Displaced Iraqi from the Yazidi community carry humanitarian aid at the camp of Bajid Kandala at Feeshkhabour town near the Syria-Iraq border, in Iraq Saturday, Aug. 9, 2014.Khalid Mohammed/The Associated Press
Ottawa is providing $5-million in new humanitarian assistance for the victims of the ongoing crisis in Iraq, vowing to come to the help of displaced civilians and religious minorities.
"Canada continues to stand by the people of Iraq in these difficult times and condemns the terrorist actions of ISIS and the killing of innocent civilians in northern Iraq in the strongest possible terms," International Development Minister Christian Paradis said in a statement on Sunday.
The new federal funds will be used to distribute food, hygiene kits, tents and other supplies, as well as repair water and sanitation facilities. A portion of the money will be distributed immediately to the International Red Cross and other aid groups, while the rest of the money will flow after discussions with Canada's partners in Iraq.
"Canada will continue working closely with our allies to determine how we can best continue to support the needs of Iraqi civilians, particularly religious minorities," Mr. Paradis said.
On Friday, Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird said that Canada was supporting ongoing efforts, including American air strikes and supply drops, to help civilians fleeing Sunni extremists in Iraq.
Since 2014, Canada has provided $16-million to deal with humanitarian needs in Iraq.