Canada increases aid to Mali by $13 M after donor conference in Ethiopia

OTTAWA - Canada is providing $13 million in new humanitarian aid to help with food and health care for victims of the war in Mali.

International Co-operation Minister Julian Fantino announced the additional contribution today after attending a global donor meeting in Ethiopia.

Fantino says the money will help improve food security, reduce malnutrition, address emergency health care and provide other humanitarian assistance.

The aid will be distributed through non-governmental and United Nations agencies.

Canada is also contributing a C-17 heavy-lift transport plane to help move military equipment in support of French troops until Feb. 15, but government sources say they don't expect any additional military assets to be committed.

Sources also say Canada's special forces are on the ground in Mali to help protect Canadian personnel already operating in the troubled West African country.