3.6

• Why is Haiti particularly vulnerable to natural disasters?

  Haiti lies on a fault zone and within the Caribbean hurricane belt, making it prone to earthquakes and tropical storms. Deforestation (98% of forests lost) worsens landslide and flood risks.
• What were the impacts of Haiti's 2010 and 2021 disasters?

  The 2010 earthquake killed over 220,000 and displaced 1.5 million. The 2021 earthquake (mag 7.2) was followed by Tropical Storm Grace, which dumped 100mm of rain in 24 hours, worsening the crisis.
• What are Haiti's ongoing humanitarian challenges?

  Over half the population faces food insecurity; 217,000 children suffer from acute malnutrition. Health systems remain weak, and over 10,000 died in a cholera outbreak after 2010.
• What political challenges does Haiti face?

  The 2021 assassination of President Moïse and rising gang violence have intensified political instability, with over 60% of the population below the poverty line and heavy dependence on foreign aid.
• How effective was the international response to Haiti’s crises?

  Major aid was given in 2010 and 2021 from the USA, EU, UN, Japan, and NGOs. However, poor coordination, lack of long-term planning, and declining aid since 2015 led to criticism and fears of aid fatigue.
• Why is Afghanistan geopolitically important?

  It sits at a strategic crossroads of Central, South, and West Asia. Its mountainous terrain and remote borders make governance and defense difficult
• What role did Cold War politics play in Afghanistan?

  In 1979, the USSR invaded to support the Afghan Communist Party. The USA backed mujahideen fighters, turning Afghanistan into a Cold War proxy conflict.
• What happened in Afghanistan post-9/11?

  The US invaded to remove the Taliban and dismantle terrorist camps. A Western-backed government was installed, but the Taliban returned to power in 2021 after US troops withdrew.
• How do global powers view the Taliban’s return in 2021?

  Russia fears radical influence spreading to Chechnya; China is wary due to unrest in Xinjiang; Iran has a complex stance due to regional rivalry; India supports a stable, Western-backed Afghan government.
• How is climate change creating new global challenges?

  Climate change is forcing environmental refugees to flee low-lying islands like Kiribati. People are moving inland or onto higher ground, while superpowers are under pressure to reduce emissions.
• What is the role of the UN Security Council?

  It prevents conflict through peacekeeping and military authorisations. It has five permanent members with veto power and has intervened in crises like the Congo (2004–2009).
• How does the UN address climate change?

  The annual UN Climate Conferences aim to manage climate change. The 2015 Paris Agreement involved all countries but faced challenges from climate change denial (e.g. Trump’s withdrawal).
• What is the function of the International Court of Justice (ICJ)?

  It settles legal disputes between UN member states and advises on international law. It has 15 judges from different global regions but doesn’t handle individual complaints.
• What is the European Union’s (EU) role globally?

  It is a 27-member free-trade and political union. It works to reduce inequality, promote human rights, and influence environmental policy. Its unity was shaken by Brexit.
• What is NATO and why is it important?

  NATO is a military alliance formed in 1949 with the principle that an attack on one is an attack on all. Though it weakened after the Cold War, Russia’s actions have revived its importance.
• What does the IPCC do?

  The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), with 120+ member countries, compiles peer-reviewed climate research to help stabilise greenhouse gas emissions.