Allow me to wrap up with a little bit of elaboration on the recommendations.
As the Syrian crisis enters its fifth year now, it continues to have a regional impact, including the conflict we are now seeing in Iraq. The urgency for impartial, neutral, and independent humanitarian action to assist and protect families and children has never been greater. For this reason we would like to offer three recommendations.
First, given Canada's solid track record as a humanitarian donor, we ask that the Government of Canada champion the urgent humanitarian response and the needs of children by encouraging its international partners to contribute as generously as Canada has. The upcoming pledging conference in Kuwait on March 31 is an excellent opportunity for the Minister of International Development to do this.
Second, we ask that parliamentarians clearly distinguish between Canada's humanitarian response and its military and political strategies. As we deliberate the future of Canada's military role in the House of Commons, we ask you to make those decisions independent of considerations about humanitarian assistance, which need to be based, as we've before, on the humanitarian imperative and principles.
Lastly, the children of Syria and Iraq want peace. No matter which forum each you find yourselves in, here in Canada and internationally, dealing with the challenges of this region, we urge you to think always of Salma and her siblings. The only way for her and her friends to have a real, sustainable future is to have a peaceful solution to the underlying conflicts.
In conclusion, I want you to imagine the children that I met last week, children who, in spite of all the chaos and violence, continue to have hopes and dreams for the future of living in peace and dignity. Canada can and does play an important role in ensuring that these hopes and dreams do not evaporate.
We thank you for giving World Vision Canada an opportunity to share its views during this important study. We would be pleased to answer your questions.