I would say our impression was that Haiti was on a much more positive course in the past couple of years before the earthquake. The earthquake has left huge challenges for the country, a country that was already very fragile. We thought it was starting to turn a corner, and now it's been set back again by the consequences of the earthquake. There are 1.3 million people living in temporary shelter. This is a country with a GDP per capita of $800 U.S. annually, so they face many challenges.
The international community, including the Canadian public, has contributed to a number of programs in Haiti and recognizes the challenges that are ahead. It's very difficult. We've also just gone through an electoral situation that wasn't perfect. Although we recognize that the OAS and the UN have said that, generally speaking, it was a fair and transparent process, we've encouraged them to pursue allegations of irregularities. We're hoping to go to a second round so that we can then move forward with the new government in February.
It's a very challenging situation, but Canada and the international community are very devoted to trying to assist Haiti. We can't let Haiti fail. We have to help it. Canadians have stepped up, the government has stepped up. The donor contributions are enormous, both in terms of humanitarian aid since the earthquake, the reconstruction fund under President Clinton and Mr. Bellerive, and of course our CIDA programming, which was extensive, over $100 million per year before the earthquake.
So in fact we've done a lot. It's a difficult situation, but we can't give up hope. We have to keep working. The Haitian people have hope, and we have to work with them.