It is really important to take a few seconds to reflect on the extent of the decreases in global resources for international assistance and humanitarian action. Over the last 12 months, the OECD has reported a 25% drop. Over the last three years, there's been a 35% drop. Over the last one year, the humanitarian context has had a 35% drop. This is really significant.
At the same time, we are in a moment when the international multilateral system is under a huge amount of strain and a huge amount of pressure, and frankly needs to change. That's okay. As in any system, modernization is good and change is good.
When you look at what role Canada can play in the reform of the multilateral system, I think the world is looking to Canada to step up, step in and take a leadership role in being very propositional about not only how we streamline and how we make the global multilateral system more efficient and more effective, but also how we still defend it. Multilateralism has been incredibly important in tackling some of the most critical challenges we have faced in the world. When we look at the challenges we're facing, they are global and transborder in nature, and we require global co-operation to be able to tackle them. I really hope that is an area where Canada can show leadership. It is certainly an area where the world is looking to us to be leaders.
To be very quick on your second question about modalities, our position is that Canada should be using the most effective modality for the right context. Sometimes that might be multilateral action, sometimes that might be investing in long-term government-to-government partnerships and sometimes that might be supporting local civil society organizations at the front lines of this work. It's up to us to look at what is the most effective tool in the place and space that need it.