Foreign Affairs committee  The only thing we can say is that we have provided humanitarian assistance beyond that going to the International Red Cross. As we said, in February 2009, Minister Oda announced $4.5 million, which went through various other partners, all of whom are trusted and, we believe, fully capable of delivering humanitarian assistance programs on the ground.

Foreign Affairs committee  Mr. Chair, do you mean in terms of the actual number of Canadians?

Foreign Affairs committee  We don't have an estimate of how many Canadians are on the ground. We know the organizations that are there, but we would be happy to find that out for you.

Foreign Affairs committee  On the question of delivery of the program, the two people who are on the ground facilitate delivery, but the major delivery of humanitarian assistance programs is done by our partners, by organizations like the International Committee of the Red Cross, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, Oxfam Canada, World Vision, CARE Canada, or Médecins Sans Frontières.

Foreign Affairs committee  One of the things CIDA has been doing is to balance its assistance. We've maintained that distinct geographic and ethnic balance by supporting projects in Sinhalese, Tamil, and Muslim areas of the region, so we are, in effect, active in the north and the east as well as in the centre.

Foreign Affairs committee  I understand they're in discussions with the IMF for a loan, but it's not related to the conflict.

Foreign Affairs committee  But it's related to the economic crisis they're in, and I think they're asking for $1.9 billion. But again, it is unrelated to the conflict; it's more related to the global economic crisis.

Foreign Affairs committee  We have two permanent CIDA officers stationed in Colombo.

Foreign Affairs committee  Not that we know of.

Foreign Affairs committee  We would have to undertake significant assessment to do that. In terms of results, for example, I want to give you a glimmer of one of the bilateral projects we're undertaking in Sri Lanka at this time. It's called a program for rehabilitation through education and training. It's a technical vocational training program.

Foreign Affairs committee  Thank you, Chair. Thank you, Mr. Abbott. With respect to funding, in terms of tracking of results, we track results on a normal basis for bilateral CIDA activities, the humanitarian assistance as a result of the tsunami, and we are glad to report and we can give you facts and figures.

Foreign Affairs committee  Thank you, Chair. Mr. Chair, I'm pleased to provide to you today information about Canada's humanitarian and development assistance programs in Sri Lanka. Let me begin with humanitarian assistance provided by CIDA in addressing the plight of the people most affected by the recent conflict.