Canada to match donations to Lebanon relief

OTTAWA – The federal government will match all individual donations from Canadians to humanitarian relief efforts in Lebanon following this week’s deadly explosion in Beirut.

International Development Minister Karina Gould says the best way for Canadians to help the Lebanese people who have lost loved ones and their homes from this explosion is to give generously.

Donations made by Canadians before Aug. 24 to the Humanitarian Coalition _ a group of 12 established aid organizations working on the ground _ will be matched by the federal government, up to a maximum of $2 million.

This matching fund adds to $5 million in emergency aid pledged by Ottawa earlier this week after Tuesday’s blast in Lebanon’s capital.