Learning Goal: I will explain the significance of responses by Canada and Canadians to some key international events and/or developments since 1982

Success Criteria: I will explain the significance of: - The Gulf War -Events in Bosnia -Events in Somalia -Events in Rwanda -The War on Terror -The mission in Afghanistan -Famine in Ethiopia -The AIDS crisis -Refugee crisis in Darfur -Natural disasters such as the Indian Ocean tsunami -Natural disasters such as the earthquake in Haiti -Climate change

What was Canada’s role in the Gulf War? In 1990, Saddam Hussein invaded Kuwait, claiming that it belonged to Iraq and that Kuwait’s oil was stolen from Iraq. A coalition of 35 countries under the United Nations defeated Iraq in 100 hours. Canada dispatched a naval task force, Canadian CF- 18 jets and over 500 personnel. Canadian forces stayed on in the area as peacekeepers until the 2nd Gulf War.

What was Canada’s role in the Bosnian? In 1992, the European Community granted independence to Bosnia, which had been part of the former Yugoslavia. However, one of the ethnic groups, the Serbs believed this territory belonged to them so they launched an ‘ethnic cleansing’, and killed many Muslim Bosnians as well as many Croatians. About two million people fled the area. Canada helped to end the war, and became part of the UN peacekeeping force.

What was Canada’s role in Somalia? In the early 1990s, there was widespread civil war and famine in Somalia. Conflict between rival clans and local warlords with their militias resulted in the deaths of hundreds of thousands of people. Canada “escorted famine relief convoys, participated in the removal of land mines and collected or destroyed thousands of confiscated weapons. Despite their best efforts, the international forces could not end the strife in the country. In 1995, the final UN peace support mission withdrew.”

What was Canada’s role in the Rwanda? The Belgian colonization in 1923 generated conflict between the majority Tutsis and minority Hutus of Rwanda. In 1973, the Hutus overthrew the government. In 1994 the Hutus engaged in genocide, killing over one million Tutsis and moderate Hutus. The peacekeepers who were sent to Rwanda were unable to end the genocide despite the requests from Canadian general Roméo Dallaire for reinforcements from the United Nations (UN).More than two million Hutus fled the country.

How has Canada contributed to the ‘War on Terror’? “Since 2001, Canada has participated in a number of missions or operations: Apollo, Altair, Sirius, Athena, Archer, Argus, and others. According to information available on the Canadian Forces (CF) website, “since October 2001, Canada has deployed 22 warships and more than 18,000 Army, Navy, and Air Force personnel in the international campaign against terrorism…Canada has spent approximately 4.1 billion dollars on all of these operations.”

What was Canada’s role in Afghanistan? The first Canadian troops arrived in In 2006, 2,500 personnel troops were redeployed to Kandahar province. 1,200 were combat troops. Canadian troops ended their combat role in Currently there are about 950 troops deployed in Afghanistan as part of International Security Force (ISAF). The role of the current troops is to help train the Afghan National Army until March 31, 2014.

How has Canada contributed to the relief effort in Ethiopia? “In response to the worst drought and famine in over 60 years, Canada contributed $74.6 million in humanitarian assistance for those affected by the drought and famine in 2011 and an additional $86.5 million so far in 2012 for relief efforts in Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia and Djibouti.” Canada is providing “food, water, sanitation, medical support and shelter…”

How has Canada responded to the Global HIV/AIDS crisis? The Canadian HIV Vaccine Initiative (CHVI) coordinates the Canadian contribution to “global efforts to accelerate the development of safe, effective, affordable, and globally accessible HIV vaccines.”

How has Canada contributed to the Darfuri refugees? The conflict in the Darfur region caused significant displacement of Sudanese and Chadian people. Approximately 30,000 Sudanese refugees and an estimated 20,000 Chadians who were living in the conflict zones have fled to the Sila region of eastern Chad. Canada provides food, safe water, and shelter for the Darfuri refugees.

How did Canada contribute to the Indian Ocean rim Tsunami relief efforts? “The 9.0 earthquake off the coast of Sumatra on December 26, 2004, triggered massive tidal waves or ‘tsunamis’ in many countries. It left more than 250,000 people dead, 1.6 million displaced, and millions without livelihoods in Asia and east Africa. Approximately $132-million dollars donated by Canadians for tsunami relief was matched by the Government of Canada.”

How did Canada contribute the earthquake relief in Haiti? On January 12, 2010, an earthquake measuring 7.0 on the Richter scale struck Haiti. Hundreds of thousands of Haitians and foreign nationals died or were injured. Canada deployed civilian and military emergency management experts. Between 2006 and 2012, the Government of Canada committed “more than $1 billion towards Haiti, which makes this country Canada's largest aid beneficiary in the Americas.”

What is Canada’s approach to climate change? “The Government of Canada supports efforts to protect the environment by developing policies and programs, conducting scientific research, and working with other government departments, the provinces, territories and international partners in the fight against climate change.”