Toronto, 16 March 2026 – Canada’s leading aid organizations – joining forces as the Humanitarian Coalition – are raising critical funds to rush life-saving assistance to people in need in Lebanon, Syria and across the wider region.
Since February 28, the escalating military violence in the Middle East has been worsening and widening, with humanitarian needs rising rapidly:
- More than 2,000 people have been killed, and more than 20,000 people are injured.
- Nearly 4 million people are internally displaced. In Lebanon alone, more than 810,000 people, including 290,000 children, have been forced to flee their homes.
- Hostilities have affected 14 countries so far, destroying or damaging schools, hospitals, health centres and energy infrastructure.
The Humanitarian Coalition urges leaders to end the violence and seek a resolution that upholds the rights, dignity and safety of all people. Action must be taken by all parties to protect civilians, especially children and families.
Quotes:
Tiffany Baggetta, Executive Director of the Humanitarian Coalition, said:
“We are deeply alarmed by the escalating military violence that is shattering lives throughout the region. Humanitarian needs are rising by the hour. We are urgently calling on the generosity of Canadians to donate today to support life-saving humanitarian aid for children and families caught in this conflict.”
Danny Glenwright, President and CEO, Save the Children said:
“Every war is a war on children. As tensions escalate, more than 100 million children across the Middle East are living under the terrifying shadow of an expanding conflict—facing the risks of injury, displacement, and the loss of education and essential care. International law is clear: children must be protected from violence and provided the care and support they need to survive and recover. Humanitarian needs are growing rapidly, and urgent support is required to reach children and families with lifesaving assistance.”
The members of the Humanitarian Coalition are Action Against Hunger, Canadian Foodgrains Bank, Canadian Lutheran World Relief, CARE Canada, Doctors of the World Canada, Humanity & Inclusion Canada, Islamic Relief Canada, Oxfam Canada, Oxfam-Québec, Plan International Canada, Save the Children and World Vision Canada.
Canadians can help rush emergency assistance to people affected by the Middle East Emergency by donating at www.together.ca or by calling 1-855-461-2154.
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About the Humanitarian Coalition
The Humanitarian Coalition brings together 12 leading aid organizations to provide Canadians with a simple and effective way to help during major international humanitarian emergencies. We make donating simple for Canadians by removing competition for donations, increasing the awareness of needs and reducing the duplication of costs, meaning more help for survivors.
