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Donations for Lebanon eligible for Humanitarian Coalition match, through membership in Foodgrains Bank

August 8, 2020

By Janice Biehn

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Today the Government of Canada launched a dedicated Matching Fund for the Lebanon crisis that will double the contributions of Canadians and support the relief work of the members of Canada’s Humanitarian Coalition, including the Canadian Foodgrains Bank. Through its membership in the Canadian Foodgrains Bank, PWRDF will be participating in the Humanitarian Coalition appeal to support people of Lebanon through this crisis. 

The government of Canada will match every dollar donated by individuals to the Humanitarian Coalition and its members between August 4 and August 24, up to a maximum of $5 million. Donations to PWRDF marked for the Beirut explosion emergency response will be matched.

On August 4 a devastating explosion ripped through the heart of Beirut, destroying homes, killing dozens and injuring thousands. Many are still missing and many will die due to critical injuries sustained in the blast. Tens of thousands have lost their homes and many vital infrastructure has been damaged beyond repair.  

Hospitals are at full capacity and many have been left on the street with nowhere to go, struggling to find food for their families. This has come at a difficult time for Lebanon as they are already dealing with an economic crisis, political instability and the effects of the COVID-19 Pandemic. 

“In the past few days, there has been an amazing outpouring of support from Canadians looking to help however they can,” said François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Foreign Affairs at a press conference today. “That is why, today, we are announcing that we will support Canadians who wish to help by matching their generous donations. We are proud to stand by the people of Lebanon every step of the way from emergency response, to reform and reconstruction.”

“This is an unprecedented emergency on top of so many other challenges that the people of Lebanon have been facing,” says Will Postma, PWRDF’s Executive Director. “We thank and support the Canadian government for coming alongside Canadian aid agencies to respond quickly to urgent needs in Beirut.”

The Fund will amplify the support of Canadians and reinforce the response of Canada’s Humanitarian Coalition and its members.

“Canada is known for its efficient humanitarian work and we have trusted aid organizations already working in the country,” said Karina Gould, Minister of International Development. “I encourage Canadians to donate to the Lebanon Matching Fund to help save lives and meet the urgent, immediate needs of the affected Lebanese communities.” 

Global Affairs Canada will transfer the matched funds to the Humanitarian Coalition, which will in turn allocate the funds among its members, including the Foodgrains Bank, based on criteria such as their capacity and presence in the affected region. PWRDF has been a member of the Canadian Foodgrains Bank since 2009. The Foodgrains Bank is comprised of 15 Christian relief and development organizations working to end hunger around the world.

PWRDF has also pledged $25,000 to an ACT Alliance response to the explosion. ACT Alliance has been responding to the refugee crisis in Lebanon as part of their regional appeal covering Syria, Lebanon and Jordan. Lebanon is the country hosting the largest number of refugees per capita, and is part of the ACT Alliance regional appeal covering Syria, Lebanon and Jordan. PWRDF is a regular contributor to these appeals. 

How You Can Help

Please pray for all who have been affected by this disaster, for our partners in the region as they work to save lives and care for the injured, and for those who have died. 

You can also donate to PWRDF’s Beirut explosion emergency response. Gifts made before August 24 will be matched 1:1 by the Government of Canada, through the Humanitarian Coalition, up to a total of $5 million.

  • Please visit our online donation page at pwrdf.org/give-today and make your gift in Emergency Response, indicating Beirut explosion in the message box.
  • Call 1-866-308-7973 toll-free (please leave a message and we will return your call), or 416-822-9083 to speak immediately with someone who can process your donation over the phone.
  • Write Beirut explosion in the memo field of your cheque and mail to PWRDF, 80 Hayden Street, 3rd floor, Toronto, Ontario, M4Y 3G2.
  • Download and share this bulletin message with your community (it is designed to be printed double-sided and cut in two, but the text can also be copied into an e-blast).

The Humanitarian Coalition brings together leading aid organizations to provide Canadians with a simple and effective way to help during international humanitarian disasters. For more information, please visit the Humanitarian Coalition website.

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For media requests please contact Communications Coordinator Janice Biehn at (416) 924-9199;366.

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