Canadian response to Hurricane Katrina

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

Jump to: navigation, search
A 4-ship task force with "Operation UNISON" departing Halifax Harbour on September 6, 2005 for the U.S. Gulf Coast.
Enlarge
A 4-ship task force with "Operation UNISON" departing Halifax Harbour on September 6, 2005 for the U.S. Gulf Coast.
Hurricane Katrina

2005 Atlantic hurricane season


On September 2, following discussions between Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness Canada and the U.S. Federal Emergency Management Agency, the Government of Canada announced it was sending a task force comprising three warshipsHMCS Athabaskan, HMCS Toronto and HMCS Ville de Québec—along with the Coast Guard vessel CCGS Sir William Alexander and three Sea King helicopters and one BO-105 helicopter to the area in a few days. The Canadian Forces also provided several Griffon helicopters and crews to the New England States at the request of the United States Coast Guard whose search and rescue helicopters from that area have been assigned to Gulf Coast SAR operations.

The U.S. Infantry led by the RCMP outside the Canadian Embassy on September 7 to raise funds for Katrina victims.
Enlarge
The U.S. Infantry led by the RCMP outside the Canadian Embassy on September 7 to raise funds for Katrina victims.

The task force is organized under the name "Operation UNISON" and involves over 1,000 personnel from the Canadian Forces and Coast Guard who will be directed by their American counterparts during relief operations. A precedent was established with a similar humanitarian aid response by the Government of Canada following Hurricane Andrew when the Auxiliary Oil Replenishment (AOR) ship HMCS Protecteur participated in "Operation TEMPEST", providing relief supplies and personnel in southern Florida and the Bahamas.

The ships and aircraft have the capacity to relocate people and deliver a broad range of supplies, including tents, cots, water containers and items as men's and women's toiletries, sun screen and insect repellent. The Public Health Agency of Canada has also been in contact with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and has offered whatever support may be needed. "We are really prepared to operate on all fronts as requested and as co-ordinated by the United States," said Prime Minister Paul Martin.

In an interview on National Public Radio, Canada's Ambassador to the US said that in addition to the basic desire to help a neighbor in need, many Canadians also remember the ancestors of Louisiana's Cajuns were expelled from what would become Canada by the British in the 18th century, which he felt gives an extra historical dimension to Canadians' desire to help the people of Lousiana today.

The Canadian Red Cross has launched an appeal for donations and is providing aid; 37 Canadian Red Cross personnel have been transported by Canadian military aircraft to assist with efforts in Houston, Texas. The Government of Nova Scotia has donated $100,000 towards the Red Cross effort. Other provinces have expressed interest in providing temporary housing to those left homeless.

Vancouver Urban Search and Rescue arrived in Lafayette, Louisiana on the evening of August 31, 2005, on a WestJet Airlines aircraft. Due to security they started their mission on September 3, saving 30 people that day. They returned to Vancouver on September 6th, reportedly saving over 110 people during their deployment.

Ontario Hydro, Hydro-Québec, and Manitoba Hydro, along with other electricial utilities, prepared crews to be sent to the affected areas. Canada also increased oil exports as requested by the IEA to help stabilize the world market in the wake of the crisis.On September 2 Air Canada participated along with U.S. member airlines of the Air Transport Association, in a voluntary airline industry initiative to support rescue and relief operations. Air Canada was the first foreign carrier to land in New Orleans delivering water and supplies and lifting victims to safety.

On September 4, following a request from U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the Government of Canada announced it was prepared to send thousands of beds, blankets, surgical gloves and dressings and other medical supplies. The Government of Canada announced it would also send 35 divers to help with the rescue effort. One of the divers' tasks will be to inspect levees.

On September 5, 35 military divers were poised to depart by air Sunday from Halifax and Esquimalt, B.C., for the New Orleans area. Their chief tasks will be to help their U.S. counterparts clear navigational hazards like loose barges and inspect flood-damaged levees.The 18-member Pacific Fleet Diving Unit based at Esquimalt flew to Pensacola, Fl.

On September 6 the Operation UNISON task force of navy and coast guard ships departed Halifax Harbour for the U.S. Gulf Coast. Some residents of Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island were offering shelter to the homeless survivors of hurricane Katrina. Ann McLellan, the Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, announced that her department was discussing with the U.S. National Security Advisor the possibility of Canadians billeting American storm evacuees. She also said that the American Red Cross has asked Canadian Red Cross chapters in Quebec for cots for refugees staying at U.S. evacuation centres and that other services had been requested from chapters in Ontario. Universities across Canada have also offered to take in university students from New Orleans whose studies have been interrupted.

On September 7, the Canadian Embassy started a Hurricane Katrina fund to support victims in the Gulf region. Frank McKenna, Canadian ambassador to the U.S., told Americans "you are our friends and together we are family – you do not suffer alone."

On September 8 the Government of Alberta announced that it was donating $5 million to the Hurricane Katrina fund administered by former presidents Bush and Clinton.

On September 19 it was announced that the three warships from the Operation UNISON task force would be returning to Halifax, leaving the coast guard ship to continue its mission of clearing navigation hazards and repairing buoys.

See also

External links

Personal tools