Canada pledges another C$15 million in assistance for Lebanese civilians

World leaders take part in the 79th annual U.N. General Assembly high-level debate

OTTAWA (Reuters) – Canada will provide C$15 million ($11 million) in new humanitarian assistance to support civilians affected by conflict in Lebanon, the Canadian foreign ministry said on Wednesday.

“Canada is deeply alarmed by the rapid escalation of the crisis in Lebanon. We are mobilizing to ensure that Canada is there to bring much-needed assistance to the Lebanese people,” Foreign Minister Melanie Joly said in a statement.

The funding announcement brings Canada’s assistance pledge for Lebanese civilians to C$25 million.

($1 = 1.3697 Canadian dollars)

(Reporting by Ismail Shakil in Ottawa)