As you mentioned, the Haitian diaspora sends some $1.6 billion to Haiti, which accounts for more than all of the international aid received by this country. CIDA believes that the role of the diaspora in Canada is essential to development efforts in Haiti.
In February, Minister Oda met with the diaspora in Montreal. There will certainly be other meetings, especially as part of the poverty reduction strategy in Haiti. We will have to meet with our partners and hold consultations. We have support funds for the diaspora and three main initiatives. We have a funding program intended for diaspora organizations of some $2.5 million, which is scheduled to end in 2009.
As these funds run out, we will evaluate the outcomes of this program, and then determine whether to pursue a similar initiative based on lessons learned.
In 2007-2008, we provided institutional support to the Regroupement canado-haïtien pour le développement (ROCAHD). We also have a cooperation program as part of which over 110 volunteers were sent to Haiti in 2005-2006. Some of these volunteers included members of the diaspora.
We have an initiative that provides institutional or technical support to Haiti's core institutions, which allows us to use the services of consultants and specialists to assist the Haitian government. Members of the diaspora also participate in this project.