Canada pledges extra $2 million in Libyan aid

Canada is committing another $2 million in aid for Libya, International Cooperation Minister Bev Oda announced Tuesday.

"The situation in Libya remains volatile, as thousands of people remain in need of ongoing assistance within and beyond Libyan borders," Oda said in a statement. "Access continues to be difficult as the need for food, water, sanitation, protection services and medical supplies increases."

Canada is giving $1.75 million to the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), together with the Red Crescent Societies of Libya, Tunisia and Egypt, and $250,000 to the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) to protect women and girls from gender-based violence—including sexual assault—and provide critical care to survivors in Libya.

The ICRC will provide emergency assistance for up to 780,000 affected people in Libya as well as for those who have fled into neighbouring Tunisia and Egypt, Oda's statement said. This assistance will include food, water, sanitation and primary health care.

UNFPA, through targeted protection intervention and assistance programs, will help up to 50,000 women and girls in Libya who have experienced or are at risk of experiencing gender-based violence, the statement said.

Tuesday's announcement brings Canada’s total humanitarian assistance in response to the crisis in Libya to $10.6 million.