Canada pledges $13m in aid to Jordan

Amman: Canada’s top diplomat has pledged a donation of some $13 million (Dh47.7 million) to Jordan to tackle pressing humanitarian and security needs brought on by the two-year civil war in neighbouring Syria.

Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird praised Jordan’s humanitarian assistance and medical care to the more than 470,000 displaced Syrians sheltering in the kingdom, calling it a “model for all”.

After talks with his Jordanian counterpart, Nasser Judeh, and King Abdullah on Sunday in Amman, Baird urged the international community to “intensify” efforts to help the cash-strapped kingdom bear the humanitarian load.

Abdullah called for a political solution to end Syria’s conflict and preserve its unity.

Travelling on a Mideast tour to discuss Syria and revive peacemaking between Israel and the Palestinians, Baird also inaugurated Canada’s new Jordanian embassy building.