The United Nations was founded in 1945 for the purposes of maintaining international peace and security, developing friendly relations among nations, and achieving international cooperation to solve economic, social, cultural, and humanitarian problems, while promoting human rights and fundamental freedoms.
Membership is open to all states that accept the obligations of the UN Charter.
Canada has supported these international initiatives and continues to participate actively in UN-sponsored initiatives. The following is a brief description of some of the UN's principal activities. It has also provided assistance in the resettlement and, where possible, the repatriation of these refugees. Almost every year since its inception, the UN has been called upon to help with disaster relief. Whether famine, hurricane, flood, or earthquake, the UN has been there to help.