OTTAWA, Canada – Wednesday, at a high-level meeting on the food and nutrition crisis in the Sahel and Lake Chad regions, Harjit S. Sajjan, minister of international development and minister responsible for the Pacific Economic Development Agency of Canada, announced over $82 million in funding for gender-responsive humanitarian and development assistance to address increasing food and nutrition needs and help avert famine in the regions.
Canada is extremely concerned by the deepening food and nutrition crisis in the Sahel and Lake Chad regions and its impact on vulnerable groups, such as displaced populations, women and adolescents and children. Years of insecurity, as well as climate change, are driving a humanitarian crisis that is leaving millions of people facing acute hunger.
This funding will be provided to UN agencies, the International Committee of the Red Cross and non-governmental organizations to address both immediate and longer-term needs. With Canada’s ongoing support, partners will address acute malnutrition and food insecurity, as well as underlying vulnerabilities related to health, water, sanitation and hygiene in the Sahel and Lake Chad regions.
“We need a global conversation and global innovation so we can ensure that people, our neighbours, can meet their most basic needs, like food and water. When they cannot do so because of conflict, insecurity or climate change, then we need to make sure they get the food and water they need. We will continue to work with our partners so that everyone has access to safe and nutritious food to keep them healthy and strong.” – Harjit S. Sajjan, minister of international development and minister responsible for the Pacific Economic Development Agency of Canada.
