Thank you, Mr. Chair.
I too would like to greet the witnesses who are here today and thank them. I will use my time to ask two short questions.
First, Mr. Gwozdecky talked about our long-term engagement with Iraq because it is in our interests. I think that is what he said. The official opposition called for an increase in the assistance provided to minorities, refugees and victims of sexual violence in the region.
Every day on television, we see the damage that bombings have caused to infrastructure, bridges, hospitals, schools, and so on. Based on what you know about the situation on the ground, has an assessment been done of the long-term assistance needed in the region to meet the basic needs for housing, food, health and education? Do you have an idea of the type of assistance that the region will need in the medium and long term? I am particularly concerned about that issue.