Canada will provide $2 million in humanitarian medical aid through the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies. The announcement was made Saturday by Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird and Minister of International Cooperation Julian Fantino.

"The Assad regime's continued assault on the Syrian people is producing a human tragedy that is getting worse by the day," said Baird, attending the United Nations General Assembly and a side meeting of the Friends of Syria Group. "Canada remains committed to exhausting its diplomatic and humanitarian options."

So far, the Canadian International Development Agency has committed $12 million in support for Syrian civilians.

"We call for immediate full, safe, and unhindered access for humanitarian agencies to help those suffering as a result of this conflict," Fantino said in a statement. "Canada will continue to review the needs of Syrians, including those in neighbouring countries, and respond accordingly. We urge other donors to also support the most in need during this crisis."

The Syrian crisis has so far claimed thousands of lives, most of those civilian. More than 280,000 people have fled to neighbouring countries and an estimated 1.5 million more are displaced within Syria itself.