prime Minister Harper announced the 
creation of a C$25 million Lebanon Relief Fund to respond to 
relief, early recovery, and stabilization needs in Lebanon. 
Harper said that "as a leader on the international stage, 
Canada has a responsibility to help those suffering from 
circumstances beyond their control.  Today's announcement is 
about doing just that - bringing urgent relief to people by 
ensuring the availability of much-needed supplies." 
 
¶3. (U)  The two-year fund will be used to respond to requests 
by the Red Cross Movement, the United Nations and other 
multilateral organizations and NGOs to address Lebanon's 
post-ceasefire needs.  It will also enable Canada to 
undertake targeted stabilization and reconstruction 
activities, as called for in UNSCR 1701. 
 
¶4. (U)  In response to the United Nations Flash Appeal, 
Canada on July 28 allocated C$500,000 in support of the 
International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC).  Canada is 
also providing C$5 million to UN agencies, distributed as 
follows: 
 
a) C$1.75 million to the World Food Program (C$1 million for 
emergency food assistance and C$750,000 for logistic 
operations during the Lebanon crisis); 
b) C$750,000 to UNICEF for providing adequate water and 
sanitation support in south Lebanon; 
c) C$750,000 to UNICEF and WHO for providing primary health 
care services; 
d) C$1 million to UNHCR for providing emergency assistance to 
displaced persons and refugees in Lebanon and neighboring 
countries; 
e) C$500,000 for the establishment of a United Nations Joint 
Logistics Center to provide logistics coordination and 
support for humanitarian activities in Lebanon; and 
f) C$250,000 to the Office of Humanitarian Affairs for 
coordinating the humanitarian response. 
 
¶5. (U) Canada has also supported the efforts of humanitarian 
agencies in Lebanon to reach those in need, including the 
transport by sea of humanitarian personnel and over 140 tons 
of relief supplies. 
 
¶6. (U) As reported in reftel, Canada on July 20 announced an 
initial C$1 million humanitarian donation to Lebanon.  This 
pledge is included in the C$5.5 million allocation announced 
eight days later.  Canada's aid is provided through the 
Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA). 
 
Visit Canada's Classified Web Site at 
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/wha/ottawa 
 
WILKINS