With today’s announcement of an additional $350 million in humanitarian aid over two years, the government is taking an important step to address some of the world’s most urgent needs. This additional funding from the International Assistance Envelope (IAE) could help respond to some of the planet’s most devastating crises, including the war in the Middle East, internal chaos in Haiti, civil unrest in Sudan, and crises in Yemen and the Sahel.
As the international community faces unprecedented challenges, Canada’s aid sector remains firmly committed to alleviating suffering and driving progress worldwide. The coalition, led by the Beyond Our Borders campaign, Cooperation Canada, the Canadian Partnership for Women’s and Children’s Health (CanSFE), and other advocacy groups, is committed to continuing to advocate for a strong commitment to international assistance, as Canada prepares to host the Group of Seven (G7) countries next year. We encourage the government to use its upcoming G7 presidency to demonstrate leadership by engaging other nations to reverse the global decline in official development assistance.
“This budget addresses one of the most urgent situations in the world today: the desperate plight of millions of people affected by humanitarian crises and conflicts. From Gaza to Sudan, from Haiti to Yemen, humanitarian needs are growing, and decades of development progress are dangerously at risk. We welcome this investment in humanitarian aid and look forward to further essential investments in long-term international development assistance,” said Kate Higgins, Executive Director of Cooperation Canada, which represents over 100 Canadian international development and humanitarian aid organizations. “In line with Canada’s Feminist International Assistance Policy, this investment will support life-saving programs in crisis-affected communities while advancing global security and Canada’s prosperity.”
The international cooperation sector also welcomes the 2024 budget’s new commitments to strengthen Canada’s engagement with international financial institutions to make them more responsive to emerging global threats. The budget also outlines future initiatives that will seek to catalyze private and philanthropic funding sources in support of international assistance.
“Canadians expect their government to invest in the country’s long-term security. In a global order impacted by conflict and crises, Canada is called upon to find comprehensive pathways to peace. Today, we celebrate the investment in humanitarian aid that will reach and support women and children in their most vulnerable moments through high-impact interventions that save lives and help children reach their full potential,” said Julia Anderson, CEO of the Canadian Partnership for Women’s and Children’s Health.
About Cooperation Canada
Since 1968, Cooperation Canada has brought together Canadian civil society organizations working in international development and humanitarian assistance. With over 100 members, we work with partners in Canada and around the world to build a fairer, safer, and more sustainable world.
About Beyond Our Borders
Beyond Our Borders is a compelling campaign supported by NGOs that aims to push the Canadian government toward a significant increase in foreign aid funding. With ongoing commitment since 2018, Beyond Our Borders unites a collective of NGOs and philanthropic institutions to advocate for increased government contributions to international assistance, ensuring it fulfills its responsibility and raises current funding levels.
About the Canadian Partnership for Women’s and Children’s Health (CanSFE)
The Canadian Partnership for Women’s and Children’s Health (CanSFE) brings together over 100 non-governmental organizations, civil society organizations, academic institutions, health professional associations, and private companies committed to advancing the health and rights of women, children, and adolescents worldwide.
Contact Information:
Louis Belanger – Beyond Our Borders 613-265-4417 / lbelanger@biggerthanourborders.ca
Gabriel Karasz-Perriau – Cooperation Canada 514-945-0309 / gkaraszperriau@cooperation.ca
Megan Aikens – CanSFE 613-504-2862 / maikens@CanWaCH.ca
Note: The aid agency coalition represents a broad group of organizations working in advocacy, education, economic development, gender equality and women’s rights, women’s and children’s health, sustainable livelihoods, food security and water, nutrition, human rights, and good governance.
The group includes:
- Cooperation Canada / Coopération Canada
- Canadian Partnership for Women and Children’s Health (CanWaCH) / Le Partenariat canadien pour la santé des femmes et des enfants (CanSFE)
- Bigger than our Borders / Au-delà de nos frontières
- Acted Canada
- Action Against Hunger Canada
- Action Canada for Sexual Health and Rights
- ADRA Canada
- Alberta Council for Global Cooperation
- Association québécoise des organismes de coopération internationale (AQOCI)
- Atlantic Council for International Cooperation
- CAMFED Canada
- Canadian Association for Global Health
- Canada International Scientific Exchange Program (CISEPO)
- Canadian Association of Midwives (CAM/ACSF)
- Canadian Center for Women Empowerment
- Canadian Feed The Children
- Canadian Foodgrains Bank
- Canadian Lutheran World Relief
- Canadian Physicians for Aid and Relief (CPAR)
- Canadian Network for Neglected Tropical Diseases
- CARE Canada
- CAWST
- CDF Canada
- Centre D’Étude et de Coopération Internationale (CECI)
- Change for Children
- ChildCare International
- Children Believe
- Climate Action Network Canada (CAN-Rac)
- Coady Institute
- CODE
- Collaboration Santé Internationale
- Compassion Canada
- Crossroads International
- Cuso International
- Development and Peace ― Caritas Canada
- Développement international Desjardins (DID)
- Effect Hope (The Leprosy Mission Canada)
- End Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) Canada Network
- Equality Fund
- Equitas-International Centre for Human Rights Education
- Farm Radio International
- Food for the Hungry Canada
- Global Citizen
- Grandmothers Advocacy Network
- Habitat for Humanity Canada
- HelpAge Canada
- Hope and Healing International
- HOPE International Development Agency
- Humanitarian Coalition
- Humanity & Inclusion Canada
- Hungry For Life International
- International Council of AIDS Service Organizations (ICASO)
- International Development and Relief Foundation (IDRF)
- International Development Enterprises (iDE) Canada
- Islamic Relief Canada
- Jane Goodall Institute of Canada
- Journalists for Human Rights (JHR)
- KAIROS: Canadian Ecumenical Justice Initiatives
- Kentro Christian Network
- Lawyers Without Borders Canada / Avocats sans frontières Canada
- Manitoba Council for International Cooperation
- Maternal and Infant Health Canada
- Maternity Today
- Médecins du Monde Canada
- Mennonite Central Committee Canada
- Mennonite Economic Development Associates (MEDA)
- Mission inclusion
- Never Again International – Canada
- Northern Council for Global Cooperation
- Nutrition International
- ONE Canada
- One Drop Foundation
- Ontario Council for International Cooperation
- Orbis Canada
- Oxfam Canada
- Oxfam-Québec
- Partners In Health Canada
- Plan International Canada
- Presbyterian World Service & Development
- Results Canada
- Right To Play International
- Salanga
- Santé Monde
- Saskatchewan Council for International Cooperation
- Save the Children Canada
- SeedChange
- Seva Canada
- SOCODEVI
- SOS Children’s Villages Canada
- Trade Facilitation Office (TFO) Canada
- UPA Développement international
- Veterinarians without Borders Canada
- VIDEA
- WaterAid Canada
- The Wellspring Foundation for Education
- Women’s Global Health Innovations – Bfree Cup
- World Accord International Development Agency
- World Renew
- World University Service of Canada (WUSC)
- World Vision Canada
- ZMQ Global