April 21, 2017
Premier Kathleen Wynne released the following statement today regarding Ontario’s response to the food insecurity crisis in Yemen, South Sudan, Somalia and Nigeria:
“On behalf of the people of Ontario, we have heard and heeded the United Nations’ call for immediate support for the urgent food crises in Yemen, South Sudan, Somalia and Nigeria.
Our province has a long history of coming to the aid of people around the world in times of tragedy and adversity, and the severity of each of these situations calls for us to do so again.
Famine was officially declared in South Sudan on February 20, 2017. Ontario is giving $1 million to Médecins Sans Frontières/Doctors Without Borders (MSF Canada) to address malnutrition in South Sudan by providing food support and medical treatment to those who are most at risk.
In Nigeria, Somalia and Yemen, millions more people are on the verge of starvation and will require humanitarian support this year. Ontario is also granting $1.5 million to the Canadian Red Cross to address food insecurity in these three countries.
Ontario is home to people from around the world, including the areas affected by these crises. Our support will help these organizations deliver critical services and help people in life-threatening need.
In many ways, a tragedy like this is unthinkable, but I know the people of Ontario will pause today to consider how they can help in the relief effort. This also provides a poignant reminder of the prosperity we enjoy in Ontario and it encourages us to continue to build a society that is guided by compassion.”