OTTAWA – UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, welcomes the Government of Canada’s announcement of C$50.4 million in flexible funding over four years. This generous contribution underscores Canada’s longstanding partnership and commitment to supporting refugees worldwide.
Flexible funding, also known as unearmarked funding, allows UNHCR to allocate resources where they are needed most, providing the ability to respond swiftly to emergencies and unforeseen or overlooked crises.
“Canada’s unearmarked funding is crucial for UNHCR. It allows us to be nimble and responsive in emergencies, ensuring that we can provide life-saving assistance wherever it is needed most,” said UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi, who is in Ottawa for a series of high-level meetings.
During his visit, High Commissioner Grandi met with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly, International Development Minister Ahmed Hussen, Immigration Minister Marc Miller, MPs, and members of the Standing Committees on Foreign Affairs and International Development (FAAE), and Citizenship and Immigration (CIMM), along with civil society partners. These meetings highlight the importance of UNHCR’s relationship with Canada and our shared commitment to protecting refugees.
Canada has a strong tradition of welcoming refugees, having provided steadfast support for refugees and forcibly displaced people around the world through funding, expertise, and welcoming more than one million refugees since 1980. In 1986, the people of Canada were awarded the Nansen Refugee Award by UNHCR for their exceptional efforts in alleviating the plight of refugees worldwide, marking the first time the award was presented to an entire nation. This enduring partnership is vital as UNHCR faces a challenging financial situation at a time when there are nearly 123 million forcibly displaced people globally.
“The consistent support from the people of Canada has been instrumental in our efforts to protect and assist refugees globally,” said Dominique Hyde, UNHCR’s Director of External Relations. “Canada’s commitment to humanitarian principles and its generous contributions have enabled us to respond swiftly to crises and provide essential aid to those in need. As we navigate a challenging financial landscape with unprecedented levels of displacement, the flexibility and reliability of Canada’s support remains crucial to our mission.”
UNHCR’s US$10.8 billion budget is still only 45 per cent funded this year. So far this year, only 14 per cent of UNHCR funding is completely flexible. Canada has been one of the top 10 government donors to UNHCR over the past decades, having contributed C$98.2 million (US$75 million) in 2023 and C$74.8 million (US$55 million) so far in 2024. Through its fundraising efforts UNHCR Canada will raise C$20 million from donations by private individuals, companies and foundations this year.
For more information, please contact:
- In Ottawa, Levon Sevunts, sevunts@unhcr.org, +1-613-286-6975
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