Leading Canadian aid organizations launch a joint appeal as crisis esc...

OTTAWA, MARCH 16, 2026 - Twelve of Canada's leading aid organizations have come together to raise funds to deliver life-saving aid to people affected by the conflict in Lebanon, Syria and the wider Middle East region.

Military violence has intensified and spread across the Middle East since February 28th, leaving millions in urgent need of humanitarian assistance. More than 2,000 people have been killed and over 20,000 injured, while hospitals, health centres, schools and energy infrastructure have been damaged or destroyed. Airstrikes have forced nearly four million people to flee their homes. In Lebanon, one in seven people have been displaced.

"The situation on the ground is devastating and getting worse," said Cyril Bassil, CARE International in Lebanon's Communications Coordinator. "Many people have fled their homes without any possessions. Women and girls are sleeping on the streets with nothing-no mattresses, no access to toilets, and no certainty of their next meal."

"A woman who gave birth by caesarean section just four days ago was lying on the sidewalk in Ain El Mraiseh [in Beirut] with her newborn baby," added Nour Kassab, Gender and Protection Coordinator at CARE International in Lebanon. "She told us she is still in pain and cannot properly take care of her surgical wounds. Watching a mother who just gave birth trying to protect her four-day-old baby while living on the street is heartbreaking. No woman should have to face such conditions at such a vulnerable moment in her life."

Schools and stadiums have been converted into emergency shelters across Lebanon, but the space and facilities are insufficient to meet the scale of need.

Women and girls are among those most affected by conflict and crisis. When families are forced to flee without a safe place to stay, they face heightened risks of gender-based violence and exploitation. When health services are disrupted, they may be unable to access vital maternal and reproductive care. And when food is scarce, they often eat last and least.

CARE and local partners are distributing essential supplies to women, girls and families both in and outside of shelters in Lebanon, including hot meals, drinking water, blankets, menstrual pads, soap and other hygiene items. Trained counsellors are providing psychosocial support to help people cope with the ongoing trauma.

CARE is preparing for an influx of people crossing borders in search of safety in neighbouring countries, including Syria, Jordan, Iraq and Türkiye, many of whom will need emergency shelter, food and other basic necessities.

With Canadians' support, CARE and other members of the Humanitarian Coalition can rapidly expand their lifesaving efforts, reaching more women, girls and families whose health and safety have been jeopardized by this conflict.

"We are calling on any Canadian who is able to give to please do so at www.together.ca or by calling 1-855-461-2154," said Barbara Grantham, President and CEO of CARE Canada. "Even a small donation can help bring relief to families facing extraordinary hardship."

CARE Canada joins its fellow Humanitarian Coalition members in calling on all 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, in line with international law.

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CARE has spokespeople available. For media inquiries, please contact:

Media RelationsCARE [email protected]

About CARE Canada:

Founded in 1945 with the creation of the CARE Package ℠, CARE is a leading humanitarian organization working around the globe to save lives, defeat poverty, and achieve social justice. CARE puts women and girls at the centre of our work because we know we cannot overcome poverty until all people have equal rights and opportunities. CARE develops solutions alongside women and girls to lift themselves, their families, and communities out of poverty and out of crisis. CARE works in over 100 countries around the world.

To learn more about CARE Canada, visit care.ca.

Editor's Notes

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. Its members are Action Against Hunger, Canadian Foodgrains Bank, Canadian Lutheran World Relief, CARE Canada, Doctors of the World, Humanity & Inclusion Canada, Islamic Relief Canada, Oxfam Canada, Oxfam-Québec, Plan International Canada, Save the Children Canada, and World Vision Canada.