Economic assistance, disasters and emergency relief 463

Chapter III Economic assistance, disasters and emergency relief

Through a number of organizations, the United and Principe (39/187), Sierra Leone (39/192), Uganda Nations continued in 1984 to provide special as­ (39/188) and Vanuatu (39/198). sistance to countries with serious economic difficulties. The United Nations system continued to respond Those problems were frequently aggravated by natural to emergency situations arising from natural dis­ or other disasters. Of particular concern was the asters, mainly through action co-ordinated by the critical economic situation in Africa which was com­ Office of the United Nations Disaster Relief Co­ pounded by a prolonged drought in certain regions. ordinator (UNDRO). The Assembly (in resolutions Both the Economic and Social Council and the General 39/190, 39/191, 39/194, 39/201, 39/205 and 39/206) Assembly added an item to their agenda for the and the Council (in resolutions 1984/3, 1984/5, 1984/6 first time on that situation. In a December resolu­ and 1984/7 and decision 1984/106) dealt with as­ tion (39/29), the Assembly adopted the Declara­ sistance needs resulting from die continuing drought tion on the Critical Economic Situation in Africa, in certain areas in Africa, particularly the Sudano- expressing concern at the crisis which over the previous Sahelian region and East Africa; cyclones and floods few years had assumed alarming proportions, seriously in Madagascar; a cyclone in Swaziland; and an earth­ jeopardizing not only the development process, but quake in "Yemen. Both the Assembly and the Council, also the very survival of millions of people. By the in resolutions 39/207 and 1984/60 respectively, called Declaration, the Assembly outlined the problems for strengthening the United Nations capacity to and proposed remedial measures. respond to disasters. In order to view firsthand the effects of widespread In addition to special economic assistance and drought, food shortages, livestock epidemics and disaster relief, emergency humanitarian assistance dwindling resources, the Secretary-General travelled was provided to Lebanon. Lebanon had been un­ to eight countries in West Africa from 17 January able to carry out its reconstruction programme due to 4 February. On his return, he remarked that the to renewed fighting and disorder and the military dimensions of the human tragedy became all the situation in the south. The Assembly, in resolution more poignant during his trip, and he called on the 39/197, called for assistance for the reconstruction international community to respond urgently and and development of Lebanon, as did the Council adequately, as lives were threatened and the eco­ in decision 1984/174. nomic survival of many African countries was at Topics related to this chapter. Development policy stake. In addition to problems of food, health, water and international economic co-operation: special supply, refugees, transportation and communica­ economic areas—developing countries. Regional tion, the international community needed to deal economic and social activities: Africa—economic with the causes of the crisis, he said. In Decem­ and social trends; Asia and die Pacific—typhoons. ber, the Secretary-General established the United Food: food aid. Environment: desertification. Nations Office for Emergency Operations in Africa; Children—emergency relief. Refugees: assistance the Administrator of the United Nations Development to refugees. Programme (UNDP) was appointed to direct the new Office. The most urgent problem was famine, which was complicated by problems of transport, storage and distribution of food. With regard to countries suffering grave economic Economic assistance difficulties, the Economic and Social Council in July called for assistance to Guinea (resolution 1984/59), In response to requests by the General Assem­ and in December the Assembly adopted a series bly, the United Nations in 1984 continued to pro­ of resolutions calling for economic assistance to Benin vide special assistance to a number of developing (39/185), Cape Verde (39/189), the Central Afri­ countries faced with particularly severe economic can Republic (39/180), Chad (39/195), the Comoros problems. A wide range of adverse economic con­ (39/193), Democratic Yemen (39/184), Djibouti ditions, often accompanied by damaging climatic (39/200), Equatorial Guinea (39/181), the Gambia events, had jeopardized the development of those (39/203), Guinea (39/202), Guinea-Bissau (39/186), countries. Haiti (39/196), Lesotho (39/183), Liberia (39/182), The Secretary-General, by various 1982 and 1983 Mozambique (39/199), Nicaragua (39/204), Sao Tome resolutions, had been requested to report to die As-

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sembly in 1984 on the economic situation and on of them were before the Committee; another, on the progress made in organizing and implement­ Guinea, was under preparation. Of the 18 Afri­ ing special programmes of economic assistance for can States included, 14 had been classified by the a number of developing countries. Each of the United Nations as least developed countries countries concerned was asked whether it would (LDCs). The effects of the prolonged drought had prefer the report to be based on the findings of compounded their situation. a visiting review mission or whether it would wish Many of the countries concerned had heavy to provide the information to be used in a brief, debt-servicing burdens which obliged them to re­ interim report to the Assembly. Eleven of the coun­ quest rescheduling of their external debts. Noting tries concerned chose the latter form; accordingly, that a number of the countries had taken austerity the Secretary-General, in September and Oc­ measures, the Co-ordinator called on the interna­ 1 tober/ ) submitted summary reports for 11 coun­ tional community to support those efforts by in­ tries for which special programmes of economic creasing die flow of financial and other assistance. assistance were being implemented, based on in­ A number of the countries had mobilized addi­ formation supplied by diem. The summaries— tional external resources by organizing donor con­ for Bolivia, Ecuador and Peru; Chad; the ferences and round-tables which deserved the sup­ Comoros; Djibouti; Equatorial Guinea; the Gam­ port of the international community. On behalf bia; Sierra Leone; Tonga; and Uganda—addressed of the Secretary-General, he appealed to bilateral die main developments in the respective economies and multilateral donors to respond generously. and the status of the special programme of eco­ In an October report to the Assembly/13) the nomic assistance. Secretary-General described the implementation The Secretary-General also submitted in­ of the Substantial New Programme of Action for dividual reports on assistance rendered to the 1980s for the Least Developed Countries Benin/2) Cape Verde/3) the Central African (SNPA), adopted by die 1981 United Nations Con­ 4 5 6 ference on the Least Developed Countries^14) and Republic/ ) Democratic Yemen/ ) Guinea/ ) 15 Lesotho/7' Mozambique/8) Nicaragua/9) Sao endorsed that year by the Assembly/ ) SNPA was Tome and Principe^10) and Vanuatu.(") In a fur­ aimed at helping LDCs achieve a self-sustained ther report to the Assembly/12) he described as­ economy and enabling them to attain internation­ sistance provided by the United Nations system ally accepted minimum standards of nutrition, to 20 countries: Benin, Bolivia, Cape Verde, Cen­ health, housing and education. The report, pre­ tral African Republic, Chad, Comoros, Djibouti, pared by the secretariat of UNCTAD, gave a brief Ecuador, Equatorial Guinea, Gambia, Ghana, account of the recent economic performance of Guinea-Bissau, Lesotho, Mozambique, Peru, Sao LDCs (see p. 413). Tome and Principe, Sierra Leone, Tonga, Uganda, Vanuatu. The summaries of aid to those countries GENERAL ASSEMBLY ACTION were based on information provided by special­ The General Assembly, acting on the recom­ ized agencies and other United Nations bodies, mendation of the Second Committee, adopted programmes and organizations that had rendered without vote decision 39/431. technical and other forms of assistance within their various fields of competence: FAO, UNESCO, WHO, Special programmes of economic assistance the World Bank and IDA, IMF, ICAO, UPU, ITU, At its 103rd plenary meeting, on 17 December 1984, WMO, IMO, WIPO, IFAD, UNDP, UNCTAD, UNICEF, the General Assembly, on the recommendation of the Second Committee: UNIDO, UNCDF, UNCHS, WFP, WFC, UNFPA, (a) Took note of the summary reports of the UNDRO, DTCD and UNHCR. (See below for details Secretary-General on Bolivia, Ecuador and Peru, and on individual countries.) on Tonga; The Assembly took note of the Secretary- (b) Took note of the oral report made on 5 Novem­ General's report on system-wide assistance when ber 1984 by the United Nations Disaster Relief Co­ it adopted decision 39/431 on 17 December. ordinator on the steps taken to implement General As­ sembly resolution 38/217 of 20 December 1983, entided Speaking to the Assembly's Second (Economic "Special assistance to alleviate the economic and social and Financial) Committee on 2 November, the problems faced in regions of Honduras and Nicaragua Under-Secretary-General for Special Political as a result of the May 1982 floods and other subsequent Questions and Co-ordinator for Special Economic natural disasters"; Assistance Programmes, Abdulrahim Abby Farah, (c) Took note of the report of the Secretary-General reported that nine additional countries (Bolivia, on assistance provided by the United Nations system. Ecuador, Guinea, Kiribati, Madagascar, Peru, Swaziland, Tuvalu and Vanuatu) had been added General Assembly decision 39/431 during the year to those for which special Adopted without vote programmes of economic assistance had been es­ Approved by Second Committee (A/39/793) without vote, 30 November (meeting 54); oral proposal by Chairman; agenda item 83 fb). tablished, bringing the total to 25. Reports on 20 Meeting numbers. GA 39th session: 2nd Committee 32, 34, 54; plenary 103.

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Africa porary relief. Faced with financial imbalances, a Critical economic situation number of countries had undertaken adjustment According to several 1984 United Nations reports, programmes in association with IMF and/or the World the economic and social situation in Africa con­ Bank, usually calling for reduced government ex­ tinued to deteriorate. The crisis reflected the cu­ penditures, such as the reduction of subsidies for mulative impact of a variety of internal and exter­ basic consumer goods and for strategic production nal factors, such as natural disasters, inadequate inputs such as fertilizer, as well as major currency resources, slow economic growth, structural weaknesses, devaluations. While the purpose of the programmes global economic recession, strife and adverse cli­ was to restore financial equilibrium, the immedi­ matic conditions. ate impact was often a further worsening of living conditions. The Secretary-General said mat increased For the first time, in 1984 the Economic and Social official development assistance (ODA) was vital during Council and the General Assembly included in their the adjustment period until better financial balance agenda an item on the critical economic situation was restored. in Africa. In an April report to the Council/16) the Secretary- The most pressing need was for food. Almost half General described the nature and magnitude of the of Africa's population was threatened by severe hunger critical social and economic situation in Africa, iden­ and malnutrition and in some cases by starvation. tified the most pressing needs, and called for con­ There was little prospect that those needs could be certed and co-ordinated action from the interna­ met from domestic production in the near future tional community. As a result of economic stagnation due to the continuation of drought. FAO estimated or decline combined wim rapid population growth, that Africa would require 3.3 million tons of food average per capita income in many African coun­ aid during the 1983/84 season. In addition to food, tries was, in real terms, less than it had been 15 years assistance was needed to ensure its distribution and earlier. Despite some gains in the quality of life in to rehabilitate agricultural production. Programmes Africa over the previous two decades, social con­ to develop water supplies and basic health services ditions were far from acceptable and were threat­ were urgently needed. The development of human ened with deterioration. In recent years, the number resources was a key priority. of people living at subsistence level had increased Economic assistance was needed for balance-of- sharply and vulnerable groups (women, children, payments support to meet urgent import require­ the disabled, rural communities) were especially ments and to achieve fuller utilization of existing endangered. The situation was manifested in lack industrial and agricultural capacity. In the Secretary- of basic health care and safe drinking-water, high General's view, international action was required infant mortality rates, high unemployment and in­ to help stabilize prices of African export commodities adequate housing. and reduce barriers to markets for African goods. To some extent, the economic difficulties stemmed In recent years, aid flows and private flows of eq­ from the limited production base of African countries, uity capital to Africa had been declining. While bilateral usually restricted to a few primary commodities and aid would remain the major component in ODA, mineral products, requiring reliance on industri­ multilateral aid was also essential. alized countries, and from a lack of transport and Within the United Nations, an effort was being communications infrastructure. Food production made to achieve a better co-ordinated approach, had failed to keep pace with population growth. The beginning with asking the United Nations resident industrial sector remained small in most countries co-ordinators in African countries to consult with and heavily dependent on imported inputs and spare each Government, as well as widi the local represen­ parts. tatives of bilateral and multilateral agencies and The impact of the recent global economic recession non-governmental organizations (NGOs), to iden­ and of inflation on the already vulnerable econo­ tify specific country needs. Specific needs had also mies of Africa had been devastating. It had led to been identified by numerous United Nations or­ a sharp drop in commodity prices, which in 1982, ganizations, many of which were active in 1984 in in real terms, had been at their lowest level in 40 dealing with the African crisis. years. Between 1981 and 1983 alone, the total value In a July addendum(17) to the April report, the of African developing countries' exports fell by more Secretary-General updated selected issues of the man 15 per cent. As a result of declining commodity emergency situation in the most affected food-deficient prices, the terms of trade of those countries declined countries. The report was prepared by his Special by approximately 50 per cent between 1977 and Representative for the African crisis on the basis 1981. To curb growing trade deficits, many coun­ of information from Governments supplied to the tries had to reduce overall imports while accom­ resident co-ordinators and to United Nations or­ modating a growing need for food imports. Many ganizations and bodies participating in the activi­ had no alternative but to request the rescheduling ties of the Special Representative's office at Nairobi, of their external debt, which provided only tem­ Kenya. In addition to presenting the emergency needs

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of African countries and assessing domestic and tial to provide the means to resume normal international responses, the report dealt with agricultural production, i.e. crop seeds and fer­ strengthening the preparedness of the affected tilizers, agricultural materials, equipment and countries for future emergency situations. As at spare parts, technical assistance and agricultural mid-1984, there remained a food-aid gap for rehabilitation. Aid in the form of seeds, fertilizers, 1983/84 in the range of 500,000 tons, and pledges pesticides, insecticides, animal vaccines, animal were urgently needed to fill it. The estimated feed, vehicles, and agricultural tools and equip­ emergency requirements, amounting to about ment was provided through FAO and UNDP. FAO $225 million, related mainly to water, transport had drawn up plans for expanding food and seed and distribution, health, nutrition, energy and the reserves—an important element in preparing for provision of emergency agricultural input for the emergency situations—while WHO had established next planting season. health emergency stocks at six African locations. Food production in 1983/84 in the 24 most af­ The Special Representative had convened a spe­ fected countries, as identified by FAO, had declined cial meeting of African intergovernmental organi­ by 10 per cent from the poor crop yields of zations and financial institutions at Geneva on 20 1982/83, and by 14 per cent from that of the last July to explore their capacities in the solution of normal year, 1981. The shortfall in production had short-, medium- and long-term problems and how been severe in both West Africa, particularly in those capacities could be synchronized with the Sahelian countries, and southern Africa, which donors' efforts. had suffered from drought in 1982 and 1983. In In an October report to the Assembly,(18) also East Africa, the drought had been very severe in prepared by the Special Representative, the some areas, and there had been widespread star­ Secretary-General provided supplementary infor­ vation. As at the end of May 1984, FAO and WFP mation, reviewing the emergency situations as at estimated that 3 million tons of food aid had to 31 August 1984 in 36 African countries, of which be provided in 1983/84. 27 were identified by an FAO/WFP special task Other critical problems were: water shortages; force monitoring food-aid requirements, pledges lack of transportation for food, water and medi­ and deliveries as countries facing abnormal food cines to the affected populations; population dis­ shortages, and nine were identified by the Con­ placement within and outside national boundaries; ference of Ministers of the Economic Commission lack of adequate basic health services; livestock dis­ for Africa (ECA) (tenth meeting, Addis Ababa, eases; and insufficient energy supply. Ethiopia, 24-28 May 1984) as also being drought- Reviewing the preparedness of countries for affected. The critical areas were actual or impend­ coping with emergency situations, the Special ing shortages of food and water; serious losses of Representative found that, in slightly more than livestock; massive imports of food, placing severe half of the countries surveyed, a national emer­ strain on already weak transport, storage and dis­ gency or reconstruction plan did not exist. One tribution systems; increased malnutrition and third had national plans to cope with the emer­ health risks; and further displacement of drought- gency/drought situation, but in only a few cases affected populations. Projections of food harvests did such plans contain financial and sectoral de­ and supply were constantly changing and were tails. In 13 of the 18 countries in which a national merely indicative of the magnitude of needs. The relief co-ordinating mechanism existed, the inter­ report also discussed briefly the longer-term nal co-ordinating capacity could be rated from aspects of structural adjustment, with particular adequate to strong. emphasis on actions required from African A global drought/food early warning system Governments and from donors, multilateral aid in­ (EWS) had been set up by FAO, but it needed im­ stitutions and NGOs. provement, as did national and area EWS capabil­ The crisis was affecting the economies of the en­ ities. Timely and reliable data and trained man­ tire continent. Gross output of developing Africa power were also needed. A major bottle-neck declined by 0.1 per cent in 1983 and a marginal occurred in the scheduling of food-aid deliveries growth of 1.8 per cent was projected for 1984. As to the distribution sites. United Nations resident a result, per capita income had consistently co-ordinators—who were the UNDP resident declined since 1980 at an average annual rate of representatives in all African countries—acted as 4.1 per cent. While there were structural defects focal points for the United Nations system at the in the economies of many African countries, their country level for matters concerning economic current position was largely the result of an un­ crises and the drought-induced emergency; in favourable international economic environment. general they had many responsibilities and were The economies were also affected by the degra­ understaffed. dation and loss of agricultural soils, the destruc­ While the international community had concen­ tion of vegetal cover, the desertification of pasture trated on the provision of food, it was also essen­ lands and the depletion of ground water. By Sep-

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tember 1984, food-aid pledges from donors had reached Progress was also needed in negotiating individual 2.6 million metric tons (with an estimated value commodity agreements and in improving compen­ of over $500 million), comprising 88 per cent of re­ satory financing arrangements. Increasing agricultural quirements, for 24 countries identified as having production for domestic consumption and export high cereal-import requirements for 1983/84. was also a priority area. The Secretary-General concluded that the situ­ United Nations action had included efforts to assist ation remained precarious and that greater efforts countries through specific programmes and the mobili­ would be required in 1984/85 since drought was zation of concessional resources. The Secretary-General again affecting a number of countries. Moreover, called for greater administrative flexibility as well several were unlikely to meet import targets through as adequate financing, through the reallocation of commercial purchases because of foreign exchange existing resources, co-financing arrangements or constraints; continuous assessment was recommended. from additional resources. Action was needed in Transport, storage and distribution of relief sup­ three broad areas: first, strengthening support for plies continued to be a main bottle-neck, and donor national programmes for developing human resources, support was essential in this sector. Addressing the particularly in management and administration, longer-term structural requirements, the Secretary- including technical assistance in resources management General said that the primary responsibility rested and training programmes on skills needed in rural with the African Governments themselves in such areas; second, protection of underprivileged groups, areas as formulation of national rehabilitation and the most vulnerable of whom were women and chil­ development programmes, improved management dren, including increasing child survival programmes of the economy, and development of entrepreneur-ship and programmes to provide drinking-water and health in all economic sectors. Such efforts should be com­ education and medicine; and third, maintenance plemented with international support in the interrelated and repair of production, transport and commu­ areas of primary commodity export, external debt nications infrastructures. and financial flows. Compensatory mechanisms should be made as flexible as possible and bilateral credi­ In a report issued in June with a later adden­ 21 tors should make efforts to alleviate the debt bur­ dum/ ) the Secretary-General described special den through new rescheduling schemes and the waiving measures taken by the United Nations system, in 22 of debt-service payments over an agreed period of time. accordance with a 1980 Assembly resolution/ ) for the social and economic development of Africa in The Secretary-General, in a note of 1 Novem­ 19 the 1980s (see Chapter VIII of this section). The ber/ ) stressed that, even though the dimensions report focused on measures for implementing the of the drought and the imminence of mass starva­ Lagos Plan of Action for the Implementation of the tion had abated somewhat over the previous year, Monrovia Strategy for the Economic Development a large number of Africans were still struggling to of Africa/23) adopted by the Organization of African survive and many of the countries were still in a Unity (OAU) at Lagos, Nigeria, in 1980 as the major critical situation. A week earlier he had issued an framework for the continent's development plans. urgent appeal for immediate assistance to Ethio­ pia, where almost a million people were facing the The Administrative Committee on Co-ordination prospect of death from starvation. The situation (ACC) reviewed the critical economic situation in (24 25 was also ominous in Angola, Chad, Mali and the Niger. Africa at its April ) and October 1984( ) sessions. In April, it adopted a decision^26) endorsing three The Secretary-General urged that the interna­ areas for immediate and high priority action by the tional community increase net financial flows to United Nations system, as identified by its Sub- Africa, particularly concessional flows through bilateral Committee on Nutrition at its tenth session (Rome, channels and multilateral organizations such as the Italy, 5-9 March). Two of these concerned Africa: World Bank and the other United Nations fund­ initiative Africa for the strengthening of institutions, ing institutions. In regard to the African countries' specifically the FAO/WHO/OAU Regional Food and external debt, country-specific solutions were re­ Nutrition Commission for Africa; and a co-ordinated quired, but as for public debt, the measures provided 20 country-level approach in food and nutrition—based for in a 1978 UNCTAD resolution^ ) on debt and de­ on a Sub-Committee analysis of problems and op­ velopment problems of developing countries should portunities of a selected African country. The third be implemented for the least developed and other pertained to the control of vitamin A and iodine poor countries of Africa. In order to improve those deficiency. countries' commodity export earnings, the Secretary- General said steps must be taken to enable the Com­ At the end of 1984, the Secretary-General took mon Fund for Commodities, a mechanism intended measures to strengthen the system's response to the to stabilize the commodities market by helping to emergency situation and provide a broad frame­ finance buffer stocks of specific commodities and work for international action, emphasizing the linkage commodity development activities, to become operative between emergency relief, rehabilitation and long-term as soon as possible (see Chapter IV of this section). development.

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In June/27) the Secretary-General transmitted nical co-operation, UNDP was called upon to to die Council the Special Memorandum on Africa's respond to requests for medium- and long-term re­ Economic and Social Crisis, adopted by the ECA habilitation as the necessary corollary of emergency Conference of Ministers in May (see Chapter VIII relief actions. of this section). The ministers responsible for eco­ UNDP field offices, in partnership with United nomic development and planning addressed the cur­ Nations agencies, notably UNDRO, FAO, UNHCR, rent crisis and its causes, the emergency needs of UNICEF and WFP, acted jointly as on-the-spot the 24 most affected countries, the short- and centres for information and emergency aid co­ medium-term measures needed to combat die crisis ordination. Following an appraisal of UNDP staff in diose and 10 other drought-prone countries, and capacities, a redeployment exercise was carried out the long-term structural adjustment measures for aimed at strengmening field offices in die most seri­ the whole continent in accordance with the Lagos ously affected countries, and further staffing needs Plan of Action. In an addendum, the Secretary- were identified. In addition, UNDP reviewed its as­ General transmitted the Addis Ababa Declaration sistance to over 20 countries, and programmes and on Africa's External Indebtedness, adopted by the projects were adjusted to complement new relief African Ministers of Finance at a regional meet­ and rehabilitation efforts. The adjustments were ing on the topic (Addis Ababa, 18-20 June). similar to die recommendations adopted by die ECA The twentieth ordinary session of the Assembly Conference of Ministers in May and endorsed by of Heads of State and Government of OAU (Addis the OAU Assembly. UNDP identified its priority Ababa, 12-15 November) adopted two declarations areas as: food production; water supply sources and and a series of resolutions which were transmitted systems; communications infrastructures to alleviate by Djibouti to the Secretary-General on 10 Janu­ difficulties affecting die transportation, storage and ary 1985.(28) One of the declarations, on the criti­ distribution of food and medical supplies; and co­ cal economic situation in Africa, called for meas­ ordination of rehabilitation programmes with the ures to be taken at the national, regional and resetdement of displaced populations. Widiin avail­ international levels to alleviate emergency relief and able resources, UNDP also gave priority to health rehabilitation problems and meet longer-term de­ services in affected countries, livestock management velopment requirements. It urged all donor countries projects, renewable energy development and drought to respond positively to the proposals put forward management and control. It also helped national by the recent World Bank report entitled Towards authorities to define policy to ensure the efficient Sustained Development of Sub-Saharan Africa: A Joint Pro­ use of available development funds. gramme of Action, which called for additional bilateral and multilateral disbursements of about $2 billion Field expenditures in Africa by and through yearly for the region, and suggested that the Bank UNDP amounted to over $300 million over the year. consider establishing special facilities for the reali­ UNDP core resources accounted for $255 million zation of those objectives. By a resolution on the of the total. Resource mobilization efforts were in­ economic problems of Africa, the OAU Assembly creased by promoting third-party cost-sharing endorsed the recommendations made by the ECA projects which became a significant source of ad­ Conference of Ministers in its Special Memoran­ ditional financing in the region. dum, and requested its Secretary-General to sub­ The Administrator established in November the mit the declaration and the Memorandum to the UNDP Trust Fund to Combat Poverty and Hunger 1984 session of the General Assembly. in Africa. The Fund was to be used for projects in UNDP activities. The Administrator of UNDP, die priority areas of food self-sufficiency, water, energy in his annual report for 1984,(29) described die pro­ for household use, primary health care, rural roads gramme adjustments made by UNDP during the and anti-desertification and reforestation. Its year due to the crisis in Africa. Drought had ad­ resources could also be used for emergency assistance vanced over large areas of sub-Saharan Africa that to African countries when exceptional circumstances year, further harming fragile economies already warranted such action. sapped by the effects of collapses in commodity prices, By a decision of 29 June on the economic and static ODA in real terms, unprecedentedly heavy social crisis in Africa/30) the UNDP Governing debt-service burdens and volatile currency exchange Council reaffirmed the importance of the central rates. In December 1984, the Secretary-General es­ co-ordinating role of UNDP in assisting African tablished the United Nations Office for Emergency Governments to meet their urgent needs as well as Operations in Africa (OEOA) with the UNDP Ad­ dieir medium- and long-term technical co-operation ministrator serving as its head. That decision un­ requirements for development. The Administra­ derlined the major adjustment required of UNDP. tor was invited to continue his efforts to collaborate The emergency in Africa was widely perceived to with organizations of the United Nations develop­ be foremost a development issue. As the central fund­ ment system in such areas as assistance flows, ing and co-ordinating body for United Nations tech­ resource mobilization and development of priority

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activities to help meet immediate and long-term as Chairman of OAU. The Chairman endorsed the development needs in Africa. The Council expressed Secretary-General's call, made when he attended appreciation for UNDP assistance in organizing the twentieth OAU summit session in November round-table conferences of donors, requested the 1984, for an international conference under United Administrator to support future conferences, and Nations auspices to consider action on the famine urged donor countries to support African countries' and hunger which afflicted most of Africa. He drew efforts, through United Nations funds and attention to the summit's decision to establish an programmes, to plan and implement development African Fund for Emergency Assistance for Drought projects. The Council supported the Administra­ and Famine Problems and to its endorsement of tor's initiative to channel an increased number of the World Bank's proposal for a special fund for United Nations volunteers and technical person­ sub-Saharan Africa to contribute to Africa's medium- nel to the most severely affected African countries, and longer-term recovery and development needs. and endorsed his intention to review the capacity On 14 December/37) the United States transmit­ of African field offices to undertake the additional ted a communique from die Development Assistance work-load. It noted his speedy action to implement Committee of the Organisation for Economic Co­ the General Assembly's 1983 request^31) to liqui­ operation and Development (OECD), which met in date die United Nations Emergency Operation Trust Paris on 3 and 4 December to discuss means of Fund and allocate the remaining balance to exist­ strengthening ODA and international co-operation ing funds, including 70 per cent to UNDP- to meet the acute problems of developing countries, administered funds to finance urgently needed in particular to respond more effectively to the eco­ projects, primarily for food in African countries af­ nomic and social crisis in sub-Saharan Africa. The flicted by drought (see p. 451). Committee members said they were committed to 32 working with the Secretary-General to organize ef­ By another decision of the same date/ ) the fective international emergency action and were Governing Council approved an allocation of $1.5 providing food and other assistance either directly million for a regional project in sub-Saharan Africa or through international institutions and NGOs. to counter die effects of die prolonged drought mere They welcomed the efforts by the World Bank to by providing United Nations volunteers (see p. 458). strengthen aid co-ordination and to promote local The UNDP Administrator, in an April report to 33 arrangements for co-ordination, and UNDP's related the Governing Council/ ) described special efforts to strengthen the co-ordination capability programmes of assistance for specific countries. The of round-tables for LDCs. report was made in response to a number of 1983 General Assembly resolutions calling for expanded aid to several countries (Benin, Bolivia, Cape Verde, ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COUNCIL ACTION Central African Republic, Ecuador, Gambia, In July, the Economic and Social Council adopted Guinea-Bissau, Lesotho, Peru, Sierra Leone, decision 1984/188 without vote. Uganda, Vanuatu) and inviting UNDP and other United Nations organizations to consider dieir special Critical economic situation in Africa needs. At its 50th plenary meeting, on 27 July 1984, the Council decided: Communications. Japan, in a letter of 5 Sep­ 34 (a) lb request the General Assembly to include in the tember 1984/ ) referring to the Secretary-General's provisional agenda of its thirty-ninth session an item en­ appeal of 16 February for assistance to countries titled "Critical economic situation in Africa" so as to bring affected by die crisis besetting Africa, described its to a successful conclusion die initiatives taken by die Coun­ response, including food assistance to Ethiopia, cil at its second regular session of 1984; Ghana, Mozambique, Senegal and Somalia, aid (b) To transmit to the General Assembly at its thirty- for refugees in Burundi, Ethiopia, Somalia, the ninth session the documents relating to that question which Sudan, Uganda, Zaire and Zimbabwe and WFP- were before the Council at its second regular session of channelled food aid for refugees in Chad, Soma­ 1984, together with the relevant summary records. lia and the Sudan. On 29 November/35) Japan transmitted an appeal to die international commu­ Economic and Social Council decision 1984/188 nity for assistance to Africa issued by its Foreign Adopted without vote Minister after a trip that month to observe the ef­ Oral proposal by Vice-President; agenda item 4. fects of the drought. The Minister announced Meeting numbers. ESC 34-41, 50. Japanese supplemental food and agricultural aid Algeria, a Council Vice-President, expressed regret of $50 million, in addition to the food-related as­ that an informal Council working group on Africa, sistance of more than $115 million it had already which had met under his chairmanship, had been approved for 1984. unable to produce a declaration on guidelines for On 6 December/36) the United Republic of Tan­ concerted action for Africa acceptable to all interested zania transmitted a letter of 28 November to the parties. In lieu of a declaration, the group had pro­ Secretary-General from its President in his capacity posed the draft decision. Algeria said that die failure

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might be attributed to differences of approach be­ Declaration on the Critical Economic tween developed and African countries on action Situation in Africa to be taken on such matters as commodity price The General Assembly, stability and compensatory financing, and to differences Alarmed by the critical economic situation currendy with regard to objectives. Some developed coun­ prevailing in Africa, tries thought primarily in terms of emergency hu­ Commending die efforts of die Secretary-General in sen­ sitizing the international community to the plight of Africa, manitarian aid, whereas African countries considered Noting die increased concern of die international com­ that the main objective should be to bring about munity for the worsening plight of African countries affected the conditions necessary for recovery and the renewal by the crisis, of development. Having considered the critical economic situation in Africa, Consideration by the Committee for Develop­ the note by the Secretary-General and his report on the ment Planning. The Committee for Development subject, Planning (CDP), at the first part of its twenty-first Taking note of die Declaration on die Critical Economic session (Geneva, 19-21 November 1984), made recom­ Situation in Africa and the resolutions adopted by the mendations on the critical economic situation in Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the Or­ Africa/38) In a statement issued on 21 November, ganization of African Unity at its twentieth ordinary session, held at Addis Ababa from 12 to 15 November 1984, it said that in 1984-1985, over 5 million tons of grain Taking note also of the statement of the Committee for would be required to avert severe malnutrition and Development Planning, at die conclusion of its twenty- starvation in 27 countries. Tens of thousands were first session, held at Geneva from 19 to 21 November 1984, dying in the most severely affected countries, es­ on the critical economic situation in Africa, pecially in Chad, Ethiopia and Mozambique. CDP Convinced of the need for concerted action by the in­ observed, however, that emergency food aid could ternational community to assist the efforts of the Afri­ have litde impact on the deeper sources of die current can Governments by providing immediate emergency crisis: rapid population growth, civil strife, exter­ relief, and medium-term and long-term development aid, nal destabilization, the state of the world economy 1. Adopts die Declaration on the Critical Economic and natural disasters. Situation in Africa set forth in the annex to the present resolution; The circumstances could be overcome, accord­ 2. Requests the Secretary-General to take all appropriate ing to CDP, and one of the means involved rela­ measures for the full and speedy implementation of the tively small external support—less than one tenth objectives contained in the Declaration; of 1 per cent of the gross national product (GNP) 3. Also requests die Secretary-General to bring die Decla­ of the OECD countries. The World Bank, ECA, the ration to die attention of all States, and intergovernmental African Development Bank and the overwhelming and non-governmental organizations; majority of African Governments agreed that sustained 4. Further requests the Secretary-General to continue development could begin over the next three to five to monitor the situation, to assess me needs and die responses years through domestic policy reform and improved thereto, and to report thereon to the General Assembly external support. Increased support for agriculture, at its fortieth session through the Economic and Social through restructured institutions and incentives, Council. was the crux of die required domestic policy change. ANNEX _ CDP recommended that the international com­ Declaration on the Critical Economic munity agree no later than at its resumed session, Situation in Africa to be held in April 1985, on a joint financing plan 1. We the States Members of me United Nations express our deep concern at the profound economic and social for Africa along die lines recommended by die World crisis that Africa is experiencing. Over die last few years Bank, requiring total new commitments of at least the situation has assumed alarming proportions, seri­ $6 billion per year over the next three years. That ously jeopardizing not only die development process but, much was needed merely to maintain net flows at more ominously, the very survival of millions of people. the levels of recent years. Of that amount, at least 2. We are alarmed by the spectre of widespread fa­ $2 billion should be channelled into a special financing mine hanging over many African countries. Over one facility to be administered by the World Bank and hundred and fifty million people are facing hunger and IDA for use in low-income countries in Africa. The malnutrition. Prolonged unprecedented drought, accelerating Committee recommended that both bilateral aid desertification and other natural disasters have compounded an already serious situation, dislocating normal life all and African Governments' economic policies be moni­ over die continent. Alarming shortages in food and water tored. It also called for IMF, the World Bank and supplies and die depletion of livestock have led to the dis­ other sources of finance to review African access placement of millions of people within and across borders. to international liquidity and bridging finance. 3. All these factors are further straining fragile economies crippled by deep-rooted structural deficiencies, that is to say, weak physical and social infrastructures, lack of GENERAL ASSEMBLY ACTION trained human resources and dependence on die export On 3 December, the Assembly adopted without of a few primary commodities. vote resolution 39/29, diereby adopting the Declaration 4. Africa, despite its enormous potential, remains on the Critical Economic Situation in Africa. the least developed of all continents, lagging far behind

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by every economic indicator. Economic performance of velopment of Africa adopted by the Assembly of Heads many African countries is characterized by declining per of State and Government of the Organization of Afri­ capita incomes and stagnant or negative rates of growth. can Unity and die Special Memorandum on Africa's Eco­ Furthermore, food production has not kept pace with nomic and Social Crisis adopted by the Conference of population growth. According to all projections, prospects Ministers of die Economic Commission for Africa, provide for recovery, growth and development remain very dim a framework for national and subregional action and in­ unless the efforts currently under way in African coun­ ternational support. tries are fully supported by the international community. 12. We recognize that, in view of the high priority 5. Furthermore, the international economic environ­ attached by African countries to food and agriculture, ment continues to affect developing countries adversely the first urgent task is the early attainment of national and, particularly, it had a devastating impact on the al­ and collective self-reliance in food production. In this ready fragile African economies. This is manifested in connection, as highlighted in the Harare Declaration on deteriorating terms of trade, sharp declines in export earn­ the food crisis in Africa adopted on 25 July 1984 by the ings, the heavy burden of external debt and stagnating thirteendi FAO Regional Conference for Africa, national resource flows to African countries. food strategies and integrated rural development plans 6. We are aware that African countries recognize they play an important role, especially in the achievement of have the primary responsibility for their development and food security. Moreover, we recognize die important role for addressing die present crisis. They have therefore un­ of women in rural development, particularly in food dertaken and continue to undertake painful adjustment production, a role for which greater support is needed. measures at very high social and political costs. While Also important are the provision of appropriate incen­ recognizing the determined efforts of African countries tives, credit, improvement of storage and transport, reduc­ and the support provided by the international commu­ tion of food losses, in particular post-harvest losses, achieve­ nity, much more needs to be done as the situation re­ ment of a better balance between agricultural export mains very grave. commodities and food production, diversification of 7. We recognize that, in dealing with the present crisis, agricultural production and utilization of irrigation poten­ African regional and subregional efforts towards economic tial, particularly in the drought-prone areas. co-operation and integration as well as enhanced eco­ 13. Urgent action is needed at die international level nomic and technical co-operation among developing coun­ to support national and regional efforts to implement tries play an important role in the achievement of na­ the Regional Plan of Action to Combat the Effects of tional and collective self-reliance and sustained Drought in Africa and die Plan of Action to Combat Deser­ development in Africa. tification. 8. We are aware that the maintenance of peace and 14. Increased resources for rapid implementation of security and die strengdiening of international co-operation the Industrial Development Decade for Africa and the are important for meeting the challenge of development. Transport and Communications Decade in Africa are 9. We fully recognize that emergency relief aid on required. Furthermore, efforts at national, subregional a massive scale is urgently needed in the following areas: and regional levels to develop the necessary and much additional food aid and other emergency supplies, togedier needed skilled manpower, and to build technological ca­ with the technical and financial assistance necessary for pacities, require increased international support. their transportation, storage and distribution to the af­ 15. We fully acknowledge diat, in die light of die wor­ fected populations; improvement of water supplies; im­ sening economic situation in Africa, the interrelation­ provement of health and nutrition, particularly for vul­ ship between the debt problem, concessional flows and nerable groups, including refugees and displaced persons; export earnings and dieir direct impact on recovery, growdi safeguarding national nuclei of herds of livestock; estab­ and development assume even greater significance. It lishment of income-generating projects and promotion is vital, therefore, to take urgent and mutually reinforc­ of new and renewable energy projects, particularly in ing measures in tiioseareas , taking into account die Special rural areas. In addition to die assistance already provided Memorandum on Africa's Economic and Social Crisis, by die international community, further urgent assistance the Addis Ababa Declaration on Africa's External In­ from bilateral and multilateral donors and non­ debtedness adopted by die African Ministers of Finance governmental organizations is required to meet die above and die World Bank Special Programme for Sub-Saharan and other identified emergency needs in a comprehen­ Africa, in order to complement and support domestic sive manner, as well as to strengdien die emergency preven­ adjustment efforts in African countries. tion and preparedness capacities of African countries. 16. Africa is experiencing a very serious debt problem, 10. Of particular importance is the need to under­ repayment and servicing of which is taking a very high take urgent action to speed up and support the recov­ percentage of already reduced export earnings. The ery and rehabilitation process in African countries, es­ problem is further exacerbated by factors such as deteri­ pecially of the agricultural and industrial sectors as well orating terms of trade, decline in concessional flows in as for physical and social infrastructures. Assistance for real terms and increased use of short-term commercial increasing die import capacity for vital imports, dirough credit. Without an increase in net capital inflows and adequate balance-of-payments support and other rele­ urgent debt relief measures, prospects for recovery and vant measures, would help to establish a sound basis for development in Africa will be undermined. the resumption and acceleration of sustained economic 17. Bilateral and multilateral creditors should take and social development in Africa. concerted measures to ease the debt burden of African 11. We agree that in confronting the challenge of de­ countries. For official and officially guaranteed debt, total velopment, national policies and measures, such as those or partial conversion of official development assistance outlined in the Lagos Plan of Action for die Implemen­ debts into grants, longer maturities and grace periods, tation of the Monrovia Strategy for the Economic De­ lower or concessional interest rates and extended multi-

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year rescheduling are among the measures to be dealt ments, upon request, and should pursue its own efforts with urgently within the framework of close consulta­ to enhance co-ordination at the programme and opera­ tion with each of the debtor countries concerned, as well tional levels, in conformity with relevant General Assembly as any other measures to be agreed upon. It is essential resolutions. to ensure the full and urgent implementation of Trade 23. We are convinced that in addressing the critical and Development Board resolution 165(S-IX) of 11 March needs of African countries there are many areas where 1978. Multilateral financial institutions should expedite the United Nations could play an important role both resource disbursement. Reduction in international in­ in mobilizing the necessary resources and in carrying terest rates would further alleviate the debt burden. out specific activities. In this respect, existing resources Moreover, the full co-operation of commercial banks is allocated for programmes in Africa should, in consul­ indispensable. The capacity of African countries to manage tation with African Governments, be refocused to ad­ their debt should be improved through the provision of dress identified priority areas. There is need for further technical assistance, particularly by international agencies. improvement in the efficiency and programme delivery 18. We recognize that African countries, in view of of United Nations activities in Africa. Furthermore, ad­ their heavy dependence on concessional financial flows ditional voluntary contributions should be mobilized to and their limited access to alternative sources of exter­ ensure the implementation of projects and programmes nal finance, require a substantial and sustained increase in priority areas. in the volume of these flows through bilateral donors and 24. We urge all organs, organizations and bodies of multilateral channels for development finance and technical the United Nations system to give greater attention to co-operation. The international community, in partic­ Africa and to continue to mobilize resources for assist­ ular the developed countries and the multilateral finan­ ing African countries in dealing with the current crisis cial institutions, should endeavour to provide the addi­ and its longer-term ramifications. tional financial resources to maintain and increase a net transfer of resources to African countries. The World Bank 25. We further urge bilateral and multilateral donors, is strongly urged to explore with donors possible ap­ as well as non-governmental organizations, to take all proaches, including a special facility, in mobilizing the necessary measures to support the efforts of the African resources required to implement the Bank's Special Pro­ countries aimed at alleviating the critical economic sit­ gramme for Sub-Saharan Africa. uation in Africa. 19. The full and speedy implementation of the Sub­ 26. We request the Secretary-General to continue his stantial New Programme of Action for the 1980s for the commendable efforts in alerting and sensitizing the in­ Least Developed Countries, particularly with regard to ternational community to the plight of African countries, the official development assistance level, would greatly in mobilizing additional assistance to Africa, as well as augment resource flows to many African countries. Sup­ in co-ordinating the activities of the United Nations system plementary funding for the International Development in Africa and in monitoring the situation, and to present Association and the early completion of the replenish­ periodic reports thereon. ment of the International Fund for Agricultural Develop­ 27. We are convinced that unless urgent action is taken ment would ensure at least the maintenance of the real the rapidly deteriorating situation in Africa may well lead value of resources channelled to Africa. to disaster. We are therefore fully committed to supporting 20. The heavy dependence of African countries on the efforts of African countries to meet the dual challenge the export of a few primary commodities renders them of survival and development by taking concerted and ur­ particularly vulnerable to the sharp price fluctuations gent measures commensurate with the needs outlined that result in drastic shortfalls in export earnings. Ur­ in the present Declaration. gent action is therefore needed to stabilize commodity prices on long-term trends and to improve and increase General Assembly resolution 39/29 the use of compensatory financing arrangements for export earnings shortfalls, such as the Compensatory Financ­ 3 December 1984 Meeting 83 Adopted without vote ing Facility of the International Monetary Fund. Improved Draft by Cameroon IA/39/L22), orally amended by co-ordinator following consul­ tations; agenda item 139. market access for African primary and processed products, Meeting numbers. GA 39th session: plenary 47-52, 83. efforts of African countries to diversify production, and the early and effective operation of the Common Fund Japan, the co-ordinator of informal consultations for Commodities require intensified international action. on this agenda item, orally informed the Assem­ 21. The modalities and quality of official develop­ bly of amendments agreed to in paragraph 17 fol­ ment assistance flows in terms of a greater grant element, untied resources and simplified procedures for aid delivery lowing consultations: the measures listed to ease should be improved through, inter alia, speedier disburse­ the debt burden of African countries became meas­ ments and greater reliance on more flexible forms of as­ ures "to be dealt with urgendy" radier Uian measures sistance, such as non-project programme and sector aid, "which deserved urgent action", and the word "Fur­ including local and recurrent costs. thermore" was removed from the beginning of the 22. We acknowledge that there is room for further following sentence. improvement in the co-ordination of assistance and the In a separate action, die Assembly, in resolution efficient and effective use of resources. Co-ordination of 39/239 A on the financial emergency of me United multilateral as well as bilateral assistance is primarily the responsibility of recipient Governments and, in this Nations, called for a special postage stamp issue connection, effective national co-ordinating mechanisms to sensitize the international community to the social can play an important role. The United Nations system and economic crisis in Africa, half tiie revenues from should extend technical assistance in this field to Govern­ which were to be earmarked to implement objec-

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tives of the Declaration on the Critical Economic necessary funds had been provided, mainly by Situation in Africa. bilateral donors. The drought appeared to have By resolution 39/8 on co-operation between the ended in 1984, although water shortages continued United Nations and OAU, the Assembly com­ in many parts of the country and total rainfall was mended die Secretary-General for his updated report still below normal. Long-term solutions to water on the critical economic situation in Africa.w It availability and storage problems were needed, and expressed appreciation for his initiative in alerting a significant food gap remained. the international community to the situation and Following the donors' round-table in March for organizing special programmes of economic as­ 1983, t40) Benin had revised many of die projects in­ sistance for African States, and welcomed his steps itially presented as its national development and to facilitate international co-operation to assist Africa. investment programme for 1983-1987 and revised Appreciation was also expressed to die World Bank, cost estimates. UNDP and odier international financial institutions for their response to the critical situation as well GENERAL ASSEMBLY ACTION as their assistance in organizing round-table and On 17 December, the General Assembly, acting donor conferences in favour of African LDCs and on the recommendation of the Second Commit­ those requiring special economic assistance tee, adopted resolution 39/185 without vote. programmes. The Assembly called on Member States and organizations to participate in measures Special economic assistance to Benin to deal with the economic crisis in Africa, and on The General Assembly, the international community to provide long-term Recalling its resolutions 35/88 of 5 December 1980, 36/208 assistance to the affected African States, particu­ of 17 December 1981, 37/151 of 17 December 1982 and larly diose suffering from natural disasters; appreci­ 38/210 of 20 December 1983, in which it appealed to the ation was expressed to UNDRO, WFP, FAO, WHO and international community to provide effective and con­ tinuous financial, material and technical assistance to UNICEF for their assistance in this regard. Mem­ Benin so as to help that country overcome its financial ber States and United Nations organizations were and economic difficulties, called on to increase assistance to the African States Recalling also Security Council resolution 419(1977) of affected by serious economic problems, in partic­ 24 November 1977, in which the Council appealed to ular problems of displaced persons, and die organi­ all States and all appropriate international organizations, zations' attention was drawn to the need to publi­ including the United Nations and its specialized agen­ cize die social and economic development of Africa, cies, to assist Benin, in particular the critical economic situation. Having heard the statement made by the representa­ tive of Benin on 5 November 1984, in which he described Resolution 39/165 dealt widi a related problem— the serious economic and financial situation of his country the critical food and agriculture situation in Africa. and the action taken by his Government to tackle these difficulties, Benin Having considered the report of the Secretary-General on assistance to Benin, As requested by the General Assembly in 39 Noting from the report that, in spite of various unfavoura­ 1983/ ) the Secretary-General reported on special ble factors, Benin continues to achieve some positive results economic and disaster relief assistance to Benin, in its development efforts thanks to the action taken by which was classified by the United Nations as an the Government and the assistance provided by the in­ LDC. The September 1984 report^2) was based on ternational community, die findings of a review mission sent to Benin from Deeply concerned, nevertheless, by the fact that Benin 18 to 22 June. continues to experience serious economic and financial Beniri had appealed to the international com­ difficulties, characterized by a marked balance-of-payments disequilibrium, heavy burdens of its external debt and munity on 26 January for assistance in dealing widi a lack of resources to implement its planned economic urgent economic and social problems resulting from and social development programme, drought and abnormal rainfall which had caused Noting also that the persisting unfavourable climatic con­ food shortages, estimated by the Government to be ditions in the coastal and northern regions of Benin have 50,000 to 70,000 metric tons of cereals, rural water led to losses in agricultural and livestock production, shortages and electrical power outages. UNDP and Noting that a round-table conference of partners in the UNDRO had responded prompdy. An ad hoc United economic and social development of Benin was held at Nations emergency committee was established, con­ Cotonou in March 1983 and that the Government took sisting of all relevant United Nations representa­ steps to organize the follow-up of its results, tives and experts in the country. In co-operation Taking into consideration the objectives of Benin's national with the Government, UNDRO formulated a plan development plan for 1983-1987, of action, focusing on improving wells, water dis­ Having noted the efforts made by the Government of Benin to mobilize international support for the coun­ tribution, providing and transporting food, a vac­ try's development plan by organizing the round-table con­ cination campaign and livestock protection; its es­ ference held at Cotonou in March 1983 with the assistance timated cost was $1.7 million and, by April, the of the United Nations Development Programme,

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Considering that Benin is one of the least developed sembly in 1983/41) A United Nations mission which countries, visited that country from 9 to 16 June 1984 noted 1. Expresses its appreciation to the Secretary-General fothar t the Government was operating with a deficit the steps he has taken to organize and mobilize support forecast for 1984 of approximately $6.3 million and for the international programme of economic assistance there was a continuing trade deficit. In 1984, the to Benin; total external debt stood at $119.5 million, representing 2. Takes note of the report of the review mission sent to Benin in June 1984; 150 per cent of the gross domestic product (GDP). 3. Notes with satisfaction the interest and support whichDeb t service for the year was estimated at $4.5 million. the participants in the round-table conference have shown The food situation was seriously affected by er­ for Benin's development plan; ratic rainfall—drought followed by torrential rains 4. Expresses its appreciation for the assistance alreadyi n September—and, taking into account existing provided or pledged to Benin by Member States, United stocks, estimated domestic production, commer­ Nations bodies and regional, interregional and intergovern­ cial imports and food aid pledged, there remained mental organizations; an estimated food deficit of 36,871 tonnes for 1984. 5. Appeals to Member States, international financial Under WFP, over 43,000 persons were receiving food institutions, the specialized agencies and other United aid. The Government had concluded long-term food Nations bodies to respond generously and urgently to the needs of Benin as set forth in that country's develop­ aid agreements with France, Switzerland, die United ment plan for 1983-1987; States and the European Economic Community 6. Requests the appropriate programmes and organi­ (EEC) and was seeking similar arrangements with zations of the United Nations system—in particular the odier donors. The Government strengdiened mechan­ United Nations Development Programme, the Food and isms for food aid distribution to vulnerable groups Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, the In­ by mobilizing army and civil administration resources, ternational Fund for Agricultural Development and the but external assistance was needed to implement United Nations Children's Fund—to maintain and ex­ its water supply, job creation and livestock preser­ pand their programmes of assistance to Benin, to co­ vation programmes. operate closely with the Secretary-General in organiz­ UNCTAD, in a January 1985 report on its assistance ing an effective international programme of assistance 42 and to report periodically to him on the measures they to Cape Verde, Uganda and Vanuatu/ ' said it had have taken and the resources they have made available undertaken activities relating to trade and regional to help that country; economic integration in Cape Verde, financed by 7. Invites the United Nations Development Pro­ UNDP. As an LDC, Cape Verde was eligible to benefit gramme, the United Nations Children's Fund, the World from measures provided for in SNPA, adopted in Food Programme, the World Health Organization, the 1981,(14' and, as an island developing country, it was Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, entitled to other benefits from UNCTAD. In a reso­ the World Bank and the International Fund for Agricul­ lution of 6 April/43' the Trade and Development tural Development to bring to the attention of their govern­ Board requested mat the UNCTAD Secretary-General, ing bodies, for their consideration, the special needs of Benin and to report the decisions of those bodies to the in co-operation with UNDP, identify Cape Verde's Secretary-General by 15 July 1985; assistance needs within UNCTAD's competence and 8. Requests the Secretary-General: make efforts to meet those needs. Among die projects (a) To continue his efforts to mobilize the necessary identified by the Secretary-General's mission to Cape resources for implementing die projects of me special pro­ Verde, there were two (institutional reinforcement gramme of economic assistance to Benin; of commerce, and a stabilization fund for food security) (b) To render appropriate assistance to the Govern­ which were eligible for UNCTAD support. ment of Benin for mobilizing the resources necessary for UNDP continued implementing the Cape Verde implementing its national development plan; country programme for 1983-1986, expending $1.2 (c) To keep the situation in Benin under constant million on priority projects in 1984, according to review and, in consultation with the Government of Benin, 44 to report to the General Assembly as soon as necessary. a March 1985 report of the Administrator/ ) Two projects approved for urgent implementation were General Assembly resolution 39/185 a desalination plant, and procurement of spare parts 17 December 1984 Meeting 103 Adopted without vote for rural development activities for controlling deser­ Approved by Second Committee (A/39/793) without vote, 30 November (meeting tification. 54); 29-nation draft (A/C.2/39/L.43); agenda item 83 tbl. Sponsors: Algeria, Angola, Bangladesh, Benin, Bhutan, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Central African Republic, China, Congo, Cyprus, Democratic Yemen, Djibouti, GENERAL ASSEMBLY ACTION Egypt, Ethiopia, France, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea-Bissau, Lebanon, Liberia, Madagas­ On 17 December, the Assembly, acting on the car, Malawi, Niger, Pakistan, Togo, Tunisia, Vanuatu, Viet Nam. Meeting numbers. GA 39th session: 2nd Committee 32-37, 44, 54; plenary 103. recommendation of the Second Committee, adopted resolution 39/189 without vote. Cape Verde Assistance to Cape Verde Special economic assistance to Cape Verde was The General Assembly, the subject of an August 1984 report^3' by the Recalling its resolutions on assistance to Cape Verde, Secretary-General, as requested by the General As­ in particular its resolution 38/219 of 20 December 1983,

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in which the international community was requested to Verde, or on its behalf by the specialized agencies and provide an appropriate level of resources for the im­ other competent organizations of the United Nations plementation of the programme of assistance to Cape system, to help it cope with the critical situation in the Verde as envisaged in the reports of the Secretary- country; General, 9. Once again draws the attention of the international com­ Recalling resolutions 142(VI) and 138(VI) of 2 July munity to the special account established at United Nations 1983 of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Headquarters by the Secretary-General, in accordance Development on the progress in the implementation of with General Assembly resolution 32/99, for the purpose the Substantial New Programme of Action for the 1980s of facilitating the channelling of contributions to Cape for the Least Developed Countries, and on activities in Verde; the field of island developing countries, 10. Invites the United Nations Development Pro­ Noting that Cape Verde is one of the least developed gramme, the United Nations Conference on Trade and countries and a small archipelagic State, with a fragile Development, the United Nations Children's Fund, the and open economy, aggravated by endemic and severe World Food Programme, the World Health Organiza­ drought, tion, the United Nations Industrial Development Or­ Reiterating that increased substantial, continuous and ganization, the Food and Agriculture Organization of predictable assistance from the international commu­ the United Nations, the World Bank and the Interna­ nity is needed for the effective completion of the First tional Fund for Agricultural Development to continue National Development Plan (1982-1985), to consider, through their governing bodies, the special Gravely concerned at the critical food situation in Cape needs of Cape Verde and to report the decisions of those Verde resulting from the failure of seasonal rains, the bodies to the Secretary-General by 15 July 1985; continuing recurrence of drought and the spreading 11. Requests the Secretary-General: desertification, (a) To continue his efforts to mobilize the necessary Recognizing the strenuous efforts deployed by the resources for implementing the programme of develop­ Government and people of Cape Verde in the process ment assistance to Cape Verde; of the economic and social development of their coun­ (b) To keep the situation in Cape Verde under con­ try despite existing constraints, stant review, to apprise the Economic and Social Coun­ 1. Takes note of the report of the Secretary-General, cil, at its second regular session of 1985, of the progress to which is annexed the report of the review mission sent made in the implementation of the present resolution to Cape Verde in response to General Assembly reso­ and to report thereon to the General Assembly at its fortieth lution 38/219; session; 2. Expresses its appreciation to the Secretary-General (c) To arrange for a review of the economic situa­ for the efforts deployed in mobilizing resources for the tion in Cape Verde and, in consultation with die Govern­ implementation of the programme of assistance to Cape ment of Cape Verde, to make a substantive report on Verde; die implementation of the special programme of economic 3. Expresses its gratitude to States and to international,assistanc e for Cape Verde to be considered by die General regional and interregional organizations and other in­ Assembly at its forty-first session. tergovernmental organizations for their contribution to the programme of assistance to Cape Verde; General Assembly resolution 39/189 4. Reaffirms the need for all Governments and in­ 17 December 1984 Meeting 103 Adopted without vote ternational organizations to implement their commit­ Approved by Second Committee (A/39/7931 without vote, 30 November (meeting ments undertaken within the framework of the Substan­ 54); 48-nation draft (A/C.2/39/L.49); agenda item 83 lb). tial New Programme of Action for the 1980s for die Least Sponsors: Afghanistan, Algeria, Angola, Argentina, Austria, Bangladesh, Brazil, Burkina Developed Countries, particularly those undertaken at Faso, Cameroon, Canada, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, China, Congo, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Egypt, France, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, the round-table conference of Cape Verde's partners in Iceland, India, Italy, Japan, Libyan Arab Jamahiriya, Madagascar, Mali, Maurita­ development, held at Praia from 21 to 23 June 1982; nia, Mozambique, Nicaragua, Niger, Pakistan, Panama, Portugal, Sao Tome and 5. Urges Governments and international, regional Principe, Senegal, Spain, Sudan, Sweden, Trinidad and Tobago, United Repub­ lic of Tanzania, United States, Vanuatu, Yugoslavia, Zambia, Zimbabwe and interregional organizations and other intergovern­ Meeting numbers. GA 39th session: 2nd Committee 32-37, 45, 54; plenary 103. mental organizations to extend and intensify substan­ tially their assistance for the early implementation of Central African Republic the programme of assistance to Cape Verde; The Secretary-General, in response to a 1983 re­ 6. Invites the international community, in particu­ 45 lar donor countries, to take appropriate and urgent quest of the General Assembly/ ) arranged for a measures to support the effective completion of the First review mission to visit the Central African Republic National Development Plan (1982-1985) of Cape Verde; from 9 to 16 June 1984 in order to report on the 7. Requests the organs, organizations and bodies of economic situation there and on implementing the the United Nations system to continue and increase their special programme of economic assistance. According assistance to Cape Verde, to co-operate with the to the mission's report, annexed to the Secretary- Secretary-General in his efforts to mobilize resources General's August report,(4) the Central African for the implementation of the programme of assistance Republic, a land-locked LDC, continued to suffer and to report periodically to him on the measures they die effects of a November 1982-May 1983 drought, have taken and the resources they have made available to help that country; including bush fires, pests, loss of crops, electric­ 8. Calls upon the international community to con­ ity shortages, disease and interruption of transport. tinue to contribute generously to all appeals for food Accordingly, it had been included on the FAO/WFP and fodder assistance made by the Government of Cape list of countries in need of exceptional international

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assistance. The general slow-down in economic ac­ difficulties in implementing its socio-economic development tivity resulted in loss of revenues and worsening programmes, balance-of-payments deficits. Efforts were under Particularly concerned that the Government of the Cen­ way to implement a 1983-1985 national action plan, tral African Republic is unable to provide the popula­ tion with adequate health, educational and other essen­ designed to improve agriculture, forestry, livestock, tial social and public services because of an acute shortage fisheries and rural infrastructure, in particular trans­ of financial and material resources, port, sanitation, water supply, social services, edu­ Wang account of die losses suffered by the Central African cation and health. The 1983/84 production of sta­ economy following the great drought of 1982-1983, ple crops declined significantly, and the projected Noting with satisfaction the considerable efforts exerted earnings for 1984 decreased by 40 per cent. by the Government and people of the Central African The country's GDP, of which agriculture ac­ Republic for national reconstruction, rehabilitation and counted for one third, increased in 1984 by 9.2 per development, despite the limitations confronting them, cent over 1983, and the economy grew at an esti­ Also noting the intention of the Central African Government to organize, with the assistance of the United Nations mated 6 per cent. At the end of 1984, external debt Development Programme, a round-table conference of was $262 million, representing 44 per cent of GNP donors in 1985, and 166.7 per cent of exports of goods and serv­ Taking note of die report of the Secretary-General, submitted ices. External debt-service payments represented pursuant to General Assembly resolution 38/211, to which 4.7 per cent of GDP. By June 1984, of die 17 projects was annexed die report of the review mission sent to die in the special programme of economic assistance Central African Republic in June 1984, awaiting funding in 1982, six had been fully funded, Also taking note of table 7 of the annex to the report of five partially funded, two had good funding prospects, die Secretary-General according to which substantial ad­ two had not received any financing, and two had ditional assistance for the special programme of economic been withdrawn by the Government. assistance is needed to finance projects which have only been implemented in part and others for which finance has not yet been obtained, including new high-priority GENERAL ASSEMBLY ACTION projects specified therein, Acting on the recommendation of the Second 1. Expresses its appreciation to the Secretary-General for Committee, the Assembly adopted on 17 Decem­ the efforts he has made to mobilize resources for carry­ ber resolution 39/180 without vote. ing out the programme of assistance to the Central African Republic; Assistance for the reconstruction, rehabilitation 2. Reiterates its appreciation to States, international, regional and development of the Central African Republic and interregional organizations and other intergovern­ The General Assembly, mental organizations for their contribution to the pro­ Recalling its resolution 35/87 of 5 December 1980, in gramme of assistance to the Central African Republic; which it affirmed the urgent need for international ac­ 3. Notes with concern, however, diat the assistance provided tion to assist the Government of the Central African under diis heading continues to fall far short of the country's Republic in its efforts for reconstruction, rehabilitation urgent needs; and development of the country and invited the inter­ 4. Urgently draws the attention of the international com­ national community to provide sufficient resources to munity to table 7 of the annex to the Secretary-General's carry out the programme of assistance to the Central Afri­ report, which indicates die projects still in need of financing; can Republic, 5. Reiterates its appeal to all States to contribute generously, Recalling also its resolutions 36/206 of 17 December 1981, through bilateral or multilateral channels, to the recon­ 37/145 of 17 December 1982 and 38/211 of 20 Decem­ struction, rehabilitation and development of the Cen­ ber 1983, in which it noted with concern diat the assistance tral African Republic; provided had not been adequate to meet the urgent needs 6. Urges all States, organizations and financial institutions of the country, to participate in the round-table conference of donors Recalling fartherit s resolution 38/195 of 20 December scheduled for 1985 and to contribute to the financing of 1983 on the implementation of the Substantial New Pro­ the projects to be submitted; gramme of Action for the 1980s for the Least Developed 7. Requests the appropriate programmes and organi­ Countries, zations of the United Nations system—in particular the Considering that the Central African Republic is land­ United Nations Development Programme, die World Bank, locked and is classified as one of the least developed the International Monetary Fund, die Food and Agriculture countries, Organization of the United Nations, the International Taking note of the statement made by the Minister for Fund for Agricultural Development, the World Food Pro­ Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation of the gramme, die Worid Healdi Organization, the United Nations Central African Republic on 11 October 1984, in which Children's Fund, the United Nations Fund for Popula­ he described the economic problems of concern to the tion Activities and die United Nations Industrial Develop­ Central African Republic and stated that, because of the ment Organization—to maintain their programmes of lack of financial means, external aid continued to be es­ assistance to the Central African Republic, to co-operate sential to the country, closely with the Secretary-General in his efforts to or­ Also taking note of the statement made by the represen­ ganize an effective international programme of assistance tative of the Central African Republic on 6 November and to report periodically to him on the steps they have 1984, according to which, despite an incipient economic taken and the resources they have made available to help recovery, his country continued to be faced by enormous that country;

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8. Invites regional and interregional organizations nomic assistance for that country in time for the mat­ and other intergovernmental and non-governmental or­ ter to be considered by the General Assembly at its ganizations to give urgent consideration to the estab­ fortieth session. lishment of a programme of assistance to the Central African Republic or, where one is already in existence, General Assembly resolution 39/180 to the expansion and considerable strengthening of that 17 December 1984 Meeting 103 Adopted without vote programme with a view to its implementation as soon Approved by Second Committee (A/39/793) without vote, 30 November (meeting as possible; 54); 39-nation draft (A/C.2/39/L.38), orally revised following informal consulta­ 9. Urges all States and relevant United Nations tions; agenda item 83 tbl. bodies—in particular the United Nations Development Sponsors: Benin, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, China, Comoros, Congo, Cyprus, Democratic Kampuchea, Djibouti, Egypt, Equatorial Programme, the World Food Programme, the United Guinea, Ethiopia, France, Gabon, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Haiti, Japan, Nations Children's Fund, the World Health Organiza­ Lesotho, Liberia, Madagascar, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Nigeria, Pakistan, Rwanda, tion, the United Nations Fund for Population Activi­ Sao Tome and Principe, Sierra Leone, Swaziland, Thailand, Togo, Uganda, Yugo­ ties and the United Nations Industrial Development slavia, Zaire, Zambia. Organization—to provide all possible assistance to help Meeting numbers. GA 39th session: 2nd Committee 32-37,45,54; plenary 31,103. the Government of the Central African Republic to cope with the critical humanitarian needs of the population When the draft text was introduced in the Sec­ ond Committee, Kuwait proposed an amend- and to provide, as appropriate, food, medicines and es­ 46 sential equipment for schools and hospitals, as well as ment( ' to paragraph 8 to delete mention of IFAD to meet the emergency needs of the population in the and specific non-United Nations regional, inter­ drought-stricken areas of the country; regional and other intergovernmental and non­ 10. Invites the United Nations Development Pro­ governmental organizations in its invitation to gramme, the United Nations Children's Fund, the such bodies to consider establishing a programme World Food Programme, the World Health Organiza­ of assistance to the Central African Republic. The tion, the United Nations Industrial Development Or­ Secretary later informed the Committee that, dur­ ganization, the Food and Agriculture Organization of ing informal consultations, it had been agreed that the United Nations, the World Bank and the Interna­ tional Fund for Agricultural Development to bring to the text should be revised by inserting UNFPA in the attention of their governing bodies, for their con­ paragraph 7 and by replacing paragraph 8 with sideration, the special needs of the Central African the text subsequently adopted. Kuwait then with­ Republic and to report the decisions of those bodies to drew its amendment. the Secretary-General by 15 July 1985; 11. Again draws the attention of the international com­ Chad munity to the special account opened by the Secretary- General at United Nations Headquarters, in accordance Chad, an LDC, had experienced civil unrest with General Assembly resolution 35/87, for the pur­ since 1965, which continued to affect the economic pose of facilitating the channelling of contributions to situation, the Secretary-General reported to the the Central African Republic; General Assembly in September 1984. W The very 12. Requests the Secretary-General: slight increase in GDP between 1980 and 1984 in (a) lb continue his efforts to organize a special emer­ nominal terms indicated that no real economic gency assistance programme with regard to food and growth had taken place. As a result largely of an health, especially medicaments, vaccines, hospital equip­ increased cotton harvest, which accounted for two ment, generating sets for field hospitals, water pumps and food products in order to help the vulnerable popu­ thirds of export revenue, and a reduced import bill, lations; Chad's trade balance moved from a deficit in 1983 (b) To continue also his efforts to mobilize neces­ to a small surplus in 1984. Food production gener­ sary resources for an effective programme of financial, ally fell in 1983/84, due in large part to the short­ technical and material assistance to the Central Afri­ age of rain, but also to the displacement of people can Republic; fleeing from combat zones. The food deficit for the (c) To ensure that the necessary financial and bud­ 1983/84 season was estimated at 138,000 tonnes. getary arrangements are made to continue the organi­ In response to Chad's request to the international zation of the international programme of assistance to community for 57,000 tonnes of emergency as­ the Central African Republic and the mobilization of sistance, 67,430 tonnes were pledged and, as at 31 that assistance; May 1984, 16,208 tonnes had been received. The (d) To keep the situation in the Central African Republic under constant review, to maintain close con­ transport capacity for food was considered ade­ tact widi Member States, specialized agencies, regional quate, although diere were operating problems for and other intergovernmental organizations and the in­ ferries on the Chari River and storage capacity ternational financial institutions concerned and to ap­ needed to be expanded. Additional health supplies prise the Economic and Social Council, at its second were also needed. regular session of 1985, of the status of the special pro­ gramme of economic assistance for the Central African An emergency assistance programme for Chad Republic; consisting of 122 projects costing $341 million was (e) To report on the progress made in the economic drawn up. Of the total, 32 projects received fund­ situation of the Central African Republic and in organiz­ ing, amounting to $107 million, 59 were consid­ ing and implementing the special programme of eco­ ered as in the pipeline or as the subject of further

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negotiations with interested donors, and 31 were 5. Again requests the Administrator of the United without response. Nations Development Programme to give all the neces­ sary assistance to Chad for the preparation and organi­ zation of the conference of donors and contributors of GENERAL ASSEMBLY ACTION funds, in accordance with General Assembly resolution On 17 December, the Assembly, on the recom­ 38/214; mendation of the Second Committee, adopted 6. Invites States and governmental and non­ resolution 39/195 without vote. governmental organizations to take part in the confer­ ence of donors and contributors of funds and to accord Special economic assistance to Chad particular attention to the projects to be presented there The General Assembly, with a view to financing them; Recalling its resolution 38/214 of 20 December 1983 7. Requests the Secretary-General: and its previous resolutions on assistance in the recon­ (a) To continue his efforts to organize die special pro­ struction, rehabilitation and development of Chad, emergency humanitarian assistance to Chad and spe­ gramme of economic assistance for Chad; cial economic assistance to that country, (b) To monitor, in close collaboration with the hu­ Having considered the reports of the Secretary-General manitarian agencies concerned, the humanitarian needs, on special economic assistance to Chad, relating, inter particularly in the areas of food and health, of the peo­ alia, to the economic and financial situation of Chad, ple displaced by the war and the drought; the status of assistance provided for the rehabilitation (c) To mobilize special humanitarian assistance for and reconstruction of the country and the progress made persons who have suffered as a result of the war and the in organizing and executing the programme of assistance drought and for the resettlement of displaced persons; for that country, (d) To keep the situation in Chad under review and Gravely concerned by the unprecedented drought whicht o report thereon to the General Assembly at its fortieth is wreaking havoc in Chad at the present time, com­ session. pounding the already precarious food and health situa­ tion and thus compromising all the country's efforts at General Assembly resolution 39/195 reconstruction, 17 December 1984 Meeting 103 Adopted without vote Considering that the drought has occasioned a massive Approved by Second Committee (A/39/793) without vote, 30 November (meeting displacement of population, 54); 38-nation draft IA/C.2/39/L.60); agenda item 83 tbl. Taking note of the appeal of die Secretary-General dated Sponsors: Bangladesh, Burkina Faso, Burma, Burundi, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Central 1 November 1984 and the numerous appeals launched African Republic, Chad, Chile, China, Comoros, Democratic Kampuchea, Djibouti, Dominican Republic, Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, Ethiopia, France, Gabon, Gam­ by die Government of Chad and governmental and non­ bia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Haiti, Italy, Japan, Liberia, Madagascar, Mali, governmental organizations regarding the gravity of the Mozambique, Niger, Ffckistan, Sierra Leone, Swaziland, logo, United States, Vanuatu, food and health situation in Chad, Zaire. Considering that Chad is one of die least developed coun­ Meeting numbers. GA 39th session: 2nd Committee 32-37, 45, 54; plenary 103. tries and therefore entitled to the benefits provided for in die various relevant resolutions of the General Assembly, Comoros Recognizing the need for emergency humanitarian as­ The Comoros, an archipelago country poor in sistance to Chad, natural resources, was unable to produce adequate Abo recognizing the need for assistance in the recon­ food for its population of about 400,000 and relied struction and development of Chad, Taking note of die intention of die Government of Chad on imports of upwards of 20,000 tonnes of rice an­ to organize in 1985, with the assistance of the United nually, according to a September 1984 report of the Nations Development Programme, a conference of Secretary-General.0 Rapid population growth (3.5 donors and contributors of funds, as agreed at the In­ per cent per annum) and long periods of drought ternational Conference on Assistance to Chad, held in exacerbated the situation. Lack of trained human November 1982, resources in all sectors of the economy and inade­ 1. Expresses its gratitude to the States and governmen­quate health conditions and care were also factors. tal and non-governmental organizations which The primary sector—agriculture, animal husbandry, responded and are continuing to respond generously to fisheries and forestry—employed more than 80 per the appeals of the Government of Chad and of the cent of the active population and accounted for almost Secretary-General by furnishing assistance to Chad; all export earnings. Those earnings depended heavily 2. Further expresses its appreciation to the Secretary- General for his efforts to make the international com­ on a few cash crops subject to strong price fluctu­ munity aware of the difficulties of Chad and to mobi­ ations over which the country had no control. lize assistance for that country; The Government presented an investment pro­ 3. Appeals to the international community to pro­ gramme for a 1983-1986 development plan to a vide the necessary emergency humanitarian assistance donors' round table—the first international solidarity to the people of Chad who have suffered from the war conference for the development of the Comoros— and the drought; held at Moroni from 2 to 4 July 1984. The pro­ 4. Renews the request made to States, appropriate or­ ganizations and programmes of the United Nations sys­ gramme of 19 priority projects, estimated to cost tem and international economic and financial institu­ $89.7 million, stressed food self-sufficiency, improve­ tions to contribute to the rehabilitation and recon­ ment of inter-island communications, energy, water struction of Chad; supply, health programmes and training.

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GENERAL ASSEMBLY ACTION technical and material assistance to the Comoros; On 17 December, the Assembly, on the recom­ (b) To keep the situation in the Comoros under con­ stant review, to maintain close contact with Member States, mendation of the Second Committee, adopted the specialized agencies, the regional and other inter­ resolution 39/193 without vote. governmental organizations and international financial Assistance to the Comoros institutions concerned, and to apprise the Economic and The General Assembly, Social Council, at its second regular session of 1985, of the status of the special programme of economic assistance Recalling its resolution 38/209 of 20 December 1983 for the Comoros; and its previous resolutions on assistance to the Comoros, in which it appealed to the international com­ (c) To report on the evolution of the economic situ­ munity to provide effective and continuous financial, ation of me Comoros and the progress made in organizing material and technical assistance to the Comoros in and implementing the special programme of economic order to help that country overcome its financial and assistance for that country in time for the matter to be economic difficulties, considered by the General Assembly at its fortieth ses­ sion. Taking note of the special problems confronting the Comoros as an island developing country and as one of the least developed countries, General Assembly resolution 39/193 Noting that the Government of the Comoros has given 17 December 1984 Meeting 103 Adopted without vote priority to the questions of infrastructure, transport and Approved by Second Committee (A/39/793) without vote, 30 November (meeting telecommunications, 54); 38-nation draft (A/C.2/39/L.57I; agenda item S3 lb). Sponsors: Angola, Bahamas, Bangladesh, Burkina Faso, Central African Republic, Noting also the economic difficulties arising from the Chad, China, Colombia, Comoros, Congo, Cyprus, Democratic Kampuchea, Djibouti, country's scarcity of natural resources, compounded by Egypt, Ethiopia, France, Gabon, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Indonesia, Ivory the recent drought and cyclones, Coast, Japan, Liberia, Madagascar, Malawi, Morocco, Niger, Oman, Pakistan, Sao Tome and Principe, Senegal, Singapore, Somalia, Sudan, Thailand, United Noting further the grave budgetary and balance-of- Republic of Tanzania, United States. payments problems facing the Comoros, Meeting numbers. GA 39th session: 2nd Committee 32-37, 45, 54; plenary 103. Bearing in mind the holding at Moroni, from 2 to 4 July 1984, of the first international solidarity conference Djibouti for the development of the Comoros, Having examined the summary report of the Secretary- Djibouti, an LDC not endowed with many natural General, resources, continued in 1984 to suffer from a 1. Expresses its appreciation to the Secretary-Generalprolonge d drought; in order to assess the situation, for the steps he has taken to mobilize assistance for the the Secretary-General sent a mission there as re­ Comoros; quested by the Economic and Social Council in reso­ 2. Notes with satisfaction the response by various lution 1984/6 (see p. 513). As it almost totally lacked Member States, organizations of the United Nations sys­ an agricultural sector, Djibouti needed to import tem and other organizations to its appeals and those of practically all its foodstuffs, according to a September the Secretary-General for assistance to the Comoros; report of the Secretary-General, w Other factors 3. Notes with concern, however, that the assistance thus contributing to its fragile economic situation were far provided continues to fall short of the country's ur­ a high population growth rate (3 per cent) and a gent requirements and that assistance is still urgently required in order to implement the projects described continuing influx of refugees (approximately 15,000, in the report of the Secretary-General; or nearly 5 per cent of the Djibouti population), 4. Appeals to those States and organizations which most of whom were drought victims from Ethio­ participated in the first international solidarity confer­ pia and Somalia. Nevertheless, by the end of 1984, ence for the development of the Comoros, to put into the slowing down of the Djibouti economy appeared effect as soon as possible their declaration of intent; to have ceased. 5. Renews its appeal to Member States, the appropri­ The Government estimated the GDP growth rate ate organs, programmes and organizations of the United for 1984 at 0.6 per cent. While the per capita GDP Nations system, regional and international organizations and other intergovernmental bodies and non-govern­ was estimated at $450 for the year, the expatriate mental organizations, as well as international financial community accounted for a sizeable share of GDP institutions, to provide the Comoros with assistance to and, given the population growth, real per capita enable it to cope with its difficult economic situation and income declined. Djibouti's balance of payments pursue its development goals; continued to decline in 1984. Almost all exports and 6. Requests the appropriate programmes and organi­ imports reflected activities of non-residents, since zations of the United Nations system to increase their most products merely passed through Djibouti, thus current programmes of assistance to the Comoros, to making minimal contribution to the economy. Less co-operate closely with the Secretary-General in organiz­ than 50 per cent of the recorded imports were for ing an effective international programme of assistance the consumption of Djiboutians; most were sent to and to report periodically to him on the steps they have a French military base. The decline in export earn­ taken and the resources they have made available to help that country; ings was also due to budgetary constraints exer­ 7. Requests the Secretary-General: cised by France with regard to its activities in Djibouti (a) To continue his efforts to mobilize the necessary and to the appreciation of the Djibouti franc in re­ resources for an effective programme of financial, lation to the French franc.

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A special investment programme of 117 projects of assistance and to report periodically to him on the steps amounting to $570 million was drawn up at a round- they have taken and the resources they have made available table of development partners held in Djibouti in to help that country; November 1983. <47) As of mid-1984, 93 had been 7. Requests the Secretary-General: (a) To continue his efforts to mobilize the necessary funded; the remainder had either been partially funded resources for an effective programme of financial, tech­ or were under negotiation with potential donors. nical and material assistance to Djibouti; (b) To keep the situation in Djibouti under constant GENERAL ASSEMBLY ACTION review, to maintain close contact with Member States, On the recommendation of the Second Committee, the specialized agencies, regional and other intergovernmental the Assembly on 17 December adopted resolution organizations and the international financial institutions concerned, and to apprise the Economic and Social Council, 39/200 without vote. at its second regular session of 1985, of the current sta­ Assistance to Djibouti tus of the special programme of economic assistance for Djibouti; The General Assembly, Recalling its resolution 38/213 of 20 December 1983 and (c) To report on the progress made in the economic its previous resolutions on assistance to Djibouti, in which situation of Djibouti and in organizing and implement­ it drew the attention of the international community to ing the special programme of economic assistance for the critical economic situation confronting Djibouti and that country in time for the matter to be considered by to the country's urgent need for assistance, the General Assembly at its fortieth session. Deeply concerned at the adverse effects of the prolonged drought on the economic and social development of Djibouti, General Assembly resolution 39/200 Recalling also its resolution 37/176 of 17 December 1982, 17 December 1984 Meeting 103 Adopted without vote in which it called upon the international community to Approved by Second Committee (A/39/793) without vote, 30 November (meeting continue to support the efforts made by the Government 54); 31-nation draft IA/C2/39/L65); agenda item 83 lb). Sponsors: Algeria, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Benin, Central African Republic, Chad, of Djibouti to cope with the needs of the refugee population, Comoros, Democratic Vemen, Djibouti, Ethiopia, Ghana, Guinea-Bissau, Japan, Bearing in mind its resolution 37/133 of 17 December Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Liberia, Libyan Arab Jamahiriya, Madagascar, Mali, 1982, in which it decided to include Djibouti in the list Mauritania, Oman, Pakistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Soma­ lia, Tunisia, Uganda, Yemen. of the least developed countries, Meeting numbers. GA 39th session: 2nd Committee 32-37, 47, 54; plenary 103. Having examined the summary report of the Secretary- General, In a related text, the Assembly, in resolution 39/205, Noting the critical economic situation of Djibouti and urged the establishment of an assistance programme the list of urgent and priority projects formulated by the for six drought-stricken countries of East Africa, Government that require international assistance, including Djibouti. 1. Expresses its appreciation to the Secretary-General for the steps he has taken to organize an international pro­ gramme of economic assistance for Djibouti; Equatorial Guinea 2. Notes with appreciation the assistance already provided Equatorial Guinea, an LDC with a climate and or pledged to Djibouti by Member States, organizations soil suited to food production, had communications of the United Nations system and other organizations; and transportation problems due to its geographical 3. Draws the attention of the international community situation and a literacy rate believed to be about to the difficult economic situation confronting Djibouti 30 per cent, according to the Secretary-General's and to the severe structural constraints to its development; September 1984 report/1) 4. Renews its appeal to Member States, the appropri­ Outstanding external public debt was estimated ate organs, organizations and programmes of the United Nations system, regional and international organizations at $90 million, some 50 per cent more than esti­ and other intergovernmental bodies and non-governmental mated GDP. Total debt was about six times the value organizations, as well as international financial institu­ of exports. Main export crops were cocoa, timber tions, to provide assistance bilaterally and multilaterally, and coffee. as appropriate, to Djibouti in order to enable it to cope The majority of projects in the country's 1982- with its difficult economic situation and to implement 1984 programme presented to a donors' conference its development strategies, including the programme of in 1982(4®) had been funded, although some sec­ assistance that was presented at the round-table of de­ tors, particularly water and sanitation, had received velopment partners convened by the Government of Djibouti in November 1983; practically no funding. 5. Appeals to the international community to provide financial, material and technical assistance, as a matter GENERAL ASSEMBLY ACTION of urgency, to alleviate the sufferings of the population On 17 December, the Assembly, on the recom­ affected by drought and for the implementation of the mendation of the Second Committee, adopted reso­ drought-related projects and programmes; lution 39/181 without vote. 6. Requests the appropriate specialized agencies and other organizations of the United Nations system to maintain Assistance for the reconstruction, rehabilitation and increase their current and future programmes of as­ and development of Equatorial Guinea sistance to Djibouti, to co-operate closely with the Secretary- The General Assembly, General in organizing an effective international programme Recalling its resolutions 35/105 of 5 December 1980,

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36/204 of 17 December 1981 and 37/133 of 17 Decem­ programmes of the United Nations system, especially ber 1982, the United Nations Development Programme and the Recalling also its resolution 38/224 of 20 December United Nations Institute for Training and Research, to 1983, in which it appealed to all Member States to establish, maintain and expand their programmes of as­ respond generously, through bilateral or multilateral sistance to Equatorial Guinea, particularly in the areas channels, to the reconstruction and development needs of public administration and public finance in which of Equatorial Guinea as presented at the International a general transformation is required as a result of Conference of Donors for the Economic Reactivation Equatorial Guinea's entry into the Central African Cus­ and Development of Equatorial Guinea, and called upon toms and Economic Union and the Bank of Central regional and interregional organizations and other in­ African States; tergovernmental and non-governmental organizations, 8. Requests the Secretary-General: as well as international financial and development in­ (a) To intensify his efforts to mobilize the necessary stitutions, to give urgent consideration to the establish­ resources for an effective programme of financial, tech­ ment of a programme of assistance to Equatorial Guinea nical and material assistance to Equatorial Guinea; or, where one was already in existence, to its expansion (b) To keep the situation in Equatorial Guinea under in accordance with the programme established by the review, to maintain close contact with Member States, International Conference of Donors, the specialized agencies, regional and other intergovern­ Recalling farther that Equatorial Guinea is one of the mental organizations and competent international finan­ least developed countries, cial institutions and to apprise the Economic and So­ Having considered the summary report of the Secretary- cial Council, at its second regular session of 1985, of General, submitted pursuant to General Assembly reso­ the status of assistance to Equatorial Guinea; lution 38/224, (c) To submit to the General Assembly at its for­ Noting with concern that Equatorial Guinea continues tieth session a report on the economic situation of to be beset by serious economic and financial difficul­ Equatorial Guinea and the progress made in implement­ ties, and continues to suffer from a food situation made ing the present resolution; precarious by the absence of large-scale food-crop 9. Also requests the Secretary-General to include in production projects, his report, in close collaboration with the Administra­ Recognizing once again the essential role of both short- tor of die United Nations Development Programme, in­ term and long-term international assistance in support formation on the response of the international commu­ of the efforts of the Government of Equatorial Guinea nity to the 1982-1984 three-year programme presented in the difficult task of reconstruction, rehabilitation and at the International Conference of Donors for the Eco­ development of the country, nomic Reactivation and Development of Equatorial Bearing in mind the statement made by the Minister Guinea. of State in charge of External Affairs and Co-operation of Equatorial Guinea, on 11 October 1984, on the General Assembly resolution 39/181 progress achieved in the sphere of regional co-operation, 17 December 1984 Meeting 103 Adopted without vote Recognizing the efforts made by the Government and people of Equatorial Guinea towards the internal eco­ Approved by Second Committee (A/39/793) without vote, 30 November (meeting 54); 35-nation draft (A/C.2/39/L39), orally revised following informal consulta­ nomic recovery and the social development of the tions; agenda item 83 fb). country, Sponsors: Afghanistan, Argentina, Bahamas, Bangladesh, Barbados, Burundi, Cam­ 1. Reaffirms its resolution 38/224 and other relevant eroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Congo, Democratic Kampuchea, Domini­ can Republic, Egypt, El Salvador, Equatorial Guinea, Ethiopia, France Gabon, resolutions and calls for their implementation; Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Indonesia, Kenya, Liberia, Madagascar, Morocco, 2. Takes note of the summary report of the Secretary- Nigeria, Pakistan, Panama, Somalia, Spain, Sudan, Tunisia, United Republic of General; Tanzania, Uruguay. 3. Expresses its thanks to the Secretary-General for his Meeting numbers. GA 39th session: 2nd Committee 32-37,44, 54; plenary 31,103. efforts to organize and mobilize the necessary resources for an effective programme of assistance to Equatorial After the draft resolution was presented, the Guinea; Secretary informed the Second Committee that, 4. Reiterates its appeal to all Member States to con­ during informal consultations, it had been agreed tinue to respond generously, through bilateral or multi­ that paragraph 8 (c)—originally asking the lateral channels, so as to meet, in full, the needs indi­ Secretary-General to include in his 1985 report, cated in the 1982-1984 three-year programme presented in particular, .the international community's in 1982 at the International Conference of Donors for response to the three-year programme presented the Economic Reactivation and Development of at the 1982 donors' conference—would be divided Equatorial Guinea; into two paragraphs, 8 (c) and 9. 5. Notes the entry of Equatorial Guinea into the Cen­ tral African Customs and Economic Union and the Bank of Central African States; Gambia 6. Expresses its thanks to States and international, The Gambia, an LDC, had an annual popula­ regional and interregional organizations and other in­ tion growth rate of 3.5 per cent. Per capita GDP tergovernmental organizations for their assistance to for 1983/84 was estimated at $280, a decline of 13 Equatorial Guinea; 7. Earnestly calls upon all Member States and inter­ per cent from 1982/83. About 80 per cent of the national and regional organizations and other inter­ population depended on agriculture for its liveli­ governmental organizations, as well as international hood. The 1983/84 fiscal year was the poorest financial and development institutions and appropriate agricultural season since 1978/79, although the im-

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pact of the drought varied gready from crop to crop. Aware that a round-table conference of donors was held Ground-nuts, the principal source of income (nor­ in the Gambia in November 1984, with the assistance mally 85 to 90 per cent of export earnings), were of the United Nations Development Programme, to dis­ subject to fluctuations in production and prices due cuss the country's development needs and to consider ways and means of helping the Government in its ef­ to weather and world demand. The UNDP Adminis­ 44 forts to meet those needs, trator observed in a 1985 report' ) that the situa­ 1. Takes note of the summary report of the Secretary- tion was exacerbated by an increase in imports which General; affected the country's balance of payments, and by 2. Expresses its appreciation to the Secretary-General reduced government revenue. Financing required for the steps he has taken to mobilize assistance for the to cover the deficit amounted to 15 per cent of GDP Gambia; in 1983/84. Local food production normally cov­ 3. Expresses its appreciation also to those States and or­ ered about 70 per cent of die country's requirements; ganizations that have provided assistance to the Gambia; some 35,000 tonnes of cereals, mainly rice, were 4. Draws the attention of the international community imported annually. to the need for assistance for the projects and programmes identified by the Secretary-General in his In 1983/84, drought was even more severe than report; in previous years, with rainfall at 50 per cent of the 5. Renews its urgent appeal to Member States, special­ normal level, resulting in a loss of about half of the ized agencies and other organizations of the United Gambia's cereal production. Following the Govern­ Nations system, regional and interregional organizations ment's appeal in August 1983 for food assistance,(49) and other intergovernmental and non-governmental or­ food pledges were made; however, as at May 1984, ganizations, as well as international development and a deficit of 10,657 tonnes of cereals remained to be financial institutions, to give generous assistance to the met. Gambia, through bilateral or multilateral channels, and to provide financial, technical and material assistance In his September report on special programmes for the implementation of the projects and programmes of economic assistance, W the Secretary-General recommended by the Secretary-General in his report; mentioned that six projects worth $18.5 million, 6. Urges donors, as appropriate, to provide finan­ which had been recommended for aid in 1982, (50) cial assistance to the Gambia to help meet the local coun­ had received no external funding. terpart costs of externally assisted projects, bearing in A round-table donors' conference, held at Ban­ mind that the Gambia is classified as a least developed jul in November 1984 with UNDP assistance, en­ drought-stricken country; 7. Urges Member States, organizations and dorsed recommendations for follow-up activities and programmes of the United Nations system, regional and co-ordination. The donors expressed interest in interregional bodies, financial and development insti­ specific projects, and/or made commitments to give tutions, as well as intergovernmental and non­ support. governmental organizations, to respond generously to the needs of the Gambia at the round-table conference GENERAL ASSEMBLY ACTION of donors held in November 1984; 8. Requests the appropriate organizations and On the recommendation of the Second Commit­ programmes of the United Nations system—in partic­ tee, the Assembly, on 17 December, adopted reso­ ular the United Nations Development Programme, the lution 39/203 without vote. United Nations Children's Fund, the United Nations Fund for Population Activities, the World Food Pro­ Assistance to the Gambia gramme, the World Health Organization, the United The General Assembly, Nations Industrial Development Organization, the Food Recalling its resolution 38/212 of 20 December 1983, and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations and in which it, inter alia, noted that the Gambia is a least the International Fund for Agricultural Development— developed country with acute economic and social to increase their current and future programmes of as­ problems arising from its weak economic infrastructure sistance to the Gambia, to co-operate closely with the and that it also suffers from many of the serious problems Secretary-General in organizing an effective interna­ common to countries of the Sahelian region, notably tional programme of assistance and to report periodi­ drought and desertification, cally to him on the steps they have taken and the Having considered the summary report of the Secretary- resources diey have made available to assist that country; General, in which the recent economic situation in the 9. Invites the United Nations Development Pro­ Gambia is described, gramme, the United Nations Children's Fund, the Concerned that the Gambia continues to encounter serious World Food Programme, the World Health Organiza­ balance-of-payments and budgetary problems and not­ tion, the United Nations Industrial Development Or­ ing that the lack of domestic resources is the most im­ ganization, the Food and Agriculture Organization of portant constraint on development, since the Govern­ the United Nations, the World Bank and the Interna­ ment lacks the funds to meet the counterpart costs of tional Fund for Agricultural Development to bring to donor-assisted projects, the attention of their governing bodies, for their con­ Noting that external assistance is still required to ena­ sideration, the special needs of the Gambia and to report ble the Government of the Gambia to implement the six the decisions of those bodies to the Secretary-General projects recommended by the Secretary-General in his by the end of June 1985; report, 10. Requests the Secretary-General:

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(a) To continue his efforts to mobilize the necessary resources and natural resources development, resources for an effective programme of financial, tech­ agricultural planification, forestry, crops, agricul­ nical and material assistance to the Gambia; tural statistics and rural development by FAO; (b) To keep the situation in the Gambia under con­ maritime training by IMO; postal services fellow­ stant review, to maintain close contact with Member ships by UPU; civil aviation training and equip­ States, the specialized agencies, regional and other in­ tergovernmental organizations and the international ment by ICAO; financial data compilation and financial institutions concerned, and to apprise the Eco­ processing by IMF; and loans for oil refinery and nomic and Social Council, at its second regular session export rehabilitation and oil palm projects by the of 1985, of the status of the special programme of eco­ World Bank. nomic assistance for the Gambia; UNDP helped co-ordinate aid with regard to (c) To report on the progress made in the economic Ghana's 1984-1986 emergency economic recovery situation of the Gambia and in organizing and im­ programme, which focused on rebuilding infra­ plementing the special programme of economic as­ structure and mobilizing traditional exports: sistance for that country in time for the matter to be cocoa, timber and gold. Following a mid-term considered by the General Assembly at its fortieth session. review in November 1984, it was agreed that the programme needed some reorientation, with the

General Assembly resolution 39/203 major focus of UNDP assistance shifting to rural 17 December 1984 Meeting 103 Adopted without vote development and planning. A consultative group meeting of the World Bank was held in Paris in Approved by Second Committee (A/39/793) without vote, 30 November (meeting 54); 20-nation draft (A/C.2/39/L71), orally revised following informal consulta­ December to mobilize resources for Ghana, and tions; agenda item 83 (b). donors expressed support for its economic recov­ Sponsors: Algeria, Bangladesh, Ethiopia, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, 51 Lesotho, Liberia, Madagascar, Mali, Niger, Nigeria, Pakistan, Saint Lucia, Sene­ ery programme, launched in April 1983.( ) gal, Sierra Leone, Somalia, United Arab Emirates, United States. Meeting numbers. GA 39th session: 2nd Committee 32-37, 47, 54; plenary 103. Guinea Before approval of the resolution in the Second Guinea, an LDC, grew at a relatively low rate Committee, the Secretary informed the members of 2.3 per cent per annum since 1980, reflecting that, during informal consultations, it had been a deterioration in the health situation. As a direct agreed to add UNFPA in paragraph 8 and to in­ consequence, there had been an increase in die in­ vite organizations mentioned in paragraph 9 to fant mortality rate to almost 200 per 1,000 in 1983, report by the end of June 1985, rather than by the highest in the world. Per capita GDP was esti­ 1985. mated at $270. The rural sector accounted for 37.9 per cent of GDP, but the agricultural output had Ghana not ensured food self-sufficiency. Apart from min­ In 1984, Ghana experienced its first solid eco­ ing, Guinea's development had been based solely nomic gains since 1978. Normal weather ended on the public sector. Public enterprises were three consecutive years of drought, and food producing at less than 15 per cent of capacity and production increased. Food prices declined and the registered heavy losses. high inflation rate of 1983 (over 174 per cent at The Secretary-General, in a November 1984 6 one time) decreased to 23 per cent by August 1984. report on assistance to Guinea,' ) said that Hydroelectric power was restored, resulting in in­ Guinea, on 8 June, had requested emergency aid creased industrial production. After three years of from the international community. In July, the decline, trade volume increased in 1984, even Economic and Social Council had asked him, in though it was still only slightly more than 50 per consultation with Guinea, to organize an as­ cent of that of 1980. Imports increased, but were sistance mission. insufficient to meet the need for raw materials, spare parts and equipment required for Ghana's ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COUNCIL ACTION economic recovery programme. On 26 July, the Economic and Social Council 12 The Secretary-General reported' ) that special adopted resolution 1984/59 without vote. It acted economic assistance provided to Ghana by the on the recommendation of its Third (Programme United Nations system was for mining, popula­ and Co-ordination) Committee. tion statistics and development planning by DTCD; technologies for rural women by ILO; logistics ar­ Critical situation in Guinea rangements at ports, distribution networks and The Economic and Social Council, storage facilities by UNDRO and ILO; agricultural Noting the statement made on 18 July 1984 before the Third (Programme and Co-ordination) Committee of development by IFAD; industrial planning and the Council by the Minister for Planning and Statistics programming in the brick and tile industries by of Guinea concerning the difficult situation of his coun­ UNDP and UNIDO; water supply, planning and for­ try, characterized by a subsistence economy, a lack of mal education by UNICEF; emergency food aid infrastructure, a low per capita income, a chronic deficit and development projects by WFP; forest energy in the State budget and a very heavy foreign debt,

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Noting also the reference by the Minister to the letter the economy, and with the help of the World Bank dated 8 June 1984 from the Head of State of Guinea to and IMF, the Government had introduced eco­ the Secretary-General, describing the social and economic nomic, monetary and social reforms. situation of his country and requesting emergency aid The per capita GDP of Guinea was $270, one of from the international community and the United Nations in the economic, social and humanitarian fields, the lowest in die world. Since 1980, the annual growth Confirming the urgent need for international action to rate of per capita GDP had been declining, decreas­ assist the Government of Guinea in its national recon­ ing by 20 per cent in 1983. struction and rehabilitation efforts, taking account of the The mission recommended a two-pronged ap­ fact that Guinea is classified as one of the least devel­ proach by the international community to help oped countries, Guinea: a 12-month emergency humanitarian as­ 1. Appeals urgently to all Member States and to inter­ sistance programme to provide food, veterinary governmental and non-governmental organizations and products, pharmaceuticals, school supplies and international financial institutions to contribute gener­ laboratory equipment; and a 1985-1987 interim pro­ ously to the reconstruction and rehabilitation of Guinea; gramme of economic rehabilitation to restore produc­ 2. Requests the organizations and bodies of the United tive capacity, provide essential services, promote Nations system to expand their programmes of assistance die private sector and improve government perform­ to Guinea and to co-operate closely with the Secretary- ance. The mission proposed that once the Govern­ General in organizing an effective international pro­ gramme of assistance; ment's request had been reviewed by the special­ 3. Requests the Secretary-General, in consultation with ized agencies, the Secretary-General should appeal the Government of Guinea, to organize a programme for donations to cover the emergency programme. of social, economic and humanitarian assistance to support The Government would also require technical as­ the actions of the Government with a view to discharg­ sistance in economic and administrative planning. ing the urgent tasks of national reconstruction and re­ In addition, the mission recommended that a sec­ habilitation; ond mission, in which UNDP, DTCD and the World 4. Invites the Secretary-General, after consultation Bank were represented, visit Guinea to help it pro­ with the Government of Guinea, to report to the General gramme the external assistance requirements and Assembly, at its thirty-ninth session, the requisite infor­ prepare an interim programme of key technical as­ mation concerning die action to be taken or the proposals sistance needs. A joint UNDP/World Bank mission to be made with a view to providing the necessary aid to Guinea in October defined more precisely the to the Government of Guinea. Government's needs in technical assistance, equip­ ment and logistic support for preparing the interim Economic and Social Council resolution 1984/59 programme. 26 July 1984 Meeting 49 Adopted without vote Approved by Third Committee (E/l 984/148) without vote, 23 July (meeting 15); 5 nation draft (E/1984/C.3/L.8), orally corrected; agenda item 18. GENERAL ASSEMBLY ACTION Sponsors: Bangladesh, France, Pakistan, Senegal for African Group, United States. Addressing the General Assembly on 4 October, Secretary-General's report. Pursuant to the Guinea said the end of a 26-year regime on 3 April Council's 26 July resolution, the Secretary-General 1984 had left Guinea facing a disastrous economic sent a mission to Guinea from 19 to 24 August and situation, with the public treasury depleted and a submitted its report to the Assembly in Novem­ people discouraged by the prospect of a future lacking ber/6) The mission, led by the Assistant Adminis­ food, hospitals, medicines, schools, decent hous­ trator of UNDP and Regional Director, Regional ing, transport and good roads, a people whose needs Bureau for Africa, surveyed the economic situa­ were immense. He pointed out that, in the frame­ tion, described the country's economic policies and work of open and mutually beneficial co-operation, development strategies, and made recommenda­ a new investment code, which provided sufficient tions for follow-up action. It concluded that Guinea, incentive, had recendy been prepared and published. despite its diverse natural resources, had been suffer­ The Assembly, acting without vote on the recom­ ing for many years from a decline in agricultural mendation of the Second Committee, adopted reso­ production, especially food; deterioration of social lution 39/202 on 17 December. services, especially education and health care; losses in government revenues and foreign exchange; in­ Economic and financial assistance to Guinea efficient operation of many State enterprises; and The General Assembly, inefficient administration. Causes included an un­ Having considered the report of the Secretary-General official market which provided 80 per cent of con­ on assistance to Guinea, sumer goods, the world economic recession, the fall Recalling Economic and Social Council resolution in prices of raw materials, an overly centralized 1984/59 of 26 July 1984, in which die Council confirmed government apparatus, drought, and the mass in­ the urgent need for international action to assist the Government of Guinea in its efforts to bring about na­ flux of Guinean refugees who were returning after tional reconstruction, rehabilitation and development, liberalization measures were instituted in April 1984 Noting the statement made by the Minister for For­ by the new Government. In order to rehabilitate eign Affairs of Guinea on 4 October 1984, in which he

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described his country's serious socio-economic and financial cil's second 1985 session. On 28 December, the problems, Secretary-General appealed to Member States to Noting with concern the grave balance-of-payments contribute to an emergency humanitarian assistance problems facing Guinea, programme for Guinea. Deeply concerned by die weakness and underdevelopment of Guinea's economic and social infrastructure, which constitutes a major obstacle to the country's economic Guinea-Bissau development and to raising the living standard of its popu­ In May 1984, the first round-table donors' con­ lation, ference for assistance to Guinea-Bissau was organized Taking note, in this context, of the results of the United at Lisbon, Portugal, for which UNDP, UNCTAD and Nations Conference on the Least Developed Countries, DTCD helped in the preparations. Some $2.1 mil­ in particular the Substantial New Programme of Action lion of UNDP indicative planning figure resources for the 1980s for the Least Developed Countries, were expended on projects for die country, a drought- Recalling that Guinea is one of the least developed stricken LDC. Odier United Nations assistance was countries, provided in several areas, including: dam build­ 1. Takes note of the report of the Secretary-General; ing, electricity, public finance, development plan­ 2. Expresses its gratitude for the support which Mem­ning and training for civil servants by DTCD; water ber States, specialized agencies and other United Nations bodies and regional organizations have provided to as­ supply by UNICEF and UNCHS; medical and para­ sist the people of Guinea in their reconstruction and re­ medical personnel training, family health, sex edu­ habilitation efforts; cation, and maternal and child health statistics by 3. Appeals urgently to all Member States, specialized UNFPA; food development projects and emergency agencies and other United Nations bodies, as well as to operations by WFP; agricultural planning, seed im­ international economic and financial institutions and other provement, fisheries, livestock, food security, and aid donors, to contribute generously, through bilateral development of natural resources by FAO; funding or multilateral channels, to the reconstruction, rehabili­ for transportation by the World Bank and IDA; tation and development of Guinea; studies on manufacturing by UNIDO; training in 4. Requests the Secretary-General to continue his ef­ civil aviation, airport improvement and supply of forts and to mobilize financial, technical and economic equipment by ICAO; vocational training by ILO; rice assistance from the international community for Guinea, development by IFAD; banking expertise by IMF; so as to enable it to meet its short-term and long-term needs within the framework of its development pro­ and navigation and ship maintenance by IMO. gramme; 5. Invites the United Nations Development Pro­ GENERAL ASSEMBLY ACTION gramme, the World Health Organization, the Food and On 17 December, the Assembly, on the recom­ Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Or­ mendation of die Second Committee, adopted reso­ ganization, the World Bank, the International Fund for lution 39/186 without vote. Agricultural Development, the United Nations Children's Special economic assistance to Guinea-Bissau Fund and the World Food Programme to bring to the attention of their governing bodies, for priority consider­ The General Assembly, ation, the special needs of Guinea, and to keep the Recalling its resolution 35/95 of 5 December 1980, in Secretary-General informed of decisions taken in that which it renewed its appeal to the international community regard; to continue to provide effective financial, material and technical assistance to Guinea-Bissau to help it overcome 6. Requests the Secretary-General to apprise the Eco­ its financial and economic difficulties and to permit the nomic and Social Council, at its second regular session implementation of the projects and programmes recom­ of 1985, and the General Assembly, at its fortieth ses­ mended by the Secretary-General in his report submit­ sion, of the results achieved in the implementation of the ted pursuant to General Assembly resolution 34/121 of present resolution. 14 December 1979, Recalling also its resolution 36/217 of 17 December 1981, General Assembly resolution 39/202 Recalling further its resolution 3339(XXIX) of 17 De­ 17 December 1984 Meeting 103 Adopted without vote cember 1974, in which it invited Member States to pro­ Approved by Second Committee (A/39f793) without vote, 30 November (meeting vide economic assistance to the then newly independent 54); 50 nation draft (A/C.2/39/L69), orally revised, following informal consulta­ State of Guinea-Bissau, and its resolutions 32/100 of 13 tions; agenda item 83 lb). December 1977 and 33/124 of 19 December 1978, in which Sponsors: Afghanistan, Algeria, Argentina, Bangladesh, Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, China, Comoros, Congo, Demo­ it, inter alia, expressed deep concern at the gravity of the cratic Kampuchea, Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, Ethiopia, France, Gabon, Gambia, economic situation in Guinea-Bissau and appealed to Ghana, Guatemala, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Haiti, India, Japan, Lesotho, Liberia, the international community to provide financial and eco­ Madagascar, Mali, Mauritania, Morocco, Nepal, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Paki­ nomic assistance to that country, stan, Romania, Sao Tome and Principe, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Spain, Sudan, Togo, Tunisia, Uganda, United Republic of Tanzania, Yugoslavia, Zaire Recalling that Guinea-Bissau is one of the least devel­ Meeting numbers. GA 39th session: 2nd Committee 32-37,47, 54; plenary 21,103. oped countries, Noting with concern that Guinea-Bissau continues to ex­ Following informal consultations, the Secretary perience serious economic and financial difficulties, informed the Second Committee that it had been Noting also with concern that the gross national product agreed to revise paragraph 6 by specifying the Coun­ of Guinea-Bissau has decreased in real terms, that the

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balance-of-payments deficit continues to rise, that the (b) To keep the situation in Guinea-Bissau under con­ external debt is imposing a heavy burden on the coun­ stant review, to maintain close contact with Member States, try's fragile economy and that the budget deficit has also specialized agencies, regional and other intergovernmental grown substantially, organizations and the international financial institutions Noting that Guinea-Bissau is one of the drought-stricken concerned, and to apprise the Economic and Social Coun­ countries, cil, at its second regular session of 1985, of the status of Noting also that Guinea-Bissau continues to have the special programme of economic assistance for Guinea- problems in supplying staple foodstuffs to satisfy the needs Bissau; of its population, 11. Also requests the Secretary-General to carry out, Noting with satisfaction the main features of the first four- in close collaboration wim die Administrator of die United year development plan (1983-1986) of Guinea-Bissau and Nations Development Programme, an evaluation of die the implementation of the 1983-1984 stabilization pro­ results of the round-table conference of donors and of gramme, the progress made in organizing and implementing the Also noting with satisfaction the results of the round-table special programme of economic assistance for Guinea- conference of donors for Guinea-Bissau, held at Lisbon Bissau, in time for the status of this programme to be in May 1984, considered by die General Assembly at its fortieth session. 1. Expresses its appreciation to the Secretary-General for the steps he has taken to mobilize assistance for Guinea- General Assembly resolution 39/186 Bissau; 17 December 1984 Meeting 103 Adopted without vote 2. Draws the attention of the international community to the assistance required for implementing the projects Approved by Second Committee (A/39/793) without vote, 30 November (meeting 54); 47-nation draft (A/C2/39/L44I, orally revised following informal consulta­ and programmes submitted at the round-table conference; tions; agenda item 83 Food and Agriculture Organization of die United Nations, the World Bank and die International Fund for Agricul­ The mission noted that, widi a per capita income tural Development to bring to die attention of their govern­ of less than $300 per year, Lesotho was regarded ing bodies, for dieir consideration, the special and pressing by the United Nations as an LDC. Lesotho's size, needs of Guinea-Bissau and to report the decisions of geographical position and limited natural resources diose bodies to the Secretary-General before 15 July 1985; resulted in heavy dependence on South Africa, a 9. Requests the specialized agencies and odier appropri­ country with whose social and political policies it ate United Nations bodies to report periodically to the was in basic disagreement. Lesotho bought capi­ Secretary-General on the steps they have taken and the tal and consumer goods, including much of its grain resources diey have made available to assist Guinea-Bissau; supply, from South Africa. Income earned by 10. Requests the Secretary-General: (a) To continue his efforts to mobilize the necessary migrant miners and other workers in South Africa resources for an effective programme of financial, tech­ was equal to or greater than the income generated nical and material assistance to Guinea-Bissau; within die country. The two major goals of Lesotho's

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development policy were to reduce its dependence closure of certain border posts between South Africa and on South Africa and to improve the well-being of Lesotho aimed at coercing Lesotho into according recog• its people. The 1980-1985 development programme nition to the bantustan of the Transkei, focused on promoting high-value crops, improv• Recalling also Security Council resolution 535(1983) of 29 June 1983, in which the Council endorsed the report ing livestock, expanding irrigation, broadening the of the mission dispatched to Lesotho in response to reso• export base, import substitution, and diversifying lution 527(1982) of 15 December 1982, markets, credit facilities and marketing channels. Commending the decision of the Government of Lesotho The most serious constraints on development re• not to recognize the Transkei, in compliance with United mained Lesotho's geopolitical situation and the need Nations decisions, particularly General Assembly reso• for financial assistance, in particular grants and con• lution 31/6 A of 26 October 1976, cessional aid. Also commending the Government of Lesotho for its stead• Lesotho's balance of payments was characterized fast opposition to apartheid and its generosity to the South by large trade deficits financed mainly by remit• African refugees, tances from migrant workers and transfers. It was Fully aware that the decision of the Government of Lesotho not to recognize the Transkei and its acceptance estimated that exports covered less than 15 per cent of refugees from South Africa have imposed special eco• of import costs. Agriculture remained the most im• nomic burdens upon its people, portant sector, accounting for about 70 per cent Strongly endorsing the appeals for assistance to Lesotho of total domestic employment and providing sub• made in Security Council resolutions 402(1976) of 22 De• sistence for about 50 per cent of the rural popula• cember 1976, 407(1977) of 25 May 1977 and 535(1983) tion. However, only 13 per cent of the land was suita• of 29 June 1983, in General Assembly resolutions 32/98 ble for farming. Prolonged drought had a serious of 13 December 1977, 33/128 of 19 December 1978, 34/130 impact on agriculture and, on 4 April, the Prime of 14 December 1979, 35/96 of 5 December 1980, 36/219 Minister had declared a state of national food emer• of 17 December 1981, 37/160 of 17 December 1982 and 38/215 of 20 December 1983, gency for the second year in succession. Under nor• Having examined the report of the Secretary-General, mal circumstances, Lesotho needed to import ap• submitted in response to General Assembly resolution proximately 150,000 tonnes of grain, but 38/215, which contains a review of the economic situa• requirements for 1984 were estimated to be dou• tion and of the progress made in the implementation of ble that amount. the special programme of economic assistance for Lesotho, Industrial development remained at a small scale, Noting the priority which the Government of Lesotho and manufacturing, including handicrafts, con• accords to raising levels of food production through in• tributed only 4 to 5 per cent of GDP. The major creased productivity, thus lessening the country's depen• dency on South Africa for food imports, factors inhibiting manufacturing included the small Aware that the high prices paid by Lesotho for its im• domestic market, competition from South Africa, ports of petroleum products as a result of the oil embargo and the shortage of skilled manpower. on South Africa have become a serious impediment to The mission reported on progress in implementing the development of the country, the 10 specific projects identified by the Secretary- Recognizing, in connection with such embargoes, the General's mission in 1983(53' in response to a 1982 obligation of the international community to help countries request by the Security Council.^4) such as Lesotho that act in support of the Charter of the Lesotho, with UNDP support, convened a donors' United Nations and in compliance with General Assembly resolutions, round-table conference at Maseru from 14 to 17 Recalling its resolutions 32/160 of 19 December 1977 May, at which it presented 38 projects valued at and 33/197 of 29 January 1979 concerning the Trans• $67 million, as well as the proposed highlands water port and Communications Decade in Africa and, in this project (see p. 184), which in 1980 had been esti• regard, noting Lesotho's geopolitical situation, which neces• mated to cost $1.4 billion. The projects fell under sitates the urgent development of air and telecommuni• the sectoral headings of administration; rural de• cation links with neighbouring countries of Africa and velopment and co-operatives; agriculture; indus• the rest of the world, try, trade and tourism; water, mineral resources and Taking account of Lesotho's need for a national network power; roads, transportation and communication; of roads, both for its planned social and economic de• education; health; and urban development. velopment and to lessen its dependence on the South Afri• can network, to reach various regions of the country af• fected by the imposition of travel restrictions by South GENERAL ASSEMBLY ACTION Africa, On 17 December, the General Assembly, on the Taking note of Lesotho's special problems associated with recommendation of the Second Commmittee, the employment of large numbers of its able-bodied men adopted resolution 39/183 without vote. in South Africa, Taking note also of the priority which the Government Assistance to Lesotho of Lesotho has accorded to the problem of absorbing into The General Assembly, the economy the young generation, as well as migrant Recalling Security Council resolution 402(1976) of 22 workers returning from South Africa, December 1976, in which the Council, inter alia, expressed Welcoming the action taken by the Government of Lesotho concern at the serious situation created by South Africa's to make more effective use of women in the development

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process by promoting their participation in the economic, the attention of their governing bodies the special needs social and cultural life of the country, of Lesotho and to report to the Secretary-General by 15 Taking account also of Lesotho's position as a least de­ July 1985 on the steps they have taken; veloped, most seriously affected and land-locked country, 14. Requests the appropriate specialized agencies and Recalling its resolution 32/98, in which it, inter alia, recog­ other organizations of the United Nations system to co­ nized that the continuing influx of refugees from South operate closely with the Secretary-General in organiz­ Africa imposed an additional burden on Lesotho, ing an effective international programme of assistance 1. Expresses its concern at the difficulties that confront to Lesotho and to report periodically to him on the steps the Government of Lesotho as a result of its decision not diey have taken and the resources they have made available to recognize the so-called independent Transkei, and of to assist that country; its rejection of apartheid and acceptance of refugees from 15. Requests the Secretary-General: apartheid oppression; (a) To continue his efforts to mobilize the necessary 2. Endorses fully the assessment of the situation con­ resources for an effective programme of financial, tech­ tained in the report of the mission to Lesotho annexed nical and material assistance to Lesotho; to the report of the Secretary-General; (b) To consult with the Government of Lesotho on 3. Takes note of the requirements of Lesotho, as the question of migrant workers returning from South described in the report of the mission to Lesotho, including Africa and to report on the type of assistance which the initial projects presented by the Government of Lesotho Government requires in order to establish labour-intensive to the round-table conference of donors held in Lesotho projects to deal with their absorption into the economy; from 14 to 17 May 1984; (c) To keep the situation in Lesotho under constant 4. Expresses its appreciation to the Secretary-General review, to maintain close contact with Member States, for the measures he has taken to organize an interna­ the specialized agencies, regional and odier intergovern­ tional programme of economic assistance for Lesotho; mental organizations and international financial insti­ 5. Notes with appreciation the response made thus far tutions concerned and to apprise the Economic and So­ by die international community to the special programme cial Council, at its second regular session of 1985, of the of economic assistance for Lesotho, which has enabled current status of the special programme of economic as­ it to proceed with the implementation of parts of the recom­ sistance for Lesotho; mended programme; (d) To report on the progress made in the economic 6. Reiterates its appeal to Member States, regional and situation of Lesotho and in organizing and implement­ interregional organizations and other intergovernmen­ ing the special programme of economic assistance for tal bodies to provide financial, material and technical that country in time for the matter to be considered by assistance to Lesotho for the implementation of the projects the General Assembly at its fortieth session. identified in the report of the mission to Lesotho; 7. Calls upon Member States and the appropriate agen­ General Assembly resolution 39/183 cies, organizations and financial institutions to provide 17 December 1984 Meeting 103 Adopted without vote assistance to Lesotho so as to enable it to achieve a greater degree of self-sufficiency in food production; Approved by Second Committee (A/39/793) without vote, 30 November (meeting 54); 16-nation draft (A/C.2/39/L41), orally corrected following informal consulta­ 8. Also calls upon Member States to give all possible tions; agenda item 83 (b). assistance to Lesotho to ensure an adequate and regu­ Sponsors: Afghanistan, Algeria, Bangladesh, Botswana, Cameroon, Central Afri­ lar supply of oil to meet its national requirements; can Republic, Gambia, Ghana, Lesotho, Liberia, Madagascar, Malawi, Nigeria, Pakistan, Swaziland, Zambia. 9. Further calls upon Member States to assist Lesotho Meeting numbers. GA 39th session: 2nd Committee 32-37, 45, 54; plenary 103. in developing its internal road and air systems and its air communication with the rest of the world; Liberia 10. Commends the efforts of die Government of Lesotho to integrate women more fully into development efforts In 1984, Liberia continued to face serious eco­ and requests die Secretary-General to consult with the nomic and financial problems. The situation was Government on the type and amount of assistance it will the result of such external factors as the global eco­ require to achieve this objective; nomic recession which yielded reduced earnings 11. Draws the attention of die international community from Liberia's primary commodity exports, the to the round-table conference of donors held in Lesotho strength of the United States dollar (the legal tender from 14 to 17 May 1984 and urges Member States and in Liberia) and high overseas interest rates. Domestic the appropriate agencies and organizations to provide problems included a large external debt, a prolonged assistance to Lesotho in accordance with the outcome of that meeting; outflow of capital and an increase in recurrent public 12. Abo draws the attention of the international com­ expenditure. Wim an estimated population growth munity to the special account which was established at of 3.3 per cent, real per capita income in Liberia United Nations Headquarters by die Secretary-General, deteriorated between 1980 and 1984 by 25 per cent. in accordance widi Security Council resolution 407(1977), The balance of payments continued to show a deficit for the purpose of facilitating the channelling of contri­ in 1983/84 estimated at $87 million, or 8 per cent butions to Lesotho; of GDP, due mainly to the decline in export earn­ 13. Invites the United Nations Development Pro­ ings and the increasing interest payments on public gramme, die United Nations Children's Fund, die World debt ($52 million in 1983/84) and private transfers Healtii Organization, die United Nations Industrial De­ abroad ($36 million). velopment Organization, die Food and Agriculture Or­ ganization of the United Nations and the International The United Nations provided assistance within Fund for Agricultural Development to bring further to the framework of the special programme of eco-

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nomic assistance and followed up on implementation Member States, specialized agencies, regional and other of projects identified by a donors' round-table con• intergovernmental organizations and the international ference in October 1983. <55> financial institutions concerned and to apprise the Eco• nomic and Social Council, at its second regular session of 1985, of the status of the special programme of eco• GENERAL ASSEMBLY ACTION nomic assistance for Liberia; On the recommendation of the Second Commit• (c) To arrange for a review of the economic situa• tee, the General Assembly adopted resolution 39/182 tion in Liberia and the status of the special programme on 17 December without vote. of economic assistance and to report diereon to die General Assembly at its fortieth session. Special economic assistance to Liberia The General Assembly, Recalling its resolutions 36/207 of 17 December 1981 General Assembly resolution 39/182 and 37/149 of 17 December 1982, in which it appealed 17 December 1984 Meeting 103 Adopted without vote to all Member States, the specialized agencies and other Approved by Second Committee (A/39/793) without vote, 30 November (meeting organizations of the United Nations system and inter• 54); 33-nation draft IA/C.2/39/L40); agenda item 83 lb). national development and financial institutions to pro• Sponsors: Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Barbados, Benin, Central African Republic, China, Comoros, Djibouti, Dominican Republic, Egypt Equatorial Guinea, Ethiopia, vide all possible assistance for the reconstruction, rehabili• France, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea-Bissau, India, Indonesia, Japan, Kenya, Leba• tation and development of Liberia, non, Lesotho, Liberia, Madagascar, Malawi, Nepal, Nigeria, Pakistan, Senegal, Recalling also the summary report of the Secretary- Sierra Leone, Sudan, Tunisia, United States General, Meeting numbers. GA 39th session: 2nd Committee 32-37, 44, 54; plenary 103. Noting from the report that, despite a variety of ad• verse factors, Liberia continues to make some progress in its development efforts as a result of the measures Mozambique adopted by the Government, The Secretary-General, in response to a 1983 56 Having noted the efforts of the Government of Liberia General Assembly request^ ) that he consult with to mobilize international support for the country's de• Mozambique on its special assistance needs, ar• velopment plan through die organization of a round-table ranged for a mission to go there from 5 to 12 May conference of donors, held at Berne in October 1983 with 1984, led by the Under-Secretary-General for Special the assistance of the United Nations Development Pro• Political Questions. The mission's report, issued gramme, in August/^ described the economic and financial Deeply concerned that Liberia continues to experience situation of the country and made recommenda• serious economic and financial difficulties, characterized by a severe balance-of-payments problem, heavy bur• tions for priority development projects. Noting that den of external debt and shortfall in export earnings, which Mozambique's situation was extremely serious and have contributed to the lack of resources to implement that it urgently needed food, petroleum and agricul• its planned economic and social development programmes, tural inputs, the Secretary-General, in transmit• 1. Expresses its appreciation to the Secretary-General fotinr g the mission's report to the Assembly, stated the measures he has taken to organize and mobilize support his intention to consult with the Government with for the international economic assistance programme for a view to formulating a new special programme Liberia; of economic assistance based on current conditions 2. Notes with satisfaction the interest in the develop• and on the new development principles which the ment plan of Liberia expressed by participants in the Government was in the process of defining. Mean• round-table conference of donors; while, during this interim period the country ur• 3. Appeals to all States, international financial insti• tutions and organizations of the United Nations system gently needed assistance. There was a critical to respond generously and urgendy to die needs of Liberia problem of starvation and malnutrition, and vital as set forth in that country's development plan, taking inputs were required to permit the economy to func• into account its current critical economic situation; tion. Some initial priority programmes were needed 4. Takes note of die measures being taken by die Govern• to establish a basis for future development. ment of Liberia to strengthen the economy of the coun• try through institutional and economic policy reforms; The economic situation had deteriorated mainly 5. Reiterates once again its appeal to all States, internaa•s a result of natural disasters and destabilization. tional financial institutions and organizations of die United With a per capita income of about $125 in 1983, Nations system to provide substantial and appropriate Mozambique was an LDC, and a further decline assistance, through bilateral and multilateral channels, was foreseen for 1984. Government revenues preferably in the form of grants-in-aid or loans granted decreased by 5 per cent in 1984 while expenditures on concessionary terms, in order to enable Liberia to increased by 10 per cent. The infant mortality rate carry out fully the recommended economic assistance in 1983 was estimated at 240 per 1,000, the liter• programme; acy rate at 10 per cent and life expectancy was 46 6. Requests the Secretary-General: years. Health and education services were unavailable (a) To continue his efforts to mobilize the necessary resources for an effective programme of financial, tech• to a large part of the population. During the first nical and material assistance to Liberia; half of 1984, starvation and malnutrition were preva• (b) To keep the situation regarding assistance to Liberia lent in many areas where relief supplies could not under constant review, to maintain close contact with be transported.

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The majority of the population was engaged in The mission made recommendations for 11 specific subsistence agriculture, with over 80 per cent residing projects as the most urgent, with values of $26.7 in rural and often remote areas. Agriculture was million for agriculture (food security reserves, seeds, oriented towards export crops such as cotton, sugar, water supply and irrigation), $4 million for trans­ tea and cashews. The country had promising agricul­ portation (repairs to die railway line to Swaziland), tural, fishery and forestry potential, though most $3.8 million for industrial development (raw materials of those resources had not been developed. Energy essential for domestic industries), $1.3 million for resources included hydroelectricity and coal, which health (medical supplies and equipment), $5 mil­ were normally exported, but due to instability which lion for water supply (borehole drilling), and edu­ prevented transport to ports, coal had not been ex­ cation, for which an estimate was not available. ported for a year.

By die end of 1984, the outstanding external debt GENERAL ASSEMBLY ACTION totalled $2.4 billion. Mozambique had often had On 17 December, the General Assembly, on the a trade deficit, with the value of exports covering recommendation of the Second Committee, adopted only about one third of the cost of imports. That resolution 39/199 without vote. had been partly compensated by remittances from migrant miners working in South Africa, but a Assistance to Mozambique decrease in their employment from about 120,000 The General Assembly, in 1978 to 40,000 in recent years had aggravated Recalling Security Council resolution 386(1976) of 17 the balance-of-payments situation. A second major March 1976, in which the Council appealed to all States source of foreign exchange, die international transit to provide, and requested the Secretary-General, in col­ of goods mrough Mozambique's ports and railways, laboration with the appropriate organizations of the United had suffered drastic reductions due to instability Nations system, to organize, witii immediate effect, finan­ in the region. Cargo tonnage declined from 17.5 cial, technical and material assistance to enable Mozam­ million tonnes in 1978 to 3.3 million in 1983. The bique to carry out its economic development programme, Recalling fartherit s resolution 38/208 of 20 December country faced a serious foreign exchange shortage 1983 and its earlier resolutions, in which it urged the in­ that had restricted its ability to import the raw ternational community to respond effectively and gener­ materials and other inputs necessary. The drop in ously with assistance to Mozambique, export revenues had prohibited Mozambique from Having considered the report of the Secretary-General meeting its debt-service obligations, expected to ex­ submitted in response to its resolution 38/208, to which ceed export earnings by far. Mozambique had re­ is annexed the report of the mission to Mozambique, quested debt rescheduling, but until such an agree­ Deeply concerned at the loss of life and the destruction ment was reached, external borrowing to withstand of essential infrastructures such as roads, railways, bridges, its economic crisis would generally be unavailable. petroleum facilities, electricity supply, schools and hospitals, as identified in the reports of the Secretary-General, Further complicating the economic situation, ex­ Noting with deep concern that Mozambique has continued ternally supported armed elements had disrupted to suffer from a prolonged drought causing heavy losses transportation and energy lines and forced substantial in food production and livestock and resulting in dislo­ expenditures for defence. Mozambique also suffered cation of its people, from a prolonged drought in the south and cen­ Abo noting with deep concern the extensive damage caused tral regions, and a cyclone in January 1984 hit the by the cyclone "Demoina" at the end of January 1984, one region in die central-soudiern part of die country Noting that Mozambique faces an emergency food sit­ that had not been devastated by the drought. Cy­ uation of an exceptional scale and needs imports of 700,000 clone damage was estimated at $75 million, with tonnes of cereals in 1984/1985 to meet its food re­ heavy losses in the communications and transpor­ quirements, tation and water supply systems, and to agricul­ Recognizing that substantial international assistance is required for the implementation of a number of recon­ ture and livestock. struction and development projects, Although the agricultural sector accounted for 1. Strongly endorses the appeals made by the Security approximately 41 per cent of the gross social product Council and die Secretary-General for international as­ and 85 per cent of employment, Mozambique was sistance to Mozambique; never self-sufficient in food. 2. Expresses its appreciation to the Secretary-General The Government informed the mission of its im­ for the measures he has taken to organize an interna­ mediate needs, emphasizing petroleum products, tional economic assistance programme for Mozambique; 3. Also expresses its appreciation for die assistance provided and basic inputs and consumer goods for die agricul­ to Mozambique by various States and regional and in­ tural sector. Minimum requirements for 1984 were ternational organizations and humanitarian institutions; an estimated 600,000 tonnes of crude oil and 190,000 4. Regrets, however, that the total assistance provided tonnes of other fuel; as at May 1984, arrangements to date falls far short of Mozambique's pressing needs; had been made for 260,000 tonnes of crude oil. In 5. Appeals to the international community to provide addition, some 700,000 tonnes of food imports were adequate food aid to Mozambique to prevent further star­ required. vation and malnutrition;

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Swaziland, Sweden, United Republic of Tanzania, Zambia, Zimbabwe. 6. Drams the attention of the international community Meeting numbers. GA 39th session: 2nd Committee 32-37, 47, 54; plenary 103. to the two areas for immediate action—the supply of crude oil and petroleum products and the supply of basic in• After informal consultations, the Secretary of the puts and consumer goods for the agricultural sector— Second Committee announced that it had been that are critical for the functioning of the economy; 7. Also draws the attention of the international communitagreey d to include UNFPA in paragraph 11. to the additional financial, economic and material as• sistance identified in the annex to the report of the Sao Tome and Principe Secretary-General as urgently required by Mozambique; In response to the General Assembly's 1982 re• 8. Calls upon Member States, regional and interregional quest/57) that he report on the economic situation organizations and other governmental, intergovernmental and the special programme of economic assistance and non-governmental organizations to provide finan• cial, material and technical assistance to Mozambique, for Sao Tome and Principe, the Secretary-General arranged for a mission to go there from 5 to 9 June wherever possible in the form of grants, and urges them 10 to give special consideration to the early inclusion of 1984 and issued its report in September/ ' The Mozambique in their programmes of development as• Government had informed the mission that the major sistance, if it is not already included; constraints to economic development were geo• 9. Urges Member States and organizations that are graphic isolation, dependence on a single export already implementing or negotiating assistance crop (cocoa provided almost 80 per cent of export programmes for Mozambique to strengthen them, where• earnings), and lack of trained manpower and of suita• ver possible; ble machinery for efficient government adminis• 10. Abo appeals to the international community to con• tration. The Government had attempted to reduce tribute to the special account for Mozambique established the dependence on cocoa for foreign exchange, par• by the Secretary-General for the purpose of facilitating the channelling of contributions to Mozambique; ticularly as the amount produced and the price on 11. Requests the appropriate organizations and the world market had declined. The drought that programmes of the United Nations system—in partic• affected some parts of the country in 1982 and 1983, ular the United Nations Development Programme, the combined with erratic rainfall in other areas, had Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, had a negative effect on the already fragile situa• the International Fund for Agricultural Development, tion. The limited production of staple foods declined, the World Food Programme, the World Health Organi• and cocoa production was reduced by almost two zation, the United Nations Children's Fund and the United thirds. Nations Fund for Population Activities—to maintain and increase their current and future programmes of assistance Sao Tome and Principe, an archipelagic LDC, to Mozambique, to co-operate closely with the Secretary- had an annual population growth rate of 2.8 to 3 General in organizing an effective international pro• per cent. gramme of assistance and to report periodically to him Economic growth had fluctuated radically over on the steps they have taken and the resources they have the previous few years, the mission reported, with made available to help that country; GDP dropping 1.9 per cent in 1983. In real terms, 12. Requests the Secretary-General: GDP had declined steadily since 1980 and in 1984 (a) To continue his efforts to mobilize the necessary was less than 70 per cent of the 1980 level. Per capita resources for an effective programme of financial, tech• nical and material assistance to Mozambique; GDP had declined to $330 in 1984 from $486 in (b) To keep the situation in Mozambique under con• 1980. The balance of payments was characterized stant review, to maintain close contact with Member States, by a persistent trade deficit. There was a signifi• the specialized agencies, regional and other intergovern• cant improvement in the trade balance in 1983 and mental organizations, international financial institutions 1984, but it was achieved through drastic measures and other bodies concerned, and to apprise the Economic to reduce imports, which had serious implications and Social Council, at its second regular session of 1985, for the economy, given the country's reliance on of the current status of the special programme of eco• imports not only for food but also for inputs, par• nomic assistance for Mozambique; ticularly oil, necessary to development. The country (c) To prepare, on the basis of sustained consulta• relied on short-term loans to finance the deficit, tions with the Government of Mozambique, a report on resulting in heavy debt-service obligations. the development of the economic situation and the im• plementation of the special programme of economic as• The agricultural sector dominated the economy, sistance for mat country in time for the matter to be con• accounting for 41 per cent of GDP. Government ef• sidered by the General Assembly at its fortieth session. forts to rehabilitate agricultural production had been hampered by the 1982-1983 drought. Export crops General Assembly resolution 39/199 took up about 90 per cent of the cultivable land; 17 December 1984 Meeting 103 Adopted without vote efforts were being made to expand livestock produc• Approved by Second Committee (A/39/793) without vote, 30 November (meeting tion and fishing. Lack of energy sources and trans• 54); 32-nation draft (A/C.2/39/L64), orally revised following informal consulta• tions; agenda item 83 Ibl. portation remained serious problems limiting in• Sponsors: Afghanistan, Algeria, Angola, Bangladesh, Botswana, Brazil, Burkina Faso, ternational trade. Cape \feroe, Congo, Cuba, Democratic Bremen, Ethiopia, France. German Democratic Of die 18 projects for special economic assistance Republic, Ghana, Guinea-Bissau, Italy, Lesotho, Madagascar, Malawi, Mongo• 58 lia, Mozambique, Nicaragua, Nigeria, Pakistan, Portugal, Sao Tome and Principe, identified by a 1982 mission/ ) at a value of $50

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million, eight had received total or partial financ­ and non-governmental organizations which have provided ing, and negotiations were in progress with regard assistance to Sao Tome and Principe; to two major projects—establishment of vegetable-oil 4. Renews its appeal to Member States, the appropri­ plants and construction of a hydroelectric plant. ate organs, organizations and programmes of the United No financing had been obtained for the remain­ Nations system, regional and interregional organizations and other intergovernmental bodies and non-governmental ing eight projects. The Government had proposed organizations, as well as international financial institu­ to the 1984 mission 15 others in such areas as agricul­ tions, to provide financial, technical and material assistance tural inputs and equipment, increasing production to Sao Tome and Principe through bilateral and multi­ of staple food crops, studies on orchards and flowers, lateral channels, as appropriate, to enable it to strengthen use of forest resources, a building-construction or­ its social and economic infrastructure and to implement ganization, increasing electricity, road maintenance, the special programme of economic assistance; public transportation, medical supplies and housing. 5. Urges Member States, organizations and The total cost was estimated at $43 million. programmes of the United Nations system, regional and interregional bodies, financial and development institutions and intergovernmental and non-governmental organi­ GENERAL ASSEMBLY ACTION zations to participate in the round-table conference of On die recommendation of the Second Commit­ donors to be held in 1985 and to provide all possible as­ tee, the Assembly, on 17 December, adopted reso­ sistance for the implementation of the national develop­ lution 39/187 without vote. ment plan of Sao Tome and Principe; 6. Calls upon the international community to continue Assistance to Sao Tome and Principe its food assistance programmes for Sao Tome and Prin­ The General Assembly, cipe in order to help it cope with the critical food situa­ Recalling its resolutions 32/96 of 13 December 1977, tion in the country and to provide all possible assistance 33/125 of 19 December 1978, 34/131 of 14 December 1979, to enable the country to produce more food and reduce 35/93 of 5 December 1980, 36/209 of 17 December 1981 its dependence on food imports; and 37/146 of 17 December 1982, in which it reiterated 7. Requests the Secretary-General: its appeal to the international community to provide finan­ (a) To keep the situation in Sao Tome and Principe cial, material and technical assistance to Sao Tome and under constant review and to apprise the Economic and Principe to enable it to establish the necessary social and Social Council, at its second regular session of 1985, of economic infrastructure for development, the current status of the special programme of economic Aware that the economic and social development of Sao assistance for Sao Tome and Principe; Tome and Principe has been seriously hindered by fragile (b) To report on the progress made in the economic infrastructure, inadequate health, educational and housing situation of Sao Tome and Principe and in organizing facilities and by insufficient external assistance, and that and implementing the special programme of economic urgent improvement in these sectors is a prerequisite for assistance for that country in time for the matter to be the country's future progress, considered by the General Assembly at its fortieth session. Aware also that, at independence, the country inherited a plantation economy mat made it dependent on imports to meet its national food requirements, General Assembly resolution 39/187 Noting with appreciation the concerted efforts undertaken1 7 December 1984 Meeting 103 Adopted without vote by the Government of Sao Tome and Principe to increase Approved by Second Committee (A/39/793} without vote, 30 November (meeting 54); 32-nation draft (A/C2/39/L45); agenda item 83 lb). national food production and to decrease dependence Sponsors: Afghanistan, Algeria, Angola, Argentina, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belize, on food imports, Brazil, Burkina Faso, Cape Verde, China, Congo, Cuba, France, Gabon, Ghana, Concerned that the severe drought in 1982-1983 followed Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Italy, Japan, Libyan Arab Jamahiriya, Madagascar, Mozam­ bique, Nicaragua, Nigeria, Pakistan, Panama, Portugal, Sierra Leone, Tunisia, United by abnormally heavy rains and floods in 1984 have seri­ States, Vanuatu. ously affected agricultural production, increased the na­ Meeting numbers. GA 39th session: 2nd Committee 32-37, 45, 54; plenary 103. tional food deficit and reduced the ability of the coun­ try to pay for food imports, Sierra Leone Taking into account the decision of the Government of Sierra Leone, favourably endowed with agricul­ Sao Tome and Principe to convene, with the assistance of the United Nations Development Programme, a round- tural, mineral and water resources, had die potential table conference of donors in September-October 1985 to achieve self-sustaining growth, but it had ex­ at Sao Tome, preparatory to the launching of a national perienced serious economic difficulties, due pardy development plan for 1986-1990, to the slow-down in global economic activity and Having examined the report of the Secretary-General, partly to structural imbalances in its economy, ac­ to which is annexed the report of the review mission sent cording to a September 1984 report by die Secretary- to Sap Tome and Principe, General. M The economy was being undermined 1. Expresses its appreciation to the Secretary-General fobry severe scarcities of imported raw materials and die steps he has taken to mobilize assistance to Sao Tome spare parts for industry, fewer trade and commer­ and Principe; cial credits, large arrears in commercial payments 2. Endorses fully the assessment and recommendations contained in the annex to the report of the Secretary- and strains on government finances. Commercial General; activity and employment had fallen. The Govern­ 3. Expresses its appreciation to the Member States, in­ment had adopted a strategy which emphasized ex­ ternational organizations, and other intergovernmental panding domestic productive activities, but Sierra

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Leone, an LDC, required substantial external as• gramme, has initiated preparatory activities for a round- sistance to ameliorate its financial situation, per• table of partners in development of Sierra Leone, to be mit project implementation and enable it to real• organized with the assistance of the Programme early ize its economic potential. An understanding had in 1985, been reached with IMF on a policy to restore long- Reiterating the need for effective mobilization of inter• term growth and stability by restrictive fiscal and national assistance, in order to implement fully the pro• monetary policies aimed at improving the balance gramme of development oudined in the report of the multi- agency mission, of payments. 1. Expresses its appreciation to the Secretary-General for Agriculture, which contributed 30 per cent or the steps he has taken to mobilize assistance for Sierra more of GDP, was the principal source of livelihood Leone; for about 70 per cent of the population and the largest 2. Urgently reiterates its appeal to the international com• sector in the economy. Mining, trade, transport, munity, including the specialized agencies and other or• communications and public services were the other ganizations and bodies of the United Nations system, sectors contributing 10 per cent or more; manufac• to contribute generously, through bilateral or multilateral turing and handicrafts together contributed less than channels, to the economic and social development of Sierra 5 per cent. GDP was estimated to have increased Leone; by barely 1 per cent per annum in real terms from 3. Urges all States and relevant United Nations 1978/79 to 1983/84, while the population was in• bodies—in particular the United Nations Development creasing at more than 2 per cent per year; this Programme, the World Food Programme, the United Nations Industrial Development Organization, the United represented a deterioration of the trend of die 1970s Nations Children's Fund, die World Health Organiza• when GDP growth kept pace with population in• tion, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cul• creases. The overall deficit in 1983/84 was 8 per tural Organization and the United Nations Fund for Popu• cent of GDP as compared to 11 to 13 per cent dur• lation Activities—to provide all possible assistance to help ing the years 1978/79 to 1982/83. the Government of Sierra Leone meet the critical hu• Of the 71 priority projects identified in 1983 for manitarian needs of the population and to provide, as appropriate, food, medicines and essential equipment an assistance programme costing $275 million, 27 for hospitals and schools; projects, costing $124 million, were considered es• pecially urgent J59) As at mid-1984, less than 3 per 4. Invites the United Nations Development Pro• gramme, the United Nations Children's Fund, the World cent of the resources required to implement the pri• Food Programme, the World Health Organization, the ority projects had been mobilized, excluding $12 United Nations Industrial Development Organization, million allocated by the World Bank for renovat• the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United ing power systems, to be applied when co-financing Nations, the World Bank and the International Fund for could be arranged. Agricultural Development to bring to the attention of their governing bodies, for tiieir consideration, the spe• cial needs of Sierra Leone and to report the decisions GENERAL ASSEMBLY ACTION of those bodies to the Secretary-General by 15 July 1985; On 17 December, the General Assembly, acting 5. Appeals to all States and international organiza• on the recommendation of the Second Commit• tions to participate at a high level in the round-table tee, adopted resolution 39/192 without vote. of partners in development of Sierra Leone to be held early in 1985, and to contribute generously to the pro• Assistance to Sierra Leone gramme of action that will be presented by the Govern• The General Assembly, ment of Sierra Leone; Recalling its resolutions 37/158 of 17 December 1982 6. Requests the Secretary-General: and 38/205 of 20 December 1983, in which it appealed (a) To continue his efforts to mobilize the necessary to all States, the specialized agencies and international resources for an effective programme of financial, tech• development and financial institutions to provide all pos• nical and material assistance to Sierra Leone; sible assistance for the development of Sierra Leone, (b) To apprise the Economic and Social Council, at Further recalling its resolution 37/133 of 17 December its second regular session of 1985, of the assistance 1982, in which it decided to include Sierra Leone in the granted to Sierra Leone; list of the least developed countries, Having considered the summary report of the Secretary- (c) To keep the situation regarding assistance to General, Sierra Leone under review and to report to the General Assembly at its fortieth session on the implementation Noting with concern that the economy of Sierra Leone of the present resolution. is being undermined by severe scarcities of imported raw materials and spare parts for industry, a drying-up of trade and commercial credits, large commercial payment General Assembly resolution 39/192 arrears and unmitigated strains on government finances, 17 December 1984 Meeting 103 Adopted without vote Concerned that unusually low rainfall in 1984 has seri• Approved by Second Committee (A/39/793) without vote, 30 November (meeting ously affected the food production of the country and 54); 19 nation draft (A/C2/39/LS6); agenda item 83 (b). considerably worsened its balance-of-payments position, Sponsors: Afghanistan, Angola, Bangladesh, Burkina Faso, Chad, Ethiopia, Ghana, Guinea, Japan, Lesotho, Liberia, Madagascar, Malawi, Nepal, Pakistan, Sao Tome Noting that the Government of Sierra Leone, in co• and Principe, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Uganda. operation with the United Nations Development Pro• Meeting numbers. 6A 39th session: 2nd Committee 32-37, 45, 54; plenary 103.

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Uganda June 1984, which resulted in the termination of Uganda, a land-locked country, was classified by selected projects as well as the revision of others. the United Nations as an LDC. Its serious socio­ The new programme consisted of some 30 projects economic situation, according to a September 1984 in agriculture, transport, communications, industry, summary report by the Secretary-General,W had public administration, planning, banking and been caused or aggravated by the economic and finance. social policies in effect from 1972 to 1980, the liber­

ation war of 1979, and drought and famine in 1979 GENERAL ASSEMBLY ACTION and 1981, compounded by the widespread drought of 1983 and 1984 that affected southern Uganda On 17 December, the General Assembly adopted and neighbouring countries. A recovery programme resolution 39/188 without vote, acting on die recom­ for 1982-1984, drawn up by the Government, was mendation of the Second Committee. revised in November 1983 to cover die period 1983- Assistance to Uganda 1985, and, in January 1984, it was endorsed by a The General Assembly, Consultative Group on Uganda at a meeting in Paris Recalling its resolutions 35/103 of 5 December 1980, organized by the World Bank. The revised pro­ 36/218 of 17 December 1981, 37/162 of 17 December 1982 gramme, while continuing to emphasize short-term and 38/207 of 20 December 1983 on assistance to Uganda, revival of die production sector, reallocated resources Bearing in mind the enormous economic and social set­ from mining, energy and transport to industry and backs suffered by Uganda and the resultant precipitous infrastructure, partly to reflect donors' preferences. decline in the well-being of its people, During 1984, problems of internal security and in­ Taking into account the revised recovery programme (1983- adequate skilled human resources and infrastruc­ 1985) presented by the Government of Uganda to the ture continued to be major constraints in programme meeting of the Consultative Group on Uganda, held in Paris in January 1984 under the auspices of the World implementation. Bank, Uganda's economy was reversed in 1981 from a Recognizing that Uganda is not only land-locked but declining trend towards positive growth. Since then, also one of the least developed and most seriously affected GDP had risen every year, and in 1983 real GDP rose countries, by 7.3 per cent. New government policies put into Noting the appeals of the Secretary-General for assistance to Uganda, effect in 1981 provided incentives to farmers that Taking note of the summary report of the Secretary- elicited a substantial increase in production, nearly General, in which it is stated that substantial additional doubling coffee, cotton, tea and tobacco crop yields assistance is required to finance the remaining projects by 1983/84. Uganda's trade deficit declined from in the revised recovery programme which have not yet $122.5 million in 1982 to an estimated $51.6 mil­ attracted the support of the international community, lion in 1983 and was expected to be reduced to $25.5 Reaffirming the urgent need for further international million in 1984. The estimated costs of imports for action to assist the Government of Uganda in its con­ 1984 was less than one half that for 1982. However, tinuing efforts for national reconstruction, rehabilitation the Government's budget remained in deficit despite and development, die rise in revenue. Widi die mediation of the World Encouraged that the economic policies of the Govern­ Bank, Uganda, Kenya and the United Republic of ment of Uganda and the support assistance provided by Tanzania had signed in December 1983 the Arusha the donor countries and international organizations have produced positive signs of economic recovery, Accord which addressed the division of the assets 1. Expresses its appreciation to the Secretary-General for and liabilities of the former East African Community. the steps he has taken to mobilize assistance for Uganda; The Accord provided for reimbursements to Uganda 2. Further expresses its appreciation to those States and of $145 million by Kenya and $46 million by the organizations that have provided assistance to uiat country; United Republic of Tanzania and provided guidelines 3. Reiterates its endorsement of the assessment and recom­ for future co-operation. mendations contained in the annex to the report of the 42 Secretary-General submitted to the General Assembly UNCTAD reported' ) that it had helped formu­ at its thirty-seventh session; late import and export, exchange rate and pricing 4. Invites the international community, in particu­ policies, improve managerial capabilities, and de­ lar the United Nations system and donor countries and velop transit transport services. In a resolution of 43 organizations, to make available more resources to im­ 6 April/ ) the UNCTAD Trade and Development plement the country's revised recovery programme (1983- Board took note of UNCTAD's assistance, widi UNDP 1985) and meet the remaining needs described in the support, to Uganda and requested the UNCTAD Secretary-General's summary report; Secretary-General to contribute to the implemen­ 5. Urgently renews its appeal to all Member States, special­ tation of the revised recovery programme and to ized agencies and other organizations of the United Nations report to the Board in 1985. system and international economic and financial insti­ 44 tutions to contribute generously, through bilateral and The UNDP Administrator reported' ) that an multilateral channels, to the reconstruction, rehabilita­ overall review was carried out by the UNDP field tion and development needs of Uganda and to its emer­ office widi the Government between February and gency requirements;

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6. Requests the appropriate organizations and (medicines). Long-term rehabilitation assistance programmes of the United Nations system to maintain was provided by UNDP (technical assistance for and increase their current and future programmes of as• flood control and roads), UNCDF (crops), WFP (re• sistance to Uganda and to report periodically to the habilitation of flood damaged areas), FAO (irriga• Secretary-General on the steps they have taken and the tion and flood control), UNESCO (rehabilitation resources they have made available to help that country; works) and IDA (roads and erosion control). Fifteen 7. Invites the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development, the United Nations Industrial Develop• countries gave assistance on a bilateral basis; 17 Red ment Organization, the United Nations Children's Fund, Cross/Red Crescent national or regional organi• the United Nations Development Programme, the World zations and three other organizations provided relief Food Programme, the International Fund for Agricul• aid and long-term rehabilitation assistance. tural Development, the International Labour Organi• sation, die Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, the United Nations Educational, Scientific GENERAL ASSEMBLY ACTION and Cultural Organization, the World Health Organi• The General Assembly, on the recommendation zation and the World Bank to bring to the attention of ofthe Second Committee, adopted resolution 39/184 their governing bodies, for their consideration, the spe• without vote on 17 December. cial needs of Uganda and to report the decisions of those bodies to the Secretary-General by 15 July 1985; Assistance to Democratic Yemen 8. Requests the United Nations High Commissioner The General Assembly, for Refugees to continue his humanitarian assistance Recalling its resolution 38/206 of 20 December 1983 programmes in Uganda; and Economic and Social Council resolutions 1982/6 of 9. Requests the Secretary-General: 28 April 1982 and 1982/59 of 30 July 1982 concerning the extensive devastation caused by the heavy floods in (a) To continue his efforts to mobilize the necessary Democratic Yemen, resources for an effective programme of financial, tech• nical and material assistance to Uganda; Recalling also resolution 107(IX) of 11 May 1982 of the Economic Commission for Western Asia, in which the (b) To keep the situation in Uganda under constant Commission called for the urgent establishment of a pro• review, to maintain close contact with Member States, gramme for the rehabilitation and reconstruction ofthe the specialized agencies, regional and other intergovern• flood-stricken areas of Democratic Yemen, mental organizations and the international financial in• stitutions concerned, and to apprise the Economic and Having considered the report prepared by the Office of Social Council, at its second regular session of 1985, of the United Nations Disaster Relief Co-ordinator on the the current status ofthe special programme of economic extent and nature of the damage caused by the floods, assistance for Uganda; Taking note of the report of the Secretary-General on assistance to Democratic Yemen, (c) To report on the progress made in the economic situation in Uganda and in organizing international as• Recognizing that Democratic Yemen, as one ofthe least sistance for that country in time for the matter to be con• developed countries, is unable to bear the mounting burden sidered by the General Assembly at its fortieth session. of rehabilitation and reconstruction ofthe affected areas, Recognizing also the efforts made by Democratic Yemen to alleviate the suffering of the victims of the floods, General Assembly resolution 39/188 1. Expresses its appreciation to die Secretary-General for 17 December 1984 Meeting 103 Adopted without vote the steps he has taken regarding assistance to Democratic Approved by Second Committee (A/39/793) without vote, 30 November {meeting Yemen; 54); 16-nation draft IA/C2/39/L46); agenda item 83 (bl. Sponsors: Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Botswana, Burundi, Central African Repub• 2. Expresses its gratitude to those States and interna• lic, Democratic Yemen, Djibouti, Ghana, Guinea, Kenya, Madagascar, Pakistan, tional, regional and intergovernmental organizations that Tunisia, Uganda, United Republic of Tanzania, Zambia. have provided assistance to Democratic Yemen; Meeting numbers. GA 39th session: 2nd Committee 32-37,44, 54; plenary 103. 3. Requests the Secretary-General to continue to mobi• lize the necessary resources for an effective, comprehensive The Assembly, in resolution 39/205, called for programme of financial, technical and material assistance assistance programmes for the drought-stricken areas to Democratic Yemen in order to help mitigate the damage of six East African countries, including Uganda. inflicted on it and implement its rehabilitation and recon• struction plans; 4. Appeals to Member States to contribute generously Other regions through bilateral or multilateral channels to the recon• struction and development process in Democratic Yemen; Democratic Yemen 5. Requests the appropriate organizations and The Secretary-General, as requested by the programmes of the United Nations system—in partic• General Assembly in 1983,(60) reported in October ular the United Nations Development Programme, the 1984(5) on international assistance to Democratic World Bank, the World Food Programme, the Food and \femen, which had suffered heavy damage, estimated Agriculture Organization ofthe United Nations, die In• ternational Fund for Agricultural Development, the World at $950 million, as a result of nation-wide flood• 61 Health Organization, the United Nations Fund for Popu• ing in March 1982.' ' Aid for relief operations to lation Activities, the United Nations Children's Fund and the LDC was provided by UNDRO (beds, blankets), the United Nations Industrial Development UNICEF (tents, blankets), UNDP (mattresses, Organization—to maintain and expand their programmes blankets, stoves), WFP (flour, fat, dates) and WHO of assistance to Democratic \emen and to co-operate closely

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with the Secretary-General in organizing an effective pro­ Noting with concern that Haiti continues to face serious gramme of assistance to that country; economic and financial difficulties owing to the severe 6. Calls upon regional and interregional organizations constraints on the economy consequent upon the decline and other intergovernmental and non-governmental or­ in gross national product in real terms, the balance-of- ganizations to continue their assistance to the develop­ payments deficit, the external debt and the budgetary ment requirements of Democratic Yemen; deficit, 7. Requests the Secretary-General to keep the situa­ Deeply concerned at the complete collapse of the tourist tion in Democratic Yemen under review and to report industry and the termination of bauxite mining conse­ to the General Assembly at its fortieth session on the quent upon the exhaustion of reserves, two of the coun­ progress made in the implementation of the present reso­ try's principal sources of foreign exchange, lution. Gravely concerned at the impoverishment of the rural popu­ lation resulting from the total elimination of the pig popu­ General Assembly resolution 39/184 lation as a result of swine fever, 17 December 1984 Meeting 103 Adopted without vote Bearing in mind the damage caused by cyclone "Allen" in 1981 to a substantial area of Haiti's coffee plantations, Approved by Second Committee (A/39/793) without vote, 30 November (meeting 54); 31-nation draft (A/C.2/39/L.42); agenda item 83 lb). Taking into account that the Government of Haiti, in view Sponsors: Afghanistan, Algeria, Argentina, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Benin, Cuba, Cyprus, of the serious economic situation, has implemented, with Czechoslovakia, Democratic Yemen, Djibouti, Ethiopia, France, India, Jordan, the assistance of the International Monetary Fund and Kuwait, Lebanon, Libyan Arab Jamahiriya, Madagascar, Mongolia, Mozambique, Oman, Pakistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, Tunisia, United Arab Emirates, Viet the World Bank, an intensive economic and financial Nam, Yemen, Yugoslavia. stabilization programme, Meeting numbers. GA 39th session: 2nd Committee 32-37, 44, 54; plenary 103. 1. Expresses its gratitude to Member States and to in­ ternational, regional and interregional organizations for Haiti their assistance to Haiti; Haiti was the only country in the western 2. Renews its urgent appeal to all Governments and in­ hemisphere in 1984 to be classified as an LDC by ternational organizations which, at the United Nations the United Nations. Per capita GDP in 1983 was Conference on the Least Developed Countries, assumed commitments under the Substantial New Programme estimated at $320. Malnutrition was widespread, of Action for the 1980s for the Least Developed Coun­ especially in the rural areas, and infant mortality tries to honour their pledges generously; was high—120 per 1,000 births—largely the result 3. Urges Governments of Member States and inter­ of malnutrition. Life expectancy was 53 years. Es­ national, regional, interregional and intergovernmen­ timates indicated that in 1984 real GDP increased tal organizations to increase and intensify their assistance by 3 per cent after remaining stagnant for the previ­ to Haiti substantially to help it cope with its economic ous two years. The balance of payments was charac­ and financial difficulties and implement successfully its terized by a persistent surplus of imports over ex­ development plan for the biennium 1985-1986; ports. External debt grew to $493.9 million in 1984 4. Invites all organizations and programmes of the from $449.9 million in 1983. Since most external United Nations system, particularly the United Nations borrowing was on concessional terms, the debt- Development Programme, the United Nations Children's Fund, the United Nations Fund for Population Activi­ service ratio remained low, approximately 5.5 per ties, the World Food Programme, the World Health Or­ cent of the value of exports of goods and services ganization, the Food and Agriculture Organization of in 1984, but that figure did not include short-term the United Nations, the World Bank, the International borrowing or the use of IMF resources. Fund for Agricultural Development and the United Despite its economic situation, Haiti had con­ Nations Industrial Development Organization, as well siderable potential. It could be self-sufficient in food as the Department of Technical Co-operation for Develop­ ment of the Secretariat, to take account of Haiti's specific and enjoyed an advantage in some export crops needs and to apprise the Secretary-General of their de­ (bananas, coffee, rice, sugar). Proximity to North cisions; American markets and the possibilities for increasing 5. Requests the Secretary-General: tourism were other advantages. (a) To send a mission to Haiti to assess the priority needs of the country, to prepare a programme for as­ GENERAL ASSEMBLY ACTION sisting the country in coping with the present economic crisis and to pursue its efforts to obtain supplementary On the recommendation of the Second Commit­ international assistance; tee, the General Assembly on 17 December adopted (b) To apprise the Economic and Social Council of resolution 39/196 without vote. the mission at its second regular session of 1985 and to Economic assistance to Haiti report to the General Assembly at its fortieth session on The General Assembly, the implementation of the present resolution. Recalling its resolution 36/194 of 17 December 1981, in which it endorsed the Substantial New Programme of General Assembly resolution 39/196 Action for the 1980s for the Least Developed Countries, 17 December 1984 Meeting 103 Adopted without vote Recalling that Haiti is one of the least developed countries Approved by Second Committee (A/39/793) without vote, 30 November (meeting 54); 35-nation draft (A/C2/39/L61), orally revised following informal consulta­ and is therefore entitled to the assistance provided for tions; agenda item 83 lb). in the relevant General Assembly resolutions for the more Sponsors: Algeria, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Bahamas, Bangladesh, Be­ intensive development of those countries, lize, Botswana, Canada, Cape \ferde. Central African Republic, Chad, Chile, Comoros,

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Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, Ethiopia, Gabon, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, Ivory Coast, Liberia, Madagascar, Nepal, Pakistan, 4. Requests the organizations of the United Nations Panama, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Somalia, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago, Vanuatu. system to continue and to increase their assistance in this Meeting numbers. GA 39th session: 2nd Committee 32-37, 45, 64; plenary 103. endeavour; 5. Recommends that Nicaragua should continue to Following informal consultations, the Secretary receive treatment appropriate to the special needs of the informed the Second Committee that it had been country until the economic situation returns to normal; agreed to add UNFPA to the bodies mentioned in 6. Requests the Secretary-General to report to the paragraph 4. General Assembly at its fortieth session on the progress made in the implementation of the present resolution. Nicaragua In August 1984,'9) the Secretary-General, in General Assembly resolution 39/204 response to a 1983 request by the General Assem• 17 December 1984 Meeting 103 Adopted without vote bly, (6T> reported on assistance to Nicaragua, based Approved by Second Committee IA/39/793) without vote, 30 November (meeting 54); 74-nation draft (A/C2/39/L.72); agenda item 83 (b). on information from Member States and United Sponsors: Afghanistan, Algeria, Angola, Argentina, Austria, Bangladesh, Barbados, Nations bodies and organizations. In 1983, Belize. Benin, Bolivia, Brazil, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Canada, Cape Verde, China, Colombia, Congo, Costa Rica, Cuba, Cyprus, Czechoslovakia, Democratic Nicaragua had been pledged $65.6 million from Yemen, Denmark, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt Equatorial Guinea, Ethiopia, multilateral agencies and $350 million from bilateral Ranee, German Democratic Republic, Ghana, Greece, Guatemala, Guinea, Guinea- Bissau, Guyana, India, Lao People's Democratic Republic, Lebanon, Lesotho, Libyan sources. For the first quarter of 1984, bilateral sources Arab Jamahiriya, Madagascar, Mauritania, Mexico, Mongolia, Mozambique, Nepal, pledged $58.9 million in aid. Czechoslovakia, Ecua• Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Norway, Pakistan, Panama, Peru, Romania, Saint Lucia, dor, the German Democratic Republic, Norway and Sao Tome and Principe, Seychelles, Spain, Suriname, Sweden, Syrian Arab Republic, Trinidad and Tobago, Uganda, United Republic of Tanzania, Uruguay, Vanuatu, Sweden had submitted information on their as• Venezuela, Viet Nam, Yugoslavia, Zambia, Zimbabwe. sistance to Nicaragua. United Nations assistance Meeting numbers. GA 39th session: 2nd Committee 32-37, 48, 54; plenary 103. during the period 19 July 1979 to 1 April 1984 amounted to $258.5 million, of which $149.6 mil• In decision 39/431, the Assembly took note of lion was in financial assistance and $108.9 million an oral report made in the Second Committee on in technical assistance. 5 November by the United Nations Disaster Relief Co-ordinator on implementation of a 1983 Assembly resolution^63' on special assistance to Nicaragua fol• GENERAL ASSEMBLY ACTION lowing floods in May 1982 and subsequent natural On 17 December, the General Assembly adopted disasters'64) (see p. 504). resolution 39/204 without vote. It acted on the recom• mendation of the Second Committee. Tonga Assistance to Nicaragua In October 1984, the Secretary-General issued The General Assembly, a summary report on the special programme of eco• Recalling its resolutions 34/8 of 25 October 1979, 35/84 nomic assistance to Tonga/65' as requested by the of 5 December 1980, 36/213 of 17 December 1981, 37/157 General Assembly in 1982.(66) The report was based of 17 December 1982 and 38/223 of 20 December 1983 on information provided by Tonga from the mid• concerning assistance for the reconstruction of Nicaragua, term review of its fourth development plan, 1980- Recalling also Economic and Social Council decision 1982/168 of 29 July 1982, 1985. A major constraint in Tonga's planning was Taking note of the report of the Secretary-General on the lack of comprehensive, accurate and timely data. assistance to Nicaragua, The effects of a 1982 cyclone and subsequent Noting with satisfaction the support that Member States, drought which lasted most of 1983 continued to affect the specialized agencies and other organizations of the the economy in 1984; a large proportion of avail• United Nations system have given to the efforts of the able aid resources had to be diverted from develop• Government of Nicaragua for the reconstruction of the ment priorities to rehabilitation and reconstruction. country, To overcome the economic slow-down that occurred Bearing in mind that, in the past few years, the Nicaraguan after those natural disasters, the Government had economy has been negatively affected by various events, among them natural disasters such as the floods and proposed measures to stimulate economic activity, drought of 1982, such as: liberalizing wage, price and export con• Considering that, despite the efforts of the Government trols; promoting the leasing of agricultural land; and people of Nicaragua, the economic situation has not amending tax laws to increase disposable income; returned to normal and continues to worsen, revising import duties to encourage tourism; provid• Deeply concerned that Nicaragua is experiencing seri• ing incentives for new industries; raising local ous economic difficulties directly affecting its develop• revenues for development purposes; and tighten• ment efforts, ing government expenditures. 1. Expresses its appreciation to the Secretary-General for his efforts regarding assistance to Nicaragua; In the period 1980/81 to 1982/83, total GDP in• 2. Expresses its appreciation also to the States and orcrease• d by 6.9 per cent in real terms, and the net ganizations that have provided assistance to Nicaragua; per capita increase in GDP in that period was 5.2 3. Urges all Governments to continue contributing per cent. The trade figures showed a widening gap: to the reconstruction and development of Nicaragua; between 1978 and 1982, imports doubled, while ex-

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port revenues had been decreasing since 1980. Tonga zation schemes for cocoa and other primary com­ had presented to a 1982 inter-agency mission 48 modities were under consideration. projects for which assistance was needed at a cost Vanuatu's trade deficit was $2.2 million in 1983; of $58.1 million/67) oriented to short- and medium- earnings from tourism more than made up for the term development needs. The 1984 report described outflow of money. With international assistance, the status of those projects as at 30 September 1984. Vanuatu had attained a favourable balance of pay­ ments. Import duties were the largest revenue source. GENERAL ASSEMBLY ACTION Four road projects had been identified for pri­ By decision 39/431, the General Assembly on 17 ority implementation, subject to availability of funding. December took note of two summary reports of the Inter-island shipping services, air transport facil­ Secretary-General, including the one on Tonga. ities and telecommunications also needed improve­ ment. The country was dependent on imported Vanuatu petroleum for commercial energy requirements, although three quarters of its energy consumption An inter-agency mission led by the Under-Secretary- was in the form of local biomass. Only 8 per cent General for Special Political Questions and Co­ of the population had electricity, almost entirely re­ ordinator for Special Economic Assistance Programmes stricted to two urban centres. Other areas of con­ visited Vanuatu from 18 to 24 June 1984 to con­ cern were education, health, water supply and sewer­ sult with the Government and to report on the country's age, and natural disaster preparedness. urgent development needs. Its report, issued in August 1984(u)—in response to the General Assembly's 1983 The mission reviewed the development projects request^68) that the Secretary-General mobilize as­ proposed by the Government for financing by the sistance for Vanuatu—provided information on the international community in the agriculture, transport, economic, financial and social conditions, described telecommunications, energy, social services, local requirements for Vanuatu's development and proposed government and natural disaster preparedness sectors, projects for international assistance, giving estimated and recommended them for favourable action. It costs. divided the 35 proposed projects, worth some $74.6 million, into an order of priorities. Vanuatu, an archipelago with a relatively high In a resolution of 6 April/43' the Trade and De­ population growth rate of 3 per cent, had signifi­ velopment Board of UNCTAD requested the UNC- cant fishery resources but only a small fishing in­ TAD Secretary-General, in co-operation with UNDP, dustry. About 41 per cent of the land was consid­ to identify, respond to and report on Vanuatu's as­ ered arable and 17 per cent was under cultivation. sistance needs within UNCTAD's competence. UNC­ Explorations were under way to determine possi­ TAD had participated in the June mission to Vanuatu, ble mineral deposits. Under its first national de­ with special reference to transport problems. Ac­ velopment plan for 1982-1986, Vanuatu had set out cording to an UNCTAD secretariat report/42) by the development objectives with emphasis on transport end of 1984 no requests for assistance for projects and communications, utilization of the country's within UNCTAD's competence had been received. agricultural and human resources, encouragement 44 of national entrepreneurism, preservation of its cultural The UNDP Administrator reported^ ' that, during and environmental heritage, and the long-term goal 1984, the UNDP field office at Suva, Fiji, which cov­ of national reliance. ered Vanuatu, sent three missions there to moni­ tor and review ongoing UNDP country and regional The mission stated that the economy, having gradu­ projects and to co-ordinate third-party cost-sharing ally recovered from a set-back following pre- and other multi- and bilateral arrangements with independence disturbances, had expanded stead­ donors. Assistance to Vanuatu in 1984 was facili­ ily since 1981. GDP growth in real terms was esti­ tated by the move of the United Nations Develop­ mated to have accelerated from about 2 per cent ment Advisory Team from Fiji to Vanuatu, where that year to about 4 per cent in 1983, and there were it was combined with the Pacific Office of the Economic indications of good economic performance in 1984. and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific Real incomes for 1984 were estimated to have grown (ESCAP) to form the new ESCAP Pacific Operations by 4 to 5 per cent over 1983. Construction, tourism Centre at Vila, the capital of Vanuatu. and investment had increased since independence in 1980. Agriculture accounted for about one fifth of GDP, despite the fact that 85 per cent of the work­ GENERAL ASSEMBLY ACTION force was engaged in agriculture, and for over 80 On 17 December, the General Assembly, acting per cent of the country's total exports. Vanuatu's on the recommendation of the Second Commit­ export base was dominated by copra, which brought tee, adopted resolution 39/198 without vote. in over 70 per cent of export earnings. In 1984, copra Economic assistance to Vanuatu exports increased nearly 20 per cent, doubling copra The General Assembly, export earnings. The Government introduced in Recalling its resolution 38/218 of 20 December 1983, 1982 a copra price stabilization scheme, and stabili­ in which it requested the Secretary-General to mobilize

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the financial, technical and economic assistance of the Civil Aviation Organization, the World Health Organi• international community, in particular the developed coun• zation, the World Bank, the International Telecommu• tries and the appropriate organizations of the United nication Union, the World Meteorological Organization, Nations system, with a view to meeting the development the International Maritime Organization and the Inter• needs of Vanuatu, national Fund for Agricultural Development to bring to Recalling also its resolutions 31/156 of 21 December 1976, the attention of their governing bodies, for their consider• 32/185 of 19 December 1977, 34/205 of 19 December 1979, ation, the special needs of Vanuatu and to report the de• 35/61 of 5 December 1980 and 37/206 of 20 December cisions of those bodies to the Secretary-General by 15 1982, in which it urged all Governments, in particular July 1985; those of the developed countries, to lend their support, 8. Requests the Committee for Development Planning in the context of their assistance programmes, for the at its twenty-first session, as a matter of priority, to give implementation of the specific action envisaged in favour due consideration to the question of the inclusion of Vanu• of island developing countries, and in which it also called atu in the list of the least developed countries and to submit upon all organizations of the United Nations system to its conclusions to the Economic and Social Council at implement, within their respective spheres of competence, its second regular session of 1985; appropriate specific actions in favour of island develop• 9. Calls upon Member States, pending consideration ing countries, by the Committee for Development Planning at its twenty- Noting the difficult problems faced by island develop• first session of the report submitted to it and in view of ing countries, owing mainly to their smallness, remote• the critical economic situation of Vanuatu, to accord Vanu• ness, constraints in transport, great distances from market atu special measures and, as a matter of priority, to give centres, highly limited internal markets, lack of natural special consideration to the early inclusion of Vanuatu resources, heavy dependence on a few commodities, short• in their programmes of development assistance; age of administrative personnel and heavy financial 10. Requests the Secretary-General: burdens, (a) To continue his efforts to mobilize the necessary Taking into account the fact that Vanuatu is an island resources for an effective programme of financial, tech• developing country, that it is a geographically remote ar• nical and material assistance to Vanuatu; chipelago with a small population, that it has demographic (b) To keep the situation in Vanuatu under constant disadvantages, that its dependence on imports is over• review, to maintain close contact with Member States, whelming and that it has a scarcity of adequate trans• the specialized agencies, regional and other intergovern• portation and communications links, all of which pose mental organizations and the international financial in• special development problems, making the provision of stitutions concerned, and to apprise the Economic and services difficult and entailing very high overhead costs, Social Council, at its second regular session of 1985, of 1. Calls the attention of the international community the current status of the special programme of economic to the report of the Secretary-General on assistance to assistance for Vanuatu; Vanuatu; (c) To report on the progress made in the economic 2. Endorses the assessment and recommendations con• situation in Vanuatu and in organizing international as• tained in the annex to the report of the Secretary-General; sistance for mat country in time for the matter to be con• 3. Expresses its appreciation to the Secretary-General sidered by the General Assembly at its fortieth session. for the steps he has taken to mobilize assistance for Vanuatu; 4. Also expresses its appreciation to those States and or• General Assembly resolution 39/198 ganizations which have provided assistance to that country; 17 December 1984 Meeting 103 Adopted without vote 5. Further calls the attention of the international com• Approved by Second Committee IA/39/793I without vote, 30 November (meeting 54); 60-nation draft (A/C.2/39/L.63I, orally revised following informal consulta• munity to the special problems confronting Vanuatu as tions; agenda item 83 (bj. an island developing country with a small but rapidly Sponsors: Afghanistan, Algeria, Angola, Australia, Bahamas, Bangladesh, Belize, growing and unevenly distributed population, a severe Benin, Bolivia, Botswana, Burundi, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Chad, China, Cyprus, shortage of development capital and declining budget• Democratic Yemen, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, Ethiopia, Fiji, Guinea- Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, India, Japan, Libyan Arab Jamahiriya, Madagascar, Mal• ary support from present donors; dives, Mozambique, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Pakistan, Panama, 6. Requests the appropriate organizations and Papua New Guinea, Portugal, Romania, Rwanda, Samoa, Sao Tome and Prin• programmes of the United Nations system to maintain cipe, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Solomon Islands, Swaziland, Syrian Arab Repub• lic, Trinidad and Tobago, Uganda, United Kingdom, United Republic of Tanza• and expand their current and future programmes of as• nia, United States, Uruguay, Vanuatu, Venezuela, Viet Nam, Yemen, Yugoslavia, sistance to Vanuatu, to co-operate closely with the Zambia. Secretary-General in organizing an effective international Meeting numbers. GA 39th session: 2nd Committee 32-37, 45, 54; plenary 103. programme of assistance and to report periodically to him on the steps they have taken and the resources they The draft was revised in informal consultations, have made available to help that country; where it was agreed to add UNFPA to the list of or• 7. Invites the Economic and Social Commission for ganizations in paragraph 7. Asia and the Pacific, the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development, the United Nations Industrial REFERENCES Development Organization, the United Nations Chil• 2 (!)A/39/392 & Add.l. ( )A/39/383. WA/39/389. WA/39/384. dren's Fund, the United Nations Fund for Population WA/39/381. (6)A/39/572. OA/39/385. (8)A/39/382. WA/39/391. Activities, the United Nations Development Programme, (10)A/39/394. («)A/39/388. (12>A/39/393 & Add.l. <13>A/39/578. the World Food Programme, the International Labour (U)YUN 1981, p. 406. (15)/Ai'A/39/627. <2°>YUN 1978, p. 429. (21>A/39/289-E/1984/107 Scientific and Cultural Organization, the International & Add.l. (22>YUN 1980, p. 557, GA res. 35/64, 5 Dec. 1980.

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(")/Airf., p. 548. <">E/1984/66. («>E/1985/57. some 18 countries and an estimated 30 million people (26>ACC/1984/DEC/1-12 (dec. 1984/2). (27)E/1984/U0 & Add.l. 28 29 3 out of a total population of 161 million. That situ­ ( >A/40/87. < >DP/1985/5/Add.l. ( <>>E/1984/20 (dec. 84/18). (31)YUN 1983, p. 537, GA res. 38/201, 20 Dec. 1983. ation was caused by a combination of drought and, (32>E/1984/20 (dec. 84/19). <33)DP/1984/17. <3*)A/39/477. in some cases, civil strife, coupled with adminis­ (3S)A/39/724 & Corr.l. WA/39/797-S/16854. <3?)A/39/833. 38 39 trative and logistical difficulties and underdevelop­ ( >E/1985/29. ( )YUN 1983, p. 492, GA res. 38/210, 20 ment problems. UNDRO continued its functions of Dec. 1983. (*°)Ibid., p. 492. Wbid., p. 494, GA res. 38/219, 20 Dec. 1983. («)TD/B/1038. («)A/39/15, vol. I assessing relief needs, monitoring and co-ordinating (res. 292(XXVIII)). (">DP/1985/19. («)YUN 1983, p. 496, GA donor response, and providing information on re­ res. 38/211, 20 Dec. 1983. (46)A/C.2/39/L.74. (*7>YUN 1983, 49 quirements in individual countries and the evolu­ p. 500. («)YUN 1982, p. 685. < )YUN 1983, p. 502. WYUN tion of the emergency situation there. In addition 1982, p. 686. (">YUN 1983, p. 504. (52>/Aid., p. 508, GA res. 38/215, 20 Dec. 1983. iM)Ibid., p. 507. («>YUN 1982, to on-site assessment of damage and needs once p. 317, SC res. 527(1982), 15 Dec. 1982. (55>YUN 1983, p. 510. a disaster struck and provision of emergency relief, l**>Ibid., p. 511, GA res. 38/208, 20 Dec. 1983. (")YUN 1982, UNDRO activities included the interrelated areas 39 p. 693, GA res. 37/146, 17 Dec. 1982. Wlbid., p. 693. ( >YUN of disaster preparedness and prevention (see p. 520) 1983, p. 512. (6°)/AK/., p. 515, GA res. 38/206, 20 Dec. 1983. 2 and dissemination of information throughout the («)YUN 1982, p. 698. (« >YUN 1983, p. 515, GA res. 38/223, 20 Dec. 1983. fallbid., p. 532, GA res. 38/217, 20 Dec. 1983. world. UNDRO's activities between 1 April 1983 and $*)Ibid., p. 532. («5)A/39/392/Add.l. (<*)YUN 1982, p. 700, GA 31 March 1985 were described in reports of the res. 37/164, 17 Dec. 1982. (67)/Airf., p. 699. (««)YUN 1983, Secretary-General to the Economic and Social Coun­ p. 516, GA res. 38/218, 20 Dec. 1983. cil and/or the General Assembly issued in June 1984« and May 1985.(2' The first of two addenda to die 1984 report dealt widi strengdiening die United Nations capacity to respond to natural disasters and Disasters other disaster situations; the second contained the text of a proposed draft convention on expediting During 1984, UNDRO continued its work in co­ the delivery of emergency assistance (see p. 504). ordinating die relief activities of die United Nations Maintaining close working relationships with system in response to natural disasters such as Governments—bodi donors to relief efforts and diose drought, floods, storms and earthquakes. Besides suffering disasters—was an important element of responding to disasters, UNDRO continued its work UNDRO's work. High-level missions visited a num­ in promoting preparedness for such events. ber of countries in both categories. In August and Both the General Assembly and the Economic November, after consultations with the Economic and Social Council called for assistance to deal with Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean special needs resulting from die continuing drought (ECLAC), a mission visited the headquarters of the in certain areas in Africa, particularly the Sudano- Latin American Economic System (know by its Sahelian region (Assembly resolution 39/206) and Spanish acronym, SELA) at Caracas, Venezuela, to East Africa (Council resolutions 1984/5, 1984/6 and develop co-operation between die two organizations. 1984/7, and Assembly resolutions 39/201 and (SELA translated and relayed UNDRO situation 39/205); cyclones and floods in Madagascar (Council reports on disasters in die region to member States.) resolution 1984/3 and Assembly resolution 39/191); Questionnaires developed for joint preparedness a cyclone in Swaziland (Council decision 1984/106 and prevention activities aimed at assessing die cur­ and Assembly resolution 39/194); and an earthquake rent state of disaster management capability in Latin in Yemen (Assembly resolution 39/190). In addi­ American countries. In that connection, UNDRO tion, the Assembly and the Council (resolutions undertook assessment missions to Colombia, Ecua­ 39/207 and 1984/60 respectively) recommended dor, Panama, Paraguay and Peru, while SELA sent measures for strengdiening die United Nations ca­ a consultant to Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile pacity to respond to disasters, stressed the impor­ and Uruguay for that purpose. UNDRO continued tance of UNDRO activities and appealed to the in­ consultations with intergovernmental and non­ ternational community to contribute to die UNDRO governmental humanitarian organizations to share Trust Fund. information. To that end, die second international meeting of mobile disaster units (groups organized for relief activities at disaster sites outside dieir own Office of the United Nations countries) (Geneva, 22-24 May) made recommen­ Disaster Relief Co-ordinator dations on logistics and stockpiles of relief goods covering pre-disaster planning, assessment and in­ UNDRO activities tervention. In 1984, UNDRO continued to provide assistance at the request of Governments to reduce the eco­ Activities in public information were expanded, nomic and social impact of disasters on develop­ with die crisis in Africa adding urgency to the need ing countries. Its activities were dominated by the to acquire and disseminate up-to-date information emergency situation in Africa (see p. 465), involving on disaster prevention technology, pre-disaster plan-

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ning, public education, assessment of relief needs ments concerned, providing technical assistance, and other aspects of disaster management. The bi• issuing situation reports or providing cash grants. monthly UNDRO News contained the latest tech• nical information on disasters and on UNDRO —Afghanistan. An earthquake struck a region bor• dering Pakistan on 31 December 1983, destroying 1,316 emergency-related activities, including a table on houses and forcing 6,580 persons to evacuate their the latest situation in the African countries affected homes. UNDRO issued an international appeal on 30 by drought and other disasters. New publications January 1984 and provided a cash grant of $20,000 included the latest volume of the UNDRO/UNEP for construction material. Compendium on Disaster Prevention and Mitigation— —Benin. After deficient rainfall throughout 1983 which Preparedness Aspects; the final report on the meeting led to crop failures and a significant lowering of water- on mobile disaster units, and the proceedings of tables, UNDRO sent an inter-agency mission to Benin the 1983 Balkan Regional Seminar on Earthquake from 11 to 25 February 1984. At the request of the Preparedness/3) A brochure was published describ• Government, the mission formulated a six-month, $1- ing the functions, purposes and uses of the Trust million relief programme to provide drinking-water, emergency food aid and medical supplies. A multisec- Fund of UNDRO. UNDRO also co-operated in mak• toral drought-relief programme planned by UNDRO ing two documentary films, one on relief activities was completed on 30 September, which involved drilling following a typhoon in the Philippines and disaster of boreholes and repair of wells, provision of food aid prevention and preparedness work in the Carib• and agricultural and medical supplies, and reconstruc• bean, and the other on the causes and effects of the tion of villages. drought in Africa. The press was informed of —Botswana. Rainfall continued to be insufficient in UNDRO activities through periodic press releases, 1984, resulting in lack of drinking-water and malnutri• briefings on emergency operations and topical ar• tion. At the request of the Government, UNDRO ap• ticles. pealed for international assistance. —Burma. A serious fire on 24 March at Mandalay New components were introduced into the com• destroyed 2,700 houses and rendered 23,250 persons puterized Disaster Information System and UN• homeless. Loss of property was estimated at $33 mil• DRO's telecommunications system. Implementa• lion. An appeal was launched on 13 April for assistance tion of the computerized Disaster Information Data to the homeless. UNDRO provided an emergency grant Base system continued. A new component, the Bib• for fire equipment. Contributions as at 8 November liographic Data Base, was completed. The UNDRO amounted to $377,236. Data Bank, a collection of disaster-related material, —Chad. In November, the Government appealed for relief assistance to the drought-affected population. was expanded, with particular attention to train• UNDRO sent a representative there to help assess relief ing, education and audio-visual material, as well needs. as to the map library. UNDRO also provided sys• —Colombia. Flooding and landslides in October af• tems and services for use by other organizations, fected 194,000 persons. The Government appealed for including UNHCR and UNICEF, which were international assistance on 13 November. UNDRO provided direct access to the Disaster Information released an emergency grant and sent a representa• Data Base, and UNHCR was given the use of the tive to assist in assessing damage and relief needs. UNDRO computerized telex transmission system. —Mali. Following a poor 1982/83 growing season, Portable mini-computers, capable of computer-to- Mali appealed for international assistance and UNDRO computer interchange of information with UNDRO sent an evaluation mission there in May 1984 to es• headquarters at Geneva, were introduced in disaster- tablish a list of emergency relief needs. A cholera out• break in July 1984 lasted through the rainy season. A stricken countries to record contributions and as• UNDRO/WFP/FAO mission in October/November sist in managing the logistics of receipt and distri• evaluated stock-breeding, agricultural production and bution of relief goods. emergency relief and determined a need for 202,000 During 1984, the United Nations concluded an metric tons of food. agreement with the International Telecommuni• —Mauritania. In response to a 14 December 1983 request from the Government, UNDRO organized an cations Satellite Corporation (INTELSAT), permit• inter-agency mission from 14 to 21 February 1984 to ting the free use of INTELSAT satellites for peace• review the implementation of the emergency action keeping and disaster relief operations. Field tests plan for combating the effects of the drought and to were carried out using portable satellite transmit• strengthen the relief effort. The mission called for ad• ters for emergency communications from the field ditional food aid, trucks and contributions towards trans• to UNDRO headquarters. port costs, assistance in nutritional monitoring and In addition to examining a number of disaster strengthening of medical facilities, as well as short-term measures in agriculture, cattle raising, hydrology and situations concerning which the General Assem• utilization of labour. bly and the Economic and Social Council took action —Mozambique. In addition to suffering a prolonged to provide relief assistance (see below, under "Disaster drought, Mozambique was hit by a cyclone in late Janu• relief), UNDRO took note of numerous other dis• ary, which caused 109 deaths and affected 300,000 per• asters, such as those listed below, often launching sons. Agricultural land, irrigation systems and water international appeals at the request of the Govern• supply for Maputo were severely damaged. UNDRO

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led a multi-agency mission to assess the emergency needs by disasters of all kinds and the creation of infrastruc­ and identify relief distribution problems. Following an tures which would be beneficial in this regard, international appeal, UNDRO reported over $87 mil­ Convinced of the absolute necessity of maintaining a lion in contributions as at 24 February. sound financial basis, in accordance with repeated re­ —Niger. UNDRO launched an international appeal quests by the General Assembly, to ensure the continu­ for assistance, as requested by the Niger on 19 December ation of the work of the Office of the United Nations Dis­ as a result of the drought. UNDRO was also asked to aster Relief Co-ordinator at its present level as a minimum, provide logistics support and to obtain the necessary Appreciating the contributions made by donors in sup­ funding. porting international relief operations, including those —Philippines. Three strong typhoons hit the Philip­ made to the Trust Fund of the Office of the United Nations pines between August and November, causing flood­ Disaster Relief Co-ordinator, ing which destroyed crops and livestock and damaged 1. Tikes note with profound satisfaction of the report of roads, bridges and buildings. More than 3.2 million the Secretary-General on the activities of the Office of people were affected and damage was estimated at $337 the United Nations Disaster Relief Co-ordinator and of million. UNDRO provided an emergency grant to cover the statement made by the Co-ordinator before the Third immediate relief needs. Air transport was arranged for (Programme and Co-ordination) Committee of the Coun­ much of the relief distribution. cil on 17 July 1984, as well as of the report of me Secretary- —Viet Nam. A typhoon struck coastal provinces in General on strengthening the capacity of the United November, followed by heavy rains which extended to Nations system to respond to natural disasters and other other parts of the country. About 650,000 people were disaster situations, called for in paragraph 12 of General seriously affected and considerable damage was caused Assembly resolution 38/202; to crops and housing. Responding to an appeal for emer­ 2. Recognizes that information is one of the essential gency assistance, the international donor community elements for the fulfilment of the mandate of the Office provided cash to purchase medicines and food, and of the United Nations Disaster Relief Co-ordinator as contributions in kind. the focal point of the United Nations system for disaster relief co-ordination, and emphasizes the importance of improving the flow and quality of information during ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COUNCIL ACTION disaster relief operations so that a more complete pic­ On 26 July, the Economic and Social Council ture of relief channels and activities, assistance received adopted resolution 1984/60 without vote. The draft and unmet requirements may be available to all concerned; was recommended by the Third Committee. 3. Stresses, in this regard, the primary importance of inter-agency assessment missions organized by the Office Office of the United Nations Disaster Relief Co-ordinator of the United Nations Disaster Relief Co-ordinator with The Economic and Social Council, the participation of the appropriate organizations of the Recalling General Assembly resolutions 2816(XXVI) United Nations system and other relief bodies in order of 14 December 1971, by which the Assembly established to ensure the effective co-ordination of disaster relief ac­ the Office of the United Nations Disaster Relief Co­ tivities, assistance and requirements; ordinator, 36/225 of 17 December 1981, by which it 4. Recognizes the value of united appeals, launched reaffirmed the mandate and strengthened the capacity after the joint development with the agencies concerned of the Office, and 38/202 of 20 December 1983, in which of concerted relief programmes based upon the findings it, inter alia, noted with interest the steps taken to of inter-agency assessment missions, to be sent at the in­ strengthen the capacity of the Office, and of the United vitation of the Government concerned, as a most effec­ Nations system as a whole, to respond to disasters, and tive tool for co-ordination, and urges Governments to called for a further report on the matter to be submit­ continue to respond to such appeals accordingly; ted to the Assembly at its thirty-ninth session, through 5. Requests the Secretary-General to adapt procedures the Economic and Social Council at its second regular for the procurement of supplies by the Office of the United session of 1984, Nations Disaster Relief Co-ordinator in order to permit Noting with appreciation the effective responses of the a timely response to the special and immediate require­ Office of the United Nations Disaster Relief Co­ ments of countries exposed to disasters or facing an emer­ ordinator, and of the international community, to re­ gency situation; cent major and continuing disaster situations, 6. Calls upon those contributing assistance in kind to Recognizing diat shortage of resources continues to provide, when appropriate, special grants to cover the hamper the full achievement of the aim of rapid and costs of transport and distribution of the assistance to effective response to the needs of countries affected by and within the affected country; disasters and that, if this shortage is to be overcome, 7. Requests the Office of the United Nations Disaster further efforts will be required by the international com­ Relief Co-ordinator to study, in co-operation with the munity to provide both funds and assistance in kind, parties concerned, the most appropriate steps to ensure Considering that all possible new and innovative ap­ the ready availability of relief supplies and transport proaches should be examined with a view to improving equipment; further the rapid delivery of emergency relief, 8. Urges Governments to increase their efforts to reduce Noting the wealth of expertise and training facilities delays in the provision of food assistance in response to that exists and that could be drawn upon by disaster- natural disasters and other disaster situations; prone developing countries, 9. Recommends that, as the United Nations Disaster Recalling the importance attached in the Substantial Relief Co-ordinator phases out his emergency co­ New Programme of Action for the 1980s for the Least ordination responsibility in a given country, he should Developed Countries to the reduction of losses caused contribute to ensuring the necessary transition to the re-

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habitation and reconstruction phase by passing on rele• on the need for support for the transport and dis• vant data to competent organs and agencies of the tribution of relief supplies. United Nations system; With regard to disaster preparedness and 10. Calls upon Governments and international relief prevention, increasing use was being made of organizations to put at the disposal of die United Nations modern techniques in monitoring situations which Disaster Relief Co-ordinator the names and specializa• tions of qualified disaster personnel available, in case might develop into emergencies. UNDRO had sig• of need, for inter-agency assessment missions, the exe• nificantly strengthened its information service, an cution of relief programmes or other disaster mitigation essential instrument for liaison and co-operation activities, and to inform him of existing disaster manage• with other organizations. ment training capabilities and opportunities for such The Assembly adopted resolution 39/207, on training which could be offered to officials from develop• the recommendation of the Second Committee, ing countries; without vote on 17 December. 11. Encourages the Co-ordinator to review, if neces• sary with the assistance of specialists made available by Office of the United Nations appropriate international bodies, the internal evalua• Disaster Relief Co-ordinator tion system of the Office; The General Assembly, 12. Recognizes the importance of disaster prevention Recalling its resolutions 2816(XXVI) of 14 December and preparedness at the regional and national levels in 1971, by which the Office of the United Nations Dis• mitigating the effects of disasters, appreciates the work aster Relief Co-ordinator was established, 36/225 of 17 which the Office of the United Nations Disaster Relief December 1981, by which it reaffirmed the mandate of Co-ordinator has performed in this area as far as the the Office and strengthened its capacity, and 38/202 of resources available in its Trust Fund have allowed, and 20 December 1983, in which it, inter alia, noted with in• encourages Governments to continue to draw upon the terest the steps taken to strengthen the capacity of the services available from the Office and other organiza• Office, and of the United Nations system as a whole, tions concerned and to provide the necessary resources to respond to disasters, and called for a further report for this aspect of technical co-operation; on the matter to be submitted to the Assembly at its 13. Emphasizes the essential need for the work of the thirty-ninth session, through the Economic and Social Office of the United Nations Disaster Relief Co• Council at its second regular session of 1984, ordinator to be placed and kept on a sound financial Recalling also Economic and Social Council resolution basis, and appeals to the international community to 1984/60 of 26 July 1984, make contributions to the Trust Fund for General Dis• Noting with appreciation the effective response of the aster Relief or to the Trust Fund of the Office of the Office of the Co-ordinator and of me international com• United Nations Disaster Relief Co-ordinator for the pur• munity to recent major and continuing disaster situ• poses set out in the report of the Secretary-General on ations, the activities of the Office. Recognizing that shortage of resources continues to hamper the full achievement of the aim of rapid and Economic and Social Council resolution 1984/60 effective response to the needs of countries affected by 26 July 1984 Meeting 49 Adopted without vote disasters and that, if this shortage is to be overcome, further efforts will be required by die international com• Approved by Third Committee IE/1984/1481 without vote, 23 July (meeting 15); 11- nation draft (E/1984/C.3/L9), orally revised; agenda item 18. munity to provide both funds and assistance in kind, Sponsors: Argentina, Austria, Bangladesh, Canada, Kuwait, Lebanon, Ftokistan, Fbr- Considering that all possible new and innovative ap• tugal. Saint Lucia, Senegal for African Group, Turkey. proaches should be examined with a view to improving further the rapid delivery of emergency relief, Following the sponsors' oral proposal to add the Noting the wealth of expertise and training facilities last preambular paragraph, Canada withdrew an that exists and that could be drawn upon by disaster- oral amendment it had made to add a final oper• prone developing countries, ative paragraph to the same effect. Japan also Recalling the importance attached in the Substantial orally proposed, but later withdrew, an amend• New Programme of Action for the 1980s for the Least ment to add a preambular paragraph recognizing Developed Countries to the reduction of losses caused that primary responsibility for administration of by disasters of all kinds and the creation of infrastruc• relief operations and disaster preparedness lay with tures which would be beneficial in this regard, the affected countries and that the major part of Convinced of the absolute necessity of maintaining a the material assistance and human effort in dis• sound financial basis, in accordance with repeated re• quests by the General Assembly, to ensure the continu• aster relief came from those countries' ation of the work of the Office of the Co-ordinator at Governments. its present level as a minimum, Appreciating the contributions made by donors in sup• GENERAL ASSEMBLY ACTION porting international relief operations, including those made to the Trust Fund of the Office of the United Addressing the Second Committee on 5 Novem• Nations Disaster Relief Co-ordinator, ber 1984, the United Nations Disaster Relief Co• 1. Takes note with satisfaction of the report of the ordinator stressed the considerable needs of the Secretary-General on the work of the Office of the countries affected by the drought in Africa. A com• United Nations Disaster Relief Co-ordinator, as well as mon feature of the relief programmes recendy pre• his report on strengthening the capacity of the United pared for those countries had been the emphasis Nations system to respond to natural disasters and other

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disaster situations, called for in paragraph 12 of General mitigating the effects of disasters, appreciates the work Assembly resolution 38/202, and of the statement made which the Office of the Co-ordinator has performed in by the Co-ordinator on 5 November 1984; this area as far as die resources available in die Trust Fund 2. Recognizes that information is one of the essential of the Office have allowed, and encourages Governments elements for the fulfilment of the mandate of the Office to continue to draw upon the services available from the of the Co-ordinator as die focal point of the United Nations Office and odier organizations concerned and to pro­ system for disaster relief co-ordination, and emphasizes vide the necessary resources for this aspect of technical the importance of improving the flow and quality of in­ co-operation; formation during disaster relief operations so that a more 13. Requests the Office of die Co-ordinator to increase complete picture of relief channels and activities, assistance its fund-raising efforts through the means available to it; received and unmet requirements may be available to 14. Emphasizes the essential need for the work of the all concerned; Office of the Co-ordinator to be placed and kept on a 3. Stresses, in this regard, the primary importance of sound financial basis and requests the Secretary-General inter-agency assessment missions organized by the Office to assign a higher priority to this; of the Co-ordinator with the participation of die appropri­ 15. Reiterates in particular its appeals to the interna­ ate organizations of the United Nations system and other tional community in resolutions 35/107 of 5 December relief bodies in order to ensure die effective co-ordination 1980, 36/225 of 17 December 1981, 37/144 of 17 Decem­ of disaster relief activities, assistance and requirements; ber 1982 and 38/202 of 20 December 1983 for urgent in­ 4. Recognizes the value of united appeals, launched creased contributions to die Trust Fund established pur­ after the joint development with the agencies concerned suant to its resolution 3243(XXIX) of 29 November 1974 of concerted relief programmes based upon the findings for the purposes set out in the reports of die Secretary- of inter-agency assessment missions, to be sent at the in­ General concerning die activities of die Office of die Co­ vitation of the Government concerned, as a most effec­ ordinator. tive tool for co-ordination and urges Governments to con­ tinue to respond to such appeals accordingly; General Assembly resolution 39/207 5. Requests the Secretary-General to modify existing 17 December 1984 Meeting 103 Adopted without vote United Nations procurement procedures, as necessary, to permit, on the part of the Office of the Co-ordinator, Approved by Second Committee (A/39/793Add.1l without vote, 6 December (meeting 561; draft by vice-Chairman (A/C.2/39/L103), based on informal consultations a timely and more effective response to the special and on 28-nation draft (A/C.2/39/L70); agenda item 83 la). immediate requirements of countries exposed to disasters Meeting numbers. GA 39th session: 2nd Committee 32-37, 47, 56; plenary 103. or facing an emergency situation; 6. Calls upon those contributing assistance in kind to In his oral report to the Second Committee on provide, when appropriate, special grants to cover the 5 November, the Co-ordinator reported on steps costs of transport and distribution of the assistance to taken to implement a 1983 Assembly resolution*4' and within the affected country; on special assistance to alleviate the economic and 7. Requests the Office of the Co-ordinator to study, social problems faced in regions of Honduras and in co-operation widi the parties concerned, the most ap­ propriate steps to ensure the ready availability of relief Nicaragua as a result of the May 1982 floods and supplies and transport equipment; other subsequent natural disasters. Nicaragua had 8. Urges Governments to increase dieir efforts to reduce requested technical assistance for earthquake and delays in the provision of food assistance in response to volcanic prediction; UNDRO, through the UNDP natural disasters and other disaster situations; representatives, had offered technical assistance serv­ 9. Recommends that as the Co-ordinator phases out ices of experts in pre-disaster planning. Honduras his emergency co-ordination responsibility in a given coun­ had also defined the specific areas where assistance try, he should contribute to ensuring the necessary tran­ was needed, and a technical mission was currently sition to the rehabilitation and reconstruction phase by being organized. passing on relevant data to competent organs and agencies of the United Nations system; The Assembly, by decision 39/431, took note of 10. Calls upon Governments and international relief the oral report. organizations to put at the disposal of the Co-ordinator the names and specializations of qualified disaster per­ Draft convention on expediting aid delivery sonnel available, in case of need, for inter-agency assess­ In an addendum^5) to his June 1984 report on ment missions, the execution of relief programmes or 1 other disaster mitigation activities, and to inform him UNDRO activities^ ) the Secretary-General submit­ of existing disaster management training capabilities and ted UNDRO's proposed draft convention on expedit­ opportunities for such training which could be offered ing the delivery of emergency assistance following to officials from developing countries; disasters. The text dealt with measures to facilitate 11. Requests the Co-ordinator to review and improve, the receipt of aid, such as transit rights, visas and if necessary widi the assistance of specialists made available the necessary privileges, immunities and security by appropriate international bodies, the internal evalu­ for relief units, to facilitate export and import of ation system of the Office of the Co-ordinator in order relief goods, to ensure access to telecommunica­ to ensure that experience obtained from disaster relief tions for relief purposes, to provide transportation operations is fully taken into account in the future work of the Office; of relief consignments, and to assign liability in con­ 12. Recognizes the importance of disaster prevention nection with assistance provided by States and or­ and preparedness at the regional and national levels in ganizations to affected States. Comments of the

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United Nations Legal Counsel and of the Inter• ments and EEC paid to the Funds in 1984 totalled national Red Cross had been taken into con• $7,783,779 (see tables below). sideration and some modifications made. The In his June report on UNDRO/1) the Secretary- text was submitted so that the Economic and So• General emphasized that, to maintain the current cial Council could decide on a further review by level of activity, there was need for resources and a group of governmental experts. the reversal of the unsatisfactory trend in volun• tary contributions, which paid for one third of UN- ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COUNCIL ACTION DRO's work, over the previous two years. In 1984, steps had to be taken to restrict the length of staff In July, the Council adopted decision contracts to the funds known to be available and 1984/175, without vote, on the recommendation UNDRO had been compelled to draw upon the of its Third Committee. very limited reserves brought forward from previ• Reports of the Secretary-General ous years in order to continue its work. However, relating to special economic, the Co-ordinator reported orally on 5 November humanitarian and disaster relief assistance to the Assembly's Second Committee that there At its 49th plenary meeting, on 26 July 1984, the had been a reversal of the downward trend in Council: voluntary contributions to the Trust Fund. (a) Took note of the reports of the Secretary- General on a proposed draft convention on expediting the delivery of emergency relief and on the implemen• CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE TRUST FUNDS FOR tation of the medium-term and long-term recovery DISASTER RELIEF ASSISTANCE, 1984 and rehabilitation programme in the Sudano-Sahelian las at 31 December 1984; in US dollar equivalent! region and decided to transmit those reports to the AMOUNT General Assembly; PURPOSE/CONTRIBUTOR PAID (b) Took note of the summary report of the Secretary-General on the special economic assistance Disaster relief in Angola European Economic Community 394,761 programme for Swaziland. Netherlands 103,188 Norway 127,000 Economic and Social Council decision 1984/175 Subtotal 624,949 Adopted without vote Disaster relief in Burma Approved by Third Committee IE/1984/148) without vote, 23 July (meeting 15); Philippines 250 oral proposal by Chairman; agenda item 18. United States 10,000 Subtotal 10,250 UNDRO financing Disaster relief in Chad The activities of UNDRO were financed mainly Denmark 30,000 from the United Nations regular budget and Disaster relief in Ethiopia voluntary contributions to the UNDRO Trust Canada 587,164 Fund. In addition, the Trust Fund for General European Economic Community 1,962,039 Disaster Relief was used as a reserve and a Italy 262,095 Norway 8,392 revolving fund to guarantee and, if necessary, United States 300,000 advance sums pledged by donors for particular Subtotal 3,119,690 relief operations, bridging the gap between the date of the pledge and actual receipt of the dona• Disaster relief in Guinea European Economic Community 80,458 tion. For the 1984-1985 biennium, the General Switzerland 30,734 Assembly had appropriated $5,236,400 in De• United States 10,000 6 cember 1983/ ) which was revised to $4,794,000 Subtotal 121,192 in December 1984 by resolution 39/237 A. In Disaster relief in Madagascar 1984, contributions from Governments to the Australia 22,560 UNDRO Trust Fund totalled $7,783,779. Ex• Canada 38,402 penses for the Office amounted to $2,496,757, United States 76,500 most of which was spent on salaries and common Subtotal 137,462 staff costs. Disaster relief in Mali Denmark 20,000 Expenditures under the Trust Funds during Italy 1,048,381 1984 were $7,073,936, including $5,022,385 to 33 Netherlands 20,000 Switzerland 24,000 individual countries and the Caribbean. The United Kingdom 55,000 UNDRO Trust Fund had sub-accounts for strength• 1,167,381 ening UNDRO, for emergency relief assistance (un- Subtotal earmarked, to supplement regular budget grants, Disaster relief in Mauritania Denmark 20,408 and earmarked, for particular countries) and for Norway 18,286 technical assistance in disaster prevention and pre- Switzerland 15,000 disaster planning. Contributions from 19 Govern• Subtotal 53,694

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AMOUNT ACCOUNT/PURPOSE AMOUNT PURPOSE/CONTRIBUTOR PAID Disaster relief assistance (cont.) Disaster relief in Mozambique Indonesia 122 Australia 23,612 Lebanon 15,596 Ireland 16,763 Madagascar 105,721 Italy 612,639 Mali 165,936 Subtotal 653,014 Mauritania 42,309 Mozambique 428,536 Disaster relief in Nicaragua Nepal 25,000 Italy 117,347 Niger 54,293 Disaster relief in the Niger Paraguay 13,011 Peru 95,762 Denmark 20,000 Philippines 32,467 Disaster relief in Rwanda Portugal 25,000 Somalia 24,648 Germany, Federal Republic of 47,510 Swaziland 104,850 United Kingdom 47,720 Turkey 355,003 Subtotal 95,230 Viet Nam 18,839

Disaster relief in Sri Lanka Subtotal 5,022,385

Cyprus 300 General disaster relief operations 80,725

Disaster relief in Swaziland Strengthening of UNDRO 698,112 Australia 47,225 UNDRO/UNEP projects 16,720 Canada 40,254 Disaster prevention and pre-disaster planning 255,994 Subtotal 87,479 Strengthening of UNDRO Total 7,073,936 Australia 110,556 SOURCE: Accounts for the 12-month period ended 31 December 1984 of the Bahamas 1,500 1984-1985 biennium —schedules of individual trust funds. Barbados 1,000 Canada 190,804 Greece 10,000 In resolution 1984/60, the Economic and Social Italy 265,521 Council emphasized the need for UNDRO's work Japan 50,000 New Zealand 6,457 to be on a sound financial basis and appealed to Norway 50,000 the international community to contribute to the Switzerland 60,000 Trust Funds set up to support that work. Tunisia 5,101 United Kingdom 6 The General Assembly, in resolution 39/207, re• Subtotal 750,945 quested UNDRO to increase its fund-raising efforts UNDRO Pan Caribbean Projects and also emphasized the need for UNDRO's work Canada 456,078 to be on a sound financial basis; the Secretary- European Economic Community 13,268 General was asked to assign a higher priority to United States 275,500 that goal. The Assembly reiterated its appeals to Subtotal 744,846 the international community for urgent increased Disaster prevention and pre-disaster planning contributions to the UNDRO Trust Fund. Norway 50,000

Total 7,783,779 Co-ordination in the UN system SOURCE: Accounts for the 12-month period ended 31 December 1984 of the 7 1984-1985 biennium—schedules of individual trust funds The Secretary-General, in an addendum' ) to his June report on UNDRO, W made proposals for EXPENDITURES UNDER THE TRUST FUNDS FOR strengthening the capacity of the United Nations DISASTER RELIEF ASSISTANCE, 1984 system to respond to natural and other disaster sit• las at 31 December 1984; in US dollars) uations, as requested by the General Assembly in ACCOUNT/PURPOSE AMOUNT 1983.W The report was a follow-up to recommen• 9 Disaster relief assistance dations in a 1983 report on the same subject. ( ) Afghanistan 20,000 The Secretary-General recommended that, once Angola 2,147 a feasibility study had been done, UNDRO should Argentina 20,000 Benin 539,361 conduct, on an experimental basis, its head• Bolivia 20,400 quarters' consultations with agencies through a Botswana 10,200 Burkina Faso 20,000 teleconferencing system. Burma 10,489 The Secretary-General proposed that Member Cape Verde 19,880 Caribbean 801,706 States recognize the value of united appeals— Chad 48,962 launched for an affected country, particularly in Colombia 225,745 the case of major compound disasters, after the Ecuador 217,583 Ethiopia 2,368,448 joint development of relief programmes with the Fiji 9,425 agencies concerned—as a most effective tool for Ghana 30,318 co-ordination and that they continue to respond Guinea 147,743 Honduras 2.885 to those appeals. UNDRO, in co-operation with die

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agencies concerned, monitored and reported on con• of disaster. The June report on UNDRO activities tributions and needs as they became known or from 1 April 1983 to 31 March 1984(]) said that a changed. total of 442 alerts were recorded by its global monitor• Addressing the difficulties in delivering relief sup• ing system and had been brought to the attention plies, he recommended that, in special cases, con• of the international community when warranted; tributions in kind be accompanied by a provision in 43 cases, such alerts had involved UNDRO as• for cash grants to cover the transport of relief goods sistance, following a request from the stricken coun• to reach those in need, with donors acting in con• try, as against 35 such cases die preceding 12 months. sultation with UNDRO. A study should be under• During die reporting year, 23 relief assessment mis• taken to determine with potential donors ways to sions were undertaken either by UNDRO or jointly ensure the availability of relief supplies and to mobi• with other agencies, sometimes covering more dian lize transport equipment promptly in disaster cases, one country. Co-ordination of the activities was im• and to explore ways of concluding agreements with proved dirough meetings at headquarters, field mis• major manufacturers and suppliers so as to ensure sions and meetings in the affected countries. Meet• their immediate availability. As a start, the Co• ings at die country level were usually organized under ordinator would contact emergency units in donor the chairmanship of the UNDP resident represen• countries to study the feasibility of such a proposal. tative/resident co-ordinator. Contacts were main• Member States were urged to reduce the delays in tained widi international airlines to secure free trans• providing emergency food aid through WFP. This portation for both freight and passenger travel. In could be done, die Secretary-General said, by making addition to working with United Nations bodies, physically available at the beginning of each fiscal UNDRO co-ordinated relief from odier intergovern• year at least part of the pledged contributions to mental and non-governmental organizations, in par• the International Emergency Food Reserve. ticular EEC, the League of Arab States and OAU. A growing number of NGOs were associated with Another recommendation called for Governments relief programmes and some were sub-contracted and international relief organizations to transmit to execute UNDRO-financed relief operations, for to UNDRO the names and specializations of quali• example, the Red Cross of the Federal Republic of fied disaster experts who could be sent on assess• Germany, the Middle East Council of Churches, ment missions. States were also urged to inform OXFAM and World Vision International. UNDRO of existing disaster-management training capabilities in disaster-prone countries, with an in• dication of possible funding and scholarships. Disaster relief Drawing attention to the uses for unearmarked emergency relief funds available through the Trust Drought-stricken areas of Africa Fund for General Disaster Relief, the Secretary- According to the Secretary-General's report on General proposed diat an appeal be made to all States UNDRO activities from 1 April 1984 to 31 March to help in increasing the Fund's financial resources 1985, (2) perhaps the chief factor that distinguished from its current level of approximately $800,000. that period from earlier years was the emergency States were also urged to contribute to the techni• situation in Africa, which was caused by drought cal co-operation sub-account of the UNDRO Trust and resulted in famine. Failure, either partial or Fund, used for preparedness and prevention in complete, of seasonal rainfall resulted in crop losses. disaster-prone countries by early warnings and in• The land had lost much of its fertility through years formation. He suggested that UNDRO's systematic of over-grazing, and insufficient capital was avail• internal evaluation be reviewed, if necessary with able for fertilizers, reforestation and soil conservation the assistance of specialists. projects. Consequent problems included malnutri• The Secretary-General, in following up 1982 and tion, disease, loss of human lives, sharp depletion 1983 resolutions by which the General Assembly of animal stocks, increased poverty—particularly had called for special assistance to 20 countries, re• among disadvantaged groups—desiccation of water quested United Nations bodies and the specialized resources, and increased migration especially to agencies to submit information on such assistance. urban areas. The information—on aid, provided by UNDRO, The Scientific Round-Table on the Climatic Sit• DTCD, WFC, WFP, UNICEF, UNHCR, UNCTAD, uation and Drought in Africa (Addis Ababa, 20- UNFPA, UNDP, UNIDO, UNCHS, UNCDF, ILO FAO, 23 February 1984) was organized by ECA in co- UNESCO, WHO, the World Bank and IDA, IMF, sponsorship widi five odier United Nations bodies— ICAO, UPU, ITU, WMO, IMO, WIPO and IFAD— UNEP, UNSO, FAO, UNESCO and WMO—and OAU. was communicated to the Assembly in a report on The ECA Executive Secretary's report on its out• special assistance provided by the United Nations come was transmitted to the Economic and Social 10 system' ) (see p. 464). Council in June.C1) The meeting was attended by UNDRO continued to serve as the focal point for experts on climate, land, water and soil resources, co-ordinating United Nations assistance in cases ecology and the environment from 26 ECA mem-

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ber countries, observers from 11 other countries, dations for States on combating desertification at and representatives from three intergovernmental the national, regional and international levels, in• and non-governmental organizations as well as 11 volving political commitment, strategies and plan• United Nations organs and specialized agencies. ning, and operational and financial co-operation. The meeting reviewed the situation, assessed the In addition to Egypt and die Sudan, die participating impact of drought on the socio-economic systems, countries were Cape Verde, Chad, me Gambia, Mali, as well as human responses to drought, and adopted Mauritania, die Niger, Senegal and die Upper Volta a Regional Plan of Action, detailing measures for (CILSS); Benin, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, die the short, medium and long terms at the national, Ivory Coast, Liberia, Nigeria, Sierra Leone and regional and international levels to combat the impact Togo (ECOWAS); Algeria, Morocco and Tunisia (die of drought in Africa, which had begun in 1968 and Maghreb countries). had not yet ended, despite a brief lull during which The Assembly, in resolution 39/208, welcomed near normal rainfalls had been experienced in the die results of die Conference. It recommended that Sahel region in 1974 and 1975. The severity of the the international community, above all the food shortages could be seen from the fact that the developed countries, should continue to provide 1983 cereal production in 24 drought-affected coun• short-, medium- and long-term assistance to the tries registered a shortfall of 3.3 million tons as com• countries stricken by desertification and drought pared to 1981. in order to support the rehabilitation process—in The meeting suggested that an inter-agency particular through reafforestation—and the regional working group on drought in Africa, with renewal of agricultural production in the affected a secretariat at ECA, be established to monitor the countries, particularly in Africa. Plan of Action and to strengthen inter-agency col• UNDRO, as a member of die Secretary-General's laboration. African countries were urged to en• Advisory Group and Task Force for Africa, had been courage inter-State exchange of information on the associated from the outset with this initiative. In impact of the drought, to consider establishing his June report on UNDRO activities/1) the subregional drought control organizations similar Secretary-General observed diat die Group had held to the Permanent Inter-State Committee on Drought an information meeting for representatives of the Control in die Sahel (CILSS), and to encourage donor community on 2 February to inform them training and research activities. Members of the of the critical situation in Africa and actions en• international community were called on to increase visaged by UNDRO to step up relief assistance. As assistance to affected countries, and the United at 31 March, the total donations for the six coun• Nations and other organizations should help train tries involved (Benin, Chad, Ethiopia, Mauritania, manpower in areas related to drought, strengthen Mozambique, Somalia), not counting contributions institutional capabilities of meteorological and hydro- of food and in kind, amounted to $124 million, in• logical services, ensure that data necessary for de• cluding $4 million through UNDRO. In another tecting and for warning of drought were available, June report/13) die Secretary-General described and and establish subregional climatic data banks. provided data on the food and agriculture situa• Drought-stricken and disaster-prone countries should tion in Africa (see Chapter VIII of this section). adopt long-term measures for 1990 and beyond with a view to devising strategies to make national econ• The food and agriculture situation was also of concern to UNDP. The Administrator issued in May omies more versatile and less vulnerable to climatic 14 variability and minimize the impact of drought. a report' ) on activities of the United Nations Sudano-Sahelian Office (UNSO) (see below) and as• The Plan of Action was approved by the ECA sistance to odier drought-stricken countries in Africa Conference of Ministers on 26 May 1984 (see Chap• during 1983, covering die eight CILSS members and ter VIII of diis section). The Conference urged ECA other African countries particularly affected by members to implement the Plan and called on the drought. He emphasized that die problems related international community and United Nations or• to the drought, which was becoming increasingly ganizations to assist the drought-stricken African structural and endemic, could be solved in a last• countries to combat the impact of drought, rehabili• ing manner only through an increased global ef• tate their economies and implement the Plan. fort, based on ongoing discussions between die coun• Drought and desertification issues were also con• tries concerned and the international community sidered by the Ministerial Conference for a joint as a whole. Medium- and long-range plans for in• policy to combat desertification in die member States tegrated economic and social development were of CILSS and the Economic Community of West needed, encompassing water control, food production African States (ECOWAS), as well as the Maghreb and human and livestock healdi, widi a view to food countries, Egypt and the Sudan (Dakar, Senegal, self-sufficiency, rehabilitation and protection of die 18-27 July 1984). The final resolution of the Con• environment. The resources devoted dius far to de• ference, transmitted to the Secretary-General by velopment assistance for the African countries fell Senegal on 26 September/12) contained recommen• far short of the needs.

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15 In a 29 June decision/ ) the UNDP Governing A number of regional projects were continued Council expressed satisfaction at the action taken in 1984. Among them was the construction and by die Administrator, in pursuance of a 1983 General maintenance of a region-wide system of all-weadier Assembly resolution on the liquidation of the United secondary roads in die Sahel, with die aim of guaran• Nations Emergency Operation Trust Fund and al• 16 teeing the transport of emergency food to remote location of the balance/ ) in approving assistance areas. The secondary road programme, executed to urgently needed projects, primarily in the food by UNDP, was an important element of the over• and agricultural sectors in countries afflicted by fa• all development process in die Sahel. As at die end mine and malnutrition, with special emphasis on of 1984, almost 2,040 of die 3,000 kilometres of roads drought-stricken African countries. for which diere was financing were completed. The By resolution 39/165, the General Assembly took plan for the entire system was to construct 5,000 action on die critical problems of food and agriculture kilometres, carried out for die most part by national in Africa, calling on the international community public works departments. Under the project for to support African countries in their efforts to in• the ecological rehabilitation of the Fouta-Djallon crease food production. massif in Guinea, die watershed area for the main The UNEP Governing Council, after reviewing rivers of West Africa, a plan was drawn up for socio• the implementation of the 1977 Plan of Action to economic and hydrological studies to be carried out Combat Desertification/17' adopted on 28 May a in 1985 by consultants. As part of an ongoing pro• decision^18) noting diat desertification had continued gramme for developing and producing fuel-efficient to spread in developing countries, particularly in cooking stoves to reduce demand for ligneous Africa, and proposing measures to ameliorate the materials for domestic energy, national stoves projects problem. It endorsed the UNEP Executive Direc• were begun in Burkina Faso and the Gambia. The tor's view that implementation should focus on die Institute of die Sahel, a specialized agency of CILSS, most affected countries, with priority to areas offering continued to benefit from UNSO assistance in car• the best chances for rehabilitation. The Council rying out some of its activities, including training decided mat a further overall assessment of progress in management and conservation of pasture lands. in implementation of the Plan of Action should be 21 carried out in 1992. According to the UNDP Administrator/ ) UNSO In resolution 39/208, the Assembly took note of had since its inception, together with UNDP and the UNEP Governing Council's decision and called UNEP, supported wide-ranging desertification con• for its implementation. By resolution 39/168 A, the trol programmes such as those currendy under way Assembly endorsed UNEP's decision on a 1992 as• in 21 affected countries in East and West Africa (two sessment of progress. more man in 1983), including die Sudano-Sahelian countries, dirough measures such as stabilizing and fixing sand dunes. Sudano-Sahelian region 22 UNSO, under the authority and supervision of The Administrator also reported in April 1984* ) UNDP, continued in 1984 to carry out its mandate on ways of financing, beyond the 1984-1985 bien- in support of drought-related medium- and long- nium, die UNDP/UNEP joint venture which assisted term recovery and rehabilitation programmes in in carrying out UNSO's desertification control man• the eight countries of the Sudano-Sahelian region date. UNSO's administrative and programme ex• which were members of CILSS, assisting diose coun• penditures were financed entirely from extrabudge- tries in dealing with the impact of drought, which tary sources, and the contributions of UNDP and began in 1968 and created a severe emergency in UNEP to the joint venture constituted only a part 1984. The activities carried out in 1983 with UNSO of UNSO's operating costs. Those contributions were financing were described by the Secretary-General used mainly as "seed" money for project identifi• in an April 1984 report, with a later addendum/19) cation, formulation and development, and resource and updated through 1984 in a 1985 report/20' In mobilization. The Administrator concluded that addition, UNSO, which co-operated closely with most of the financial sources within UNDP, UNEP CILSS, continued its programme to combat deser• and the United Nations did not present means of tification (see Chapter XVI of this section). financing die venture beyond 1985. He believed diat the current ways of financing it should be In 1984, project commitments to the United maintained—by the UNDP administrative budget, Nations Trust Fund for Sudano-Sahelian Activi• the African and the Arab States' regional indica• ties (see p. 512) in the form of cost-sharing and tive planning figures, and the UNEP Fund for the specific trust funds for drought-related recovery and Environment. rehabilitation projects of the CILSS Governments amounted to over $7.5 million. In addition, UNSO In addition to desertification-control projects, mobilized almost $6 million for desertification-control UNSO-supported national projects included: projects in the CILSS countries, making a total of livestock management in Burkina Faso; rehabili• about $13.5 million. tation of an airport, exploration and utilization of

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water resources, soil and water conservation, and to preferences and the transfer of technology, trade a desalination and power plant in Cape Verde; a facilitation, shipping and debt management. On campaign against rinderpest, re-establishment of 21 September/27' the Trade and Development a tree nursery, and training in agriculture and Board transmitted the secretariat's note to the livestock projects in Chad; well maintenance, ground• General Assembly, invited the Assembly to con• water and natural resource management, and bush- sider intensifying United Nations activities on behalf fire control in the Gambia; a tree plantation, agro- of the region, through UNSO, and to entrust UNC• sylvo-pastoral development of die Niger River flood TAD to carry out a study, in co-operation with UNSO plain, and installation of hand pumps on existing and other bodies concerned, on the impact of the boreholes in Mali; agricultural statistics, training drought on the foreign trade of the CILSS member in forestry, development of deep-bore wells, and dam States as well as on the role of foreign trade for the construction in Mauritania; establishment of green development of those countries. The UNCTAD belts around towns, manufacture of agricultural tools Secretary-General was invited to intensify the tech• and equipment, gum arabic production, and plan• nical assistance activities for the countries in the ning for dam construction in the Niger; and programme. reafforestation studies, and development of energy In September/28' die Secretary-General reported sources and energy conservation in Senegal. Road- to the Assembly on non-implementation of recom• construction projects continued in all those coun• mendations made by the Joint Inspection Unit, in• tries except Chad. cluding diose in a 1983 report on UNSO activities/29) UNSO, besides co-operating closely with a num• The recommendation that had not been im• ber of United Nations bodies, also worked with the plemented was the proposal that UNSO should en• West African Economic Community on the joint courage the formulation of a global strategy for com• programming and financing of activities. A joint bating African drought and desertification by programme for food storage, harvesting cereal and co-ordinating the activities of an inter-agency group transport was under way. which would draw up a document for considera• In 1983/23) the General Assembly had invited tion by a regional seminar that it would organize, the Governing Council of UNEP to examine the pos• bringing together national technical services, regional sibility of including Ghana and Togo in the list of organizations, relevant United Nations bodies and countries which received assistance dirough UNSO donors. While UNSO had not established the pro• in implementing in die Sudano-Sahelian region die posed group, it had helped organize national and 1977 Plan of Action to Combat Desertification/17' regional seminars and workshops on desertification, The UNEP Council on 28 May 1984,(18) supported assisted CILSS in preparing an inventory of priority by the UNDP Governing Council on 29 June/24) needs, and contributed to the funding of and par• decided that those countries would be included. ticipated in the July 1984 Ministerial Conference convened by Senegal (see p. 508). The UNDP Council, in a 29 June decision^25) on implementation of the recovery and rehabilitation programme in the Sudano-Sahelian region, took GENERAL ASSEMBLY ACTION note of the Secretary-General's report on the sub• 19 On 17 December, the General Assembly adopted ject/ ' and commended the Administrator for his without vote resolution 39/206, as recommended priority attention to the needs of the region's drought- by the Second Committee. affected countries and for the results achieved by UNSO. It appealed for increased support for UNSO Implementation of the medium-term and and requested UNSO to continue to co-operate with long-term recovery and rehabilitation CILSS. programme in the Sudano-Sahelian region The General Assembly, The Economic and Social Council, by decision Recalling its resolutions 3054(XXVIII) of 17 October 1984/175, also took note of the Secretary-General's 1973, 3253(XXIX) of 4 December 1974, 3512(XXX) of report and transmitted it to the General Assembly. 15 December 1975, 31/180 of 21 December 1976, 32/159 UNCTAD also contributed to die implementation of 19 December 1977, 33/133 of 19 December 1978, 34/16 of the region's recovery and rehabilitation pro• of 9 November 1979, 35/86 of 5 December 1980, 36/203 gramme, as its secretariat reported in June, of 17 December 1981, 37/165 of 17 December 1982 and part of its mandate to assist LDCs and land-locked 38/225 of 20 December 1983, and island developing countries, UNCTAD provided Taking note of decision 84/28 of 29 June 1984 of the assistance to Burkina Faso, Cape Verde, the Cen• Governing Council of the United Nations Development tral African Republic, Chad, the Gambia, Mali, Programme concerning the implementation of the medium-term and long-term recovery and rehabilitation the Niger and Senegal. Such support was provided programme in the Sudano-Sahelian region, for projects in the areas of trade analysis, advisory Deeply concerned by the tragic consequences of a disas• services for trade policy, price controls and tariffs, trous and persistent drought involving a substantial trade statistics, transit transport for land-locked coun• decrease in food and agricultural production in the Sudano- tries, road construction, training activities related Sahelian countries,

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Noting with satisfaction the efforts made by the United (e) Strengthening of national and subregional capacity Nations Sudano-Sahelian Office in helping to combat for planning, management and evaluation of integrated the effects of drought and to implement the medium- development activities; term and long-term recovery and rehabilitation pro• 5. Requests all Governments and all organs, organi• gramme adopted by the States members of the Perma• zations and programmes of the United Nations system nent Inter-State Committee on Drought Control in to give special attention to the increasingly critical food the Sahel, as well as in mobilizing the necessary situation in the countries of the Sahel; resources for financing priority projects, 6. Welcomes the results achieved by the Administra• Abo noting with satisfaction the collaboration between tor of the United Nations Development Programme, the Permanent Inter-State Committee on Drought through the United Nations Sudano-Sahelian Office, in Control in the Sahel and the Club du Sahel and urg• assisting the States members of the Permanent Inter-State ing that this collaboration be continued and Committee on Drought Control in the Sahel to imple• strengthened, ment their medium-term and long-term recovery and Welcoming the inclusion in the agenda of its thirty- rehabilitation programme; ninth session of the items entitled "Countries stricken 7. Reaffirms the role of the United Nations Sudano- by desertification and drought" and "Critical eco• Sahelian Office in co-ordinating United Nations efforts nomic situation in Africa", to help the countries of the Sahel to implement their recov• Bearing in mind the statements made by many dele• ery and rehabilitation programme; gations during the current session of the General As• 8. Invites the United Nations Sudano-Sahelian Office sembly in which they emphasized the continuing and to continue to strengthen its co-operation with the States increasing seriousness of the drought and desertifica• members of the Permanent Inter-State Committee on tion in the Sudano-Sahelian countries and in other Drought Control in the Sahel and with the Committee regions of Africa and their devastating impact on the itself, with a view to expediting implementation of the economic and social situation, medium-term and long-term recovery and rehabilitation Considering that, owing to the nature and magnitude programme in the Sudano-Sahelian region, and in par• of the needs of the States members of the Permanent ticular to help those countries to formulate and imple• Inter-State Committee on Drought Control in the ment national medium-term and long-term plans to com• Sahel, the solidarity action taken by the international bat desertification and drought, with a view to achieving community to support the recovery and economic de• food self-sufficiency; velopment efforts of those countries should be con• 9. Requests the Secretary-General to continue to report tinued and intensified, to the General Assembly, tibrough the Governing Council Having considered the report of the Secretary-General of the United Nations Development Programme and the on the implementation of the medium-term and long- Economic and Social Council, on the implementation term recovery and rehabilitation programme in the of the medium-term and long-term recovery and rehabili• Sudano-Sahelian region, tation programme in the Sudano-Sahelian region. 1. Takes note of the report of the Secretary-General; 2. Expresses its gratitude to the Governments, United General Assembly resolution 39/206 Nations bodies, intergovernmental and non• 17 December 1984 Meeting 103 Adopted without vote governmental organizations and individuals that have Approved by Second Committee (A/39/793) without vote, 30 November (meeting contributed to the implementation of the medium- 54); 19-nation draft (A/C.2/39/L.47), orally revised following informal consulta• term and long-term recovery and rehabilitation pro• tions; agenda item 83 lei gramme in the Sudano-Sahelian region; Sponsors: Algeria, Benin, Burkina Faso, Cape Wrde, Chad, Comoros, Egypt, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Paki• 3. Requests all Governments to increase the resources stan, Senegal, Toga of the United Nations Sudano-Sahelian Office by mak• Meeting numbers. GA 39th session: 2nd Committee 32-37, 45, 54; plenary 103. ing voluntary contributions on the occasion of the United Nations Pledging Conference for Development Following informal consultations, the Secretary Activities, as well as through other, in particular of the Second Committee announced that it had bilateral, channels so as to enable it to respond more been agreed to add the fifth preambular paragraph. fully to the priority requirements of the Governments It was also agreed to add the phrase at the end of of States members of the Permanent Inter-State Com• paragraph 8 inviting help in particular for formulat• mittee on Drought Control in the Sahel; ing and implementing national plans with a view 4. Requests the international community to support the implementation of the Second-Generation Pro• to CILSS members' achieving food self-sufficiency. gramme of the States members of the Inter-State Com• In resolution 39/208, the Assembly requested the mittee on Drought Control in the Sahel, inter alia, by UNDP Administrator to have UNSO establish bien• providing more assistance in all its forms for carrying nial programmes for die implementation of die Plan out the following activities: of Action to Combat Desertification, with the re• (a) Development projects already formulated and quirement Uiat those programmes be submitted for approved by the Governments; approval by the Administrator and the UNEP Ex• (b) Regional projects to combat desertification; ecutive Director, and emphasized the need for in• (c) Surveys needed for establishing development creased financial support by die international com• potentials at national and regional levels; munity for UNSO and UNEP activities. (d) Strengthening and/or establishing national and subregional research and training institutes designed to In resolution 39/168 A, the Assembly took meas• find solutions to the problems confronting the Sahelian ures to improve implementation of die Plan of Action countries; and called for increased support for UNSO.

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UN Trust Fund for Sudano-Sahelian Activities Governments and to resolve urgent problems ex• Expenditures from the United Nations Trust Fund peditiously, he appointed Adebayo Adedeji, Executive for Sudano-Sahelian Activities totalled $14,147,000 Secretary of ECA, as his Special Representative on in 1984. Seven Governments paid a total of $571,011 the African crisis. In addition, a temporary office to the Fund during the year (see tables below). was set up in Nairobi to provide the Special Rep• resentative with the necessary support. PROGRAMME EXPENDITURES UNDER THE UN TRUST FUND Plans for establishing the intergovernmental body FOR SUDANO-SAHELIAN ACTIVITIES, 1984 were discussed at a meeting of die Foreign Ministers las at 31 December 1984; In thousands of US dollars) of die six countries in New \brk on 4 October 1984. Country/Region AmountAmount Sudan informed the Secretary-General on 8 Oc• 32 Benin 887 tober* ) of die results of mat meeting; die Ministers Burkina Faso 63633 had affirmed their decision to meet on 15 January Cape Verde 1,871,871 Chad 667 1985 in Djibouti to finalize the necessary ar• Djibouti 11117 rangements. Ethiopia 45454 Gambia 1,071,079 Djibouti, Ediiopia and Somalia, in notes verbales Guinea 228 to die President of die Economic and Social Council, Guinea-Bissau 6 Mali 19195 requested him to include in the agenda of the first Mauritania 1,411,411 regular 1984 session of die Council an item on emer• Niger 3,497 gency assistance to victims of the drought in their Senegal 3,423 Somalia 25251 countries. Sudan 29299 On 24 April/33' Ediiopia said diat its emergency Subtotal 13,418 situation had affected die entire country. Hundreds Regional Africa 72729 of thousands of people had been forced to flee to Total 14,147 relief camps and cities in search of food; 5.2 mil• lion people were in a virtually helpless situation. SOURCE: Dfin985/5ttdd.6Dm985/5Add.6. The available food supply was barely sufficient for two months, even at a rate significantly below the CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE UN TRUST FUND FOR SUDANO-SAHELIAN ACTIVITIES, 1984 AND 1986 starvation ration (400 grams). Starvation currently las at 31 December 1984; in US dollar equivalent) afflicted about 20 per cent of the Ethiopian popu•

1934 1984 pledge lation. Country payment for 1985 Djibouti informed the President on 10 May(34) Algeria 20,000 20,000 of its emergency situation that had arisen because Cameroon 8,929 18,085 of the two-year drought, affecting 80,000 people. Chile — 5.000 Denmark 208,333 _ The situation had led to food shortages, endemic Finland — 94,488 diseases and increased malnutrition, particularly Greece — 20,000 Italy 315,789 526,316 among children. The nomadic people had lost 70 Mali — 500 per cent of their livestock, which constituted their Philippines 5.000 500 means of living. Despite the Government's emer• Portugal 10,000 10,000 Senegal — 10,000 gency measures, Djibouti lacked adequate food, med• Sudan — 3,000 ical and logistic resources to meet die growing needs. Sweden — 2,285,714 35 Yugoslavia 2,960 3,886 On 11 May/ ) Somalia said that, as a result of Total 571,011 2,997,489 adverse climatic conditions, it was experiencing seri• ous deficiencies in food needed to sustain die massive SOURCE: A/40/5Add.1 & Add.1/Corr.1. refugee population which Somalia had taken in. In addition to the drought, other factors over which East Africa Somalia had no control had aggravated the situa• In October 1984, the Secretary-General issued tion. For the previous two years, Somalis in cer• a note(30) on assistance to drought-stricken areas tain parts of the country had received much less in East Africa—Djibouti, Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, food than the agreed minimum. die Sudan and Uganda—as requested by die General On 14 February, after a Government-requested 31 Assembly in December 1983. ( > During 1983 and mission had visited Somalia from 6 to 13 Febru• 1984, most parts of die East African countries again ary, UNDRO launched an appeal requesting relief experienced severe drought. While arrangements assistance for die affected areas in north-west Somalia had not been finalized between the Governments until the rainy season of April 1984. Similarly, concerned for an intergovernmental body to com• UNDRO launched an appeal on 3 April to deal witii bat the effects of drought, as proposed by the As• the drought emergency in Ethiopia, immediately sembly, the Secretary-General had taken measures after die Government alerted die international donor to increase die effectiveness of existing channels in community to the rapidly deteriorating situation. dealing wim die situation, lb facilitate contacts widi UNDRO representatives, permanendy in the coun-

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try since August 1983, continued to assess needs 4. Appeals to Governments of Member States, or• and transmit data to possible donors. In Novem• gans and organizations of the United Nations system, ber, the Secretary-General appointed Kurt Jans- governmental and non-governmental organizations and son as Assistant Secretary-General for Emergency all voluntary agencies to intensify and increase urgendy their assistance to the Government of Ethiopia for emer• Operations in Ethiopia. UNDRO implemented gency relief and rehabilitation for the victims of the and/or financed a number of relief programmes drought, as well as for the recovery of the drought- with cash contributions totalling $3.5 million for affected areas of Ethiopia; internal transport and distribution of relief sup• 5. Decides to keep the matter under review. plies, bagging of food for air-dropping, and procurement of fuel, spare parts and equipment, seeds and blankets. The drought situation in the Economic and Social Council resolution 1984/5 Sudan, aggravated by a renewed influx of people, 17 May 1984 Meeting 15 Adopted without vote was taken under review by UNDRO in October. 19 nation draft IE/1984/L24); agenda item 1. Sponsors: Algeria, Cuba, Cyprus, Djibouti, Egypt, Ethiopia, Gambia, India, Lesotho, Liberia, Madagascar, Pakistan, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, Tunisia, Uganda, Viet Nam, Yugoslavia, Zimbabwe. ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COUNCIL ACTION Meeting numbers. ESC 5, 11, 15. The Economic and Social Council on 17 May Emergency assistance to the drought victims 1984 adopted without vote resolutions 1984/5, in Djibouti 1984/6 and 1984/7 on emergency assistance to The Economic and Social Council, Ethiopia, Djibouti and Somalia, respectively. Having heard the statement made by the representa• Emergency assistance to the drought victims tive of Djibouti on the distressing situation of the vic• in Ethiopia tims of the prolonged drought in that country, The Economic and Social Council, Deeply concerned at the distressing emergency situation Having heard the statement made by the Commissioner of the victims of the drought in Djibouti, for Relief and Rehabilitation of Ethiopia concerning the Aware of the adverse effects of the prolonged drought critical food situation in the drought-affected regions of on the economic and social development of Djibouti, Ethiopia, Aware also of the regional character of the drought cur• Deeply disturbed at the gravity of the food situation and rently prevailing in the countries of East Africa, the prospect of mass starvation as a result of the drought Appreciating the unremitting efforts being made by the that has affected the entire country recently, Government of Djibouti to meet the growing needs of Aware that a lasting solution to the problem of drought the victims of the drought, in spite of the slenderness and environmental degradation can best be reached of its economic resources, through regional and subregional co-operation as envisaged for the East African subregion in General Assembly reso• Recalling the resolutions adopted by the General As• lution 35/90 of 5 December 1980 and Economic and Social sembly and the Economic and Social Council on as• Council resolution 1983/46 of 28 July 1983, sistance in cases of natural disaster, in particular As• Recognizing, however, that, as a result of the un• sembly resolutions 2816(XXVI) of 14 December 1971 precedented drought affecting the entire country, an and 2959(XXVII) of 12 December 1972, emergency situation has arisen which requires prompt 1. Takes note of the statement made by the represen• attention, tative of Djibouti on the critical situation of the victims Noting with appreciation the continued efforts made by of the drought in that country; the Office of the United Nations Disaster Relief Co• 2. Appreciates the assistance provided to date by ordinator, the United Nations Development Pro• Member States, United Nations organizations and in• gramme, the United Nations Children's Fund, the Food tergovernmental and non-governmental organizations and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, to the relief programme for the victims of drought in the World Food Programme and other organs and or• Djibouti; ganizations of the United Nations system, as well as the 3. Appeals to Member States, international, govern• invaluable support of non-governmental organizations, mental and non-governmental organizations and the Noting further that, despite the generous assistance specialized agencies to contribute generously to help the offered to the Government of Ethiopia by Member populations affected by drought in Djibouti by provid• States, organs and organizations of the United Nations ing, as a matter of urgency, financial, material and tech• system and voluntary agencies, enormous difficulties of nical assistance; relief and rehabilitation still persist, 4. Requests the Secretary-General to send to Djibouti, 1. Takes note of the statement made by the Commis• as a matter of urgency, after consultation with the sioner for Relief and Rehabilitation of Ethiopia on the Government of Djibouti, an inter-agency mission with extremely critical food situation in the drought-affected the task, in particular, of making a study of the situa• regions of Ethiopia; tion in the drought-stricken areas of the country and 2. Expresses its concern at the difficulties that confrontevaluatin g the short-term, medium-term and long-term the Government of Ethiopia as a result of the un• needs of the Government in the face of that situation, precedented drought; and to report to the General Assembly at its mirty-ninth 3. Notes with appreciation the response made thus far session, through the Economic and Social Council at by the international community, organs and organiza• its second regular session of 1984, on the results of that tions of the United Nations system and voluntary agen• mission and on the progress achieved in the implemen• cies to assist the victims of the drought in Ethiopia; tation of the present resolution.

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Economic and Social Council resolution 1984/6 Assistance to the drought-stricken areas of Djibouti, 17 May 1984 Meeting 15 Adopted without vote Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, the Sudan and Uganda 41-nation draft (E/1984/L.25); agenda item 1. The General Assembly, Sponsors: Algeria, Austria, Bangladesh, Benin, Botswana, China, Cuba, Cyprus, Recalling its resolutions 35/90 and 35/91 of 5 Decem• Djibouti, Egypt, Ethiopia, France, Gambia, Greece, India, Italy, Japan, Kenya, ber 1980, 36/221 of 17 December 1981, 37/147 of 17 De• Lebanon, Liberia, Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Mexico, Morocco, Pakistan, cember 1982 and 38/216 of 20 December 1983 and Eco• Qatar, Rwanda, Saint Lucia, Saudi Arabia, Sierra Leone, Somalia, Sri Lanka, Swaziland, Syrian Arab Republic, Thailand, Tunisia, Uganda, Yugoslavia, nomic and Social Council resolution 1983/46 of 28 July Zaire, Zambia. 1983 on assistance to the drought-stricken areas of Meeting numbers. ESC 11, 15. Djibouti, Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, the Sudan and Uganda, Emergency assistance to the drought victims Having considered the note by the Secretary-General on in Somalia assistance to the drought-stricken areas of those The Economic and Social Council, countries, Having heard the statement made by the representa• Alarmed by the catastrophic effects of the prolonged tive of Somalia on the critical need for emergency as• and persistent drought that poses an imminent threat sistance to the drought victims in Somalia, to human survival and the development prospects of the Recognizing the alarming situation which is develop• affected countries of the region, ing in Somalia as a result of successive failures of Deeply disturbed by the grave food situation and the seasonal rains in several regions of the country, spectre of widespread famine in the drought-stricken Cognizant of the emergency situation which, as a areas of the region, consequence, has overtaken the entire country, posing Taking into account the regional nature of the drought the severe threat of mass starvation to both people and and the practical and regional arrangements for co• livestock, operation that already exist among the affected Appreciating the ongoing response of the Office of the countries, United Nations Disaster Relief Co-ordinator, the Bearing in mind the urgent need for the international United Nations Development Programme, the United community to render assistance to Member States in Nations Children's Fund, the Food and Agriculture the event of natural disasters, Organization of the United Nations, the World Food 1. Reaffirms its resolutions 35/90, 35/91, 36/221, Programme and international voluntary agencies, and 37/147 and 38/216 on assistance to the drought-stricken the vital bilateral contributions of friendly States, areas of Djibouti, Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, the Sudan Concerned, nevertheless, that despite those responses and Uganda; the serious food crisis in Somalia continues to escalate, 2. Takes note of the note of the Secretary-General on 1. Takes note of the statement made by the represen• assistance to the drought-stricken areas of those tative of Somalia; countries; 2. Notes with appreciation the response of the 3. Notes with satisfaction the decision taken by the Government and people of Somalia and the favourable Governments of Djibouti, Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, the reaction to date of the international community, the Sudan and Uganda to establish an intergovernmental United Nations and voluntary agencies to the crisis body to combat the effects of drought and other natural caused by the drought; disasters, as recommended by the General Assembly in 3. Appeals to the Governments of Member States, resolution 35/90 and to meet in Djibouti on 15 January United Nations organizations and voluntary agencies 1985 to finalize the necessary arrangements for the es• urgently to increase their assistance to the Govern• tablishment of that body; ment of Somalia so that all victims of the drought cur• 4. Notes with appreciation the assistance thus far ren• rently afflicting Somalia may receive the necessary dered by the international community and the meas• aid, with a minimum of delay; ures taken by the Secretary-General, in co-operation 4. Decides to keep the situation in Somalia under with the specialized agencies and other organizations review. of the United Nations system, to ensure the speediest and most effective relief aid for the victims of drought and other natural disasters in Djibouti, Ethiopia, Kenya, Economic and Social Council resolution 1984/7 Somalia, the Sudan and Uganda; 17 May 1984 Meeting 15 Adopted without vote 5. Urges all States, organizations of the United 28-nation draft (E/1984/L26); agenda item 1. Nations system, governmental and non-governmental Sponsors: Algeria, Bangladesh, China, Cyprus, Djibouti, Egypt, Gambia, Greece, organizations and international financial institutions India, Italy, Japan, Lebanon, Madagascar, Morocco, Pakistan, Qatar, Saint Lucia, Saudi Arabia, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Somalia, Suriname, Swaziland, concerned, to give urgent consideration to the establish• Thailand, Tunisia, Yugoslavia, Zaire, Zambia. ment of a programme of assistance for the six countries Meeting numbers. ESC 14, 15. in the East African subregion, supporting their efforts: (a) To meet the grave and urgent needs of the peo• GENERAL ASSEMBLY ACTION ple of those countries; On 17 December, the General Assembly (b) To combat the effects of drought and other adopted resolution 39/205, on assistance to the natural calamities and to deal with the problem of medium-term and long-term recovery and rehabilita• drought-stricken areas of six East African coun• tion in a concerted manner; tries, and resolution 39/201, on assistance to the 6. Invites the Secretary-General, in close co-operation drought-stricken areas of Ethiopia. Both texts with the Administrator of the United Nations Develop• were recommended by the Second Committee ment Programme, and within existing resources, to ex• and adopted by the Assembly without vote. tend to Djibouti, Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, the Sudan

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and Uganda the technical assistance needed to finalize that have provided emergency humanitarian assistance the necessary arrangements for the establishment of the to Ethiopia; proposed intergovernmental body; 3. Urges all Member States, organs and organizations 7. Requests the Secretary-General, in close co-operation of the United Nations system, specialized agencies and with the Administrator of the United Nations Develop• non-governmental organizations to assist the Government ment Programme and the appropriate specialized agencies of Ethiopia in its efforts to provide for the emergency and other organizations of the United Nations system, needs of the drought victims and to deal with the problem to continue to extend all necessary assistance to those of medium-term and long-term recovery and rehabilitation; countries in their efforts to combat the effects of drought 4. Requests the Secretary-General to continue his efforts: on the basis of the recommendations of various multi- (a) To mobilize resources for relief and rehabilita• agency missions; tion, including assistance for the victims of drought who 8. Also requests the Secretary-General, in close co• wish to resettle in areas less prone to drought; operation with the Administrator of the United Nations (b) To apprise the Economic and Social Council, at Development Programme and the appropriate special• its first regular session of 1985, of the situation of the ized agencies and other organizations of the United Nations drought victims and the response of the international com• system, to assist the Governments of the region, at their munity to their plight. request, in establishing or improving national machinery to combat the effects of drought and other natural dis• General Assembly resolution 39/201 asters, to apprise the Economic and Social Council, at 17 December 1984 Meeting 103 Adopted without vote its second regular session of 1985, of the progress made Approved by Second Committee (A/39/793) without vote, 30 November (meeting in the implementation of the present resolution and to 54); 93-nation draft (A/C2/39/L.68/Rev.1); agenda item 83 lb). report thereon to the General Assembly at its fortieth Sponsors: Afghanistan, Algeria, Angola, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Bahamas, session. Bangladesh, Belgium, Benin, Botswana, Brazil, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Canada, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, Chile, China, Colombia, Comoros, Congo, Costa Rica, Cuba, Cyprus, Czechoslovakia, Demo• cratic Yemen, Denmark, Djibouti, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt Equatorial General Assembly resolution 39/205 Guinea, Ethiopia, France, Gambia, German Democratic Republic, Ghana, Guinea, 17 December 1984 Meeting 103 Adopted without vote Guinea-Bissau, Haiti, Hungary, India, Ireland, Italy, Ivory Coast, Jamaica, Japan, Kenya, Lao People's Democratic Republic, Lebanon, Lesotho, Liberia, Madagas• Approved by Second Committee (A/39/793) without vote, 30 November (meeting car, Malawi, Mali, Mauritania, Mexico, Mongolia, Morocco, Mozambique, Nepal, 54); 11-nation draft (A/C.2/39/L.73), orally revised, following informal consulta• Nicaragua, Nigeria, Norway, Pakistan, Peru, Romania, Rwanda, Sao Tome and tions; agenda item 83 lb). Principe, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Swaziland, Sweden, Sponsors: Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Djibouti, Ethiopia, Gambia, Ghana, Kenya, Pakistan, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Uganda, United Republic of Tanzania, Uruguay, Somalia, Sudan, Uganda. Vanuatu, Venezuela, Viet Nam, Yemen, Yugoslavia, Zaire, Zambia, Zimbabwe. Meeting numbers. GA 39th session: 2nd Committee 32-37,47, 54; plenary 103. Meeting numbers. GA 39th session: 2nd Committee 32-37,50,54,55; plenary 103.

The last preambular paragraph was orally re• Floods and storms vised, as agreed following informal consultations, so as to refer to the urgent, rather than impera• Floods in Bolivia, Ecuador and Peru tive, need for assistance. In February 1984/36) UNDRO reported on emer• gency assistance provided to Bolivia, Ecuador and Assistance to the drought-stricken areas of Ethiopia Peru, which had been struck by heavy flooding in The General Assembly, late 1982 and 1983 as a result of a widespread cli• Recalling Economic and Social Council resolution 1984/5 matic change associated with disturbances in the of 17 May 1984 on emergency assistance to the drought ocean current known as "El Nino".(37) According victims in Ethiopia, to UNDRO, as at 31 January 1984, die international Noting with appreciation the appeals made by the Presi• community had contributed more than $87 mil• dent of the General Assembly and the Secretary-General for emergency assistance to Ethiopia, lion following die Secretary-General's appeal on 10 August 1983 for assistance to those countries. Having heard the statement made by the Commissioner 38 for Relief and Rehabilitation of Ethiopia on 2 Novem• In his September 1984 report^ ' on special eco• ber 1984 concerning the critical food situation and the nomic and disaster relief assistance to 10 countries sad state of affairs that prevails in the disaster-stricken (see p. 464), the Secretary-General described the areas of Ethiopia, nature and extent of damage resulting from the flood• Alarmed by the catastrophic effects of the serious and ing in the three countries, as reported by a 1983 persistent drought that poses imminent danger to the sur• inter-agency mission sent there/39) and on drought vival of millions of drought victims, in the Bolivian-Peruvian plateau. Losses to Bolivia Deeply disturbed by the grave food situation and the were estimated at $836.5 million. The mission, in widespread and deadly famine diat prevails in the disaster- consultation with the Government, identified projects stricken areas, amounting to $129.4 million for which external fund• Convinced that long-term solutions are imperative in ing was sought. As of June 1984, approximately order to avoid the recurrence of a tragic human drama such as the one which is currently unfolding in the disaster- $50 million and some equipment had been provided, stricken areas, while a number of projects were under discussion 1. Commends the generous response of the international with bilateral donors. Damages to Ecuador were community to the tragic situation in Ethiopia; estimated at $640.6 million. Of the $97 million sought 2. Expresses its deep gratitude to all States, governmenfo• r recommended projects, $33.35 million was tal and non-governmental organizations and individuals received as of 1 July. Peru suffered $2,001.8 mil-

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lion in damage. Projects identified by the mission sion of the international solidarity proclaimed in die Char• for international funding amounted to $180.8 million, ter of the United Nations, of which $68.6 million was donated. Noting me efforts made by die Government of Madagas• The Secretary-General, in his annual report on car to relieve die suffering of the victims of the cyclones 1 and floods, UNDRO issued in June/ ) stated that the interna• Noting with satisfaction the emergency assistance provided tional response to UNDRO's appeal for aid for by a number of States, international and regional organi• Bolivia had resulted in assistance valued at $2 million. zations, specialized agencies and voluntary agencies, He noted in his September report on assistance 10 1. Expresses its profound sympathy with die people and provided by the United Nations system' ) that Government of Madagascar for the loss of life and the UNDRO had dispatched a field delegate to Bolivia serious damage which the recent cyclones and floods from October 1983 to April 1984 to assist the resi• have inflicted on the economy of the country; dent co-ordinator and the national body respon• 1. Urges all States to participate or to continue to sible for the distribution of emergency relief. participate in relief operations and in the implementa• tion of programmes for the rehabilitation and recon• By decision 39/431, the General Assembly took struction of die areas affected by the cyclones and floods; note of the summary reports of the Secretary-General 38 3. Requests international and regional organizations, on Bolivia, Ecuador and Peru/ ' specialized agencies and voluntary agencies, particularly those most directly concerned, to lend their support, Cyclones and floods in Madagascar within the framework of their respective programmes, to the efforts of the Secretary-General and the United Madagascar, by a letter of 20 April to the 40 Nations Disaster Relief Co-ordinator to mobilize relief Secretary-General/ ) requested that the Economic and assistance, and also to consider urgendy the requests and Social Council include in the agenda of its first for assistance made by the Government of Madagascar regular 1984 session an item on measures to be taken during the phase of rehabilitation and reconstruction; following the cyclones and floods in Madagascar 4. Expresses the hope that the United Nations Develop• (1983-1984). It explained that between December ment Programme, the World Bank and all other inter• 1983 and April 1984, Madagascar had been hit by national and regional financial institutions concerned four cyclones. The most destructive one, in April, will give sympathetic and urgent consideration to re• killed at least 68 people. In the stricken areas, there quests for assistance which die Government of Madagas• was an urgent need for food, medical care, shelter car may submit under its rehabilitation, reconstruction and clodiing. Damage was estimated to exceed $600 and development programmes and with a view to im• proving the existing disaster warning and protection million. Reconstruction was needed for port and systems; airport facilities, roads, bridges and dikes. Damage 5. Requests the Secretary-General: to merchant and fishing vessels, plants, irrigation (a) To send an inter-agency mission to Madagascar channels, crops and livestock was extensive. with a view to evaluating the damage, the priority needs of the country following the cyclones and floods and the ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COUNCIL ACTION medium-term and long-term impact of those disasters on the national economy, and to compiling the data rele• On 11 May, the Economic and Social Council vant to the promotion of concerted international as• adopted resolution 1984/3 by consensus. sistance; Measures to be taken following the cyclones (b) To transmit the report of the mission to the in• and floods in Madagascar ternational community; The Economic and Social Council, (c) To take the necessary action to help the Govern• ment prepare a reconstruction and recovery programme Having heard the statements made by the observer for for the regions and sectors affected; Madagascar and the representative of the Office of the United Nations Disaster Relief Co-ordinator concern• 6. Further requests the Secretary-General to apprise ing the four tropical cyclones and the floods which se• the Economic and Social Council at its second regular verely affected all parts of Madagascar in December 1983 session of 1984 and to report to the General Assembly and January and April 1984, at its thirty-ninth session on the implementation of the present resolution. Recognizing that these climatic phenomena have resulted in loss of life and the destruction of several towns and have inflicted serious damage on the economic and so• Economic and Social Council resolution 1984/3 cial infrastructures and on the agricultural, stock-farming 11 May 1984 Meeting 11 Adopted by consensus and agro-industrial sectors, 30-nation draft (E/1984/L.21I, orally revised; agenda item 1. Taking into account the fact that those sectors are of fun• Sponsors: Algeria, Argentine, Bangladesh, Benin, Botswana, Colombia, Congo, Cuba, Cyprus, Djibouti, Ecuador, Ethiopia, France, Liberie, Malawi, Mali, Mex• damental importance to the economy of the country, ico, Nigeria, Pakistan, Romania, Rwanda, Saint Lucia, Sierra Leone, Somalia, Recalling the resolutions of the General Assembly and Suriname, Swaziland, Tunisia, Uganda, Viet Nam, Zaire. the Economic and Social Council on assistance in cases Meeting numbers. ESC 5, 11. of natural disaster, in which appeals have been made to the international community to give special attention to Report of the inter-agency mission. As re• these phenomena, quested by the Council in resolution 1984/3, the Taking into account the fact that the provision of assistanceSecretary-Genera l sent an inter-agency mission to to countries stricken by natural disasters is an expres• Madagascar from 24 May to 5 June. Its report was

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transmitted to the General Assembly in August.^41) Recognizing that these climatic phenomena have An oral report had been made to the Council at resulted in loss of life and the destruction of several towns its second regular session of 1984. and have inflicted serious damage on the economic and The report surveyed the general economic situ• social infrastructures and on the agricultural, stock- farming, transport and industrial sectors, ation of the country, which suffered problems of Concerned by the fact that the damage caused by these many other developing countries—the effects of the natural disasters is hampering the development efforts international economic recession, whether in terms of Madagascar, of decreased demand for exports, fluctuations in Taking note of the report of the Secretary-General on the prices of raw materials, deteriorating terms of assistance to Madagascar, prepared pursuant to Eco• trade, exchange rate fluctuations or increases in in• nomic and Social Council resolution 1984/3, terest rates. Agriculture constituted the backbone Having considered the special economic assistance pro• of the economy, contributing close to 40 per cent gramme prepared by the inter-agency mission which of GNP and over 80 per cent of export earnings. In visited Madagascar from 24 May to 5 June 1984, recent years, agricultural production had been stag• Noting the efforts of the people and Government of nant, due in large part to the inadequate transpor• Madagascar to deal with the emergency situation and tation system. The Government drew up measures to initiate a reconstruction and rehabilitation pro• in 1983 for short-term economic recovery, as well gramme, as a long-term development strategy, complementing Noting also the emergency assistance provided by the main targets of its second national development several States, international and regional organizations, plan, 1982-1987, aimed at achieving self-sufficiency specialized agencies and voluntary agencies, in foodstuffs and energy, increasing exports, promot• Affirming the need for prompt and concerted inter• ing industrial development, and improving train• national action to assist the people and Government of ing and health. The Government's plans included Madagascar in carrying out the reconstruction and re• such steps as ensuring adequate price incentives habilitation of the stricken regions and sectors, in the agricultural sector, improving irrigation and 1. Expresses its gratitude to the States, programmes and transport systems, diversifying crops, supporting organizations of the United Nations system and inter• governmental, non-governmental and voluntary organi• private enterprises, facilitating the growth of the zations which provided assistance to Madagascar dur• private sector and reducing public expenditures. ing the emergency; Damage caused by the cyclones of late 1983 and 2. Urges all States to participate generously through early 1984 was estimated at $36.12 million to agricul• bilateral or multilateral channels in projects and ture and at $4.9 million to related infrastructure programmes for the reconstruction and rehabilitation (agro-industrial plants, access roads, irrigation sys• of Madagascar; tems). Reconstruction costs for the transport sec• 3. Requests the international and regional organiza• tor were estimated at $13.69 million, and for the tions, the specialized agencies and voluntary agencies to continue and increase their assistance in response to industrial sector, $11.79 million. Housing and otber the reconstruction, rehabilitation and development needs buildings, and power plants and lines were also of Madagascar; damaged. UNDRO played the leading role in co• 4. Requests the programmes and organizations of the ordinating the responses to Madagascar's appeal. United Nations system, in particular the United Nations The mission outlined a special economic assistance Development Programme, the World Bank, the Food programme to assist Madagascar. Although the main and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, goal of the programme was reconstruction and re• the International Fund for Agricultural Development habilitation, the projects were consistent with the and the United Nations Industrial Development Organi• objectives and strategy of its current national de• zation, and all other international and regional finan• cial institutions concerned, to give sympathetic and ur• velopment plan. Thirty-nine projects were proposed gent consideration to requests for assistance submitted in agriculture, transportation (including roads, ports by the Government of Madagascar under its reconstruc• and airports), industry, public buildings, energy tion, rehabilitation and development programmes; and disaster preparedness, at a total cost of 5. Requests the Secretary-General: $39,181,000. (a) To take the necessary steps, in collaboration with the programmes and organizations of the United GENERAL ASSEMBLY ACTION Nations system, to mobilize the resources needed for On 17 December, the General Assembly, acting implementing the reconstruction, rehabilitation and de• on the recommendation of the Second Commit• velopment programmes of Madagascar; tee, adopted resolution 39/191 without vote. (b) To keep the question of assistance for the recon• struction and rehabilitation of Madagascar under con• Assistance to Madagascar stant review; The General Assembly, 6. Further requests the Secretary-General to apprise Recalling Economic and Social Council resolution 1984/3 the Economic and Social Council, at its second regular of 11 May 1984 on measures to be taken following the session of 1985, of the progress made in the implemen• cyclones and floods in Madagascar in December 1983 tation of the present resolution and to report thereon and January and April 1984, to the General Assembly at its fortieth session.

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General Assembly resolution 39/191 Economic and Social Council decision 1984/106 17 December 1984 Meeting 103 Adopted without vote Adopted without vote Approved by Second Committee (A/39/793) without vote, 30 November (meeting Oral proposal by President; agenda item 2. 54); 65-nation draft (A/C.2/39/L.52); agenda item 83 /*/. Sponsors: Afghanistan, Algeria, Angola, Argentina, Bangladesh, Benin, Botswana, Report of the inter-agency mission. As the Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, Council had requested, the Secretary-General ar• China, Comoros, Congo, Cuba, Cyprus, Democratic Yemen, Djibouti, Domini• can Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, Ethiopia, France, Ghana, ranged for an inter-agency mission, led by the Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Haiti, India, Japan, Lebanon, Lesotho, Liberia, Libyan Under-Secretary-General for Special Political Arab Jamahiriya, Malawi, Mali, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mozambique, Nepal, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Pakistan, Philippines, Romania, Rwanda, Sao Tome Questions, to visit Swaziland from 30 April to 5 and Principe, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Somalia, Sudan, Suriname, Swaziland, May. As the mission's report was not available in Tunisia, Uganda, United Republic of Tanzania, Vanuatu, Viet Nam, Yugoslavia, time for consideration at the Council's first regu• Zaire, Zambia, Zimbabwe. Meeting numbers. GA 39th session: 2nd Committee 32-37, 45, 54; plenary 103. lar 1984 session, as envisaged in decision 1984/106, the Council, on an oral proposal of its President, decided on 1 May, without adopting a formal de• Cyclone in Swaziland cision, to consider the report at its July 1984 ses• In a letter of 9 February to the President of the sion. A preliminary summary report, outlining Economic and Social Council/42' Swaziland said specific requirements as a basis for immediate ac• tion, was submitted by the Secretary-General to it had been hit by a cyclone between 28 and 30 43) January, which caused about 100 deaths and se• the Council on 13 July;( the Council took note vere damage to property. The cyclone "Domoina" of it on 26 July, when it adopted decision 1984/175. and subsequent floods damaged approximately 80 The complete report, describing the economic sit• per cent of the roads and railways. The exact ex• uation, damage, emergency response, and out• tent of the disaster was still unknown, since several standing requirements for assistance, was submit• ted in August to the Council^44) and in October areas were inaccessible. As a land-locked country 45 whose economy was almost totally export-oriented, to the General Assembly/ ) the lines of communication to seaports were es• The mission noted that Swaziland had a per sential, and for that reason Swaziland appealed capita income of approximately $880 at the 1982 for economic and technical assistance. It hoped exchange rate. Agriculture played a vital role in that the Council would recommend a special eco• the economy, generating approximately 25 per nomic assistance programme and that the cent of GDP, 71 per cent of export earnings and Secretary-General would send an inter-agency employment for 75 per cent of the labour force (6 mission to Swaziland to help it assess priority per cent worked in the mines of South Africa). needs and the medium- and long-term implica• Recession in the economy of its main trading part• tions of the floods on the economy. ner, South Africa, during the previous two years had had an adverse effect on the Swazi economy: The Secretary-General reported in JuneW that, real GDP declined in 1982 and 1983. at the request of the Government, UNDRO launched an appeal on 2 February and allocated The total cyclone damage was estimated at $65.4 a cash grant of $20,000 for air drops of relief sup• million, most of which was the result of flooding. plies. Total contributions reported in cash and in The total losses to the economy represented an kind as at 29 February amounted to $862,320. amount equivalent to 45 per cent of the Govern• ment's total annual expenditures, or 12 per cent of its GDP. Confirmed deaths numbered 53, but ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COUNCIL ACTION the actual total was probably higher. Immediately The Economic and Social Council adopted de• following the cyclone, the Government appealed cision 1984/106 without vote. for assistance directly to donors and through the Secretary-General. Relief co-ordination meetings Special economic assistance programme for Swaziland of United Nations organizations, donors and NGOs were organized by the resident co-ordinator. At its 2nd plenary meeting, on 10 February 1984, the From the launching of UNDRO's emergency ap• Council, having considered the letter dated 9 February 1984 from the Permanent Representative of Swaziland peal on 2 February to the end of the initial emer• to the United Nations addressed to the President of the gency period at mid-year, more than $2.5 million Council, decided to request the Secretary-General to of assistance had been made available. There re• send, as soon as possible and within existing resources, mained a need for international assistance, in par• an inter-agency mission to Swaziland to assess that coun• ticular concessional assistance, if Swaziland was try's priority needs in the light of the cyclone of Janu• to succeed in its reconstruction and rehabilitation ary 1984 and its medium-term and long-term implica• and achieve economic development. tions for the economy, and to consider the matter at its first regular session of 1984, under the item entitled The mission presented an outline of a special "Adoption of the agenda and other organizational mat• economic assistance programme at a total cost of ters", should the report of the mission be available at $44 million. Twenty-three projects were proposed that time. for bridge and road repair, agriculture, power,

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water supply and public facilities. The proposals organizations as well as international financial institu• did not include approximately $8.4 million for re• tions to give urgent consideration to the establishment habilitation of the railways, since repairs had to be of a programme of assistance for Swaziland or, where undertaken immediately and were financed by the one is already in existence, to the expansion of that pro• gramme; Government. 7. Requests the Secretary-General: (a) To continue his efforts to mobilize the necessary GENERAL ASSEMBLY ACTION resources for an effective programme of international as• On 17 December, the General Assembly, on the sistance for Swaziland; recommendation of the Second Committee, adopted (b) To keep the situation regarding assistance to resolution 39/194 without vote. Swaziland under constant review, to maintain close contact with Member States, the specialized agencies, regional Special economic assistance for Swaziland and other intergovernmental organizations and die in• The General Assembly, ternational financial institutions concerned and to ap• Recalling Economic and Social Council decision 1984/106 prise die Economic and Social Council, at its second regu• of 10 February 1984, in which the Council requested the lar session of 1985, of the current status of the special Secretary-General to send an inter-agency mission to economic assistance programme for Swaziland; Swaziland to assess that country's priority needs in the (c) To report on the progress made in the economic light of the cyclone of January 1984 and its medium-term situation of Swaziland and in organizing and implementing and long-term implications for the economy, the programme of assistance for diat country in time for Having heard the statement made by the Minister for the matter to be considered by the General Assembly Foreign Affairs of Swaziland on 11 October 1984, in which at its fortieth session. he expressed appreciation for the assistance rendered by Governments, the United Nations system and other or• General Assembly resolution 39/194 ganizations during the difficult period following the cyclone, 17 December 1984 Meeting 103 Adopted without vote Having considered the report of the Secretary-General, Approved by Second Committee (A/39/793) without vote, 30 November (meeting to which was annexed the report of die inter-agency mission 54); 19-nation draft (A/C.2/39/L59); agenda item 83 lb). which visited Swaziland from 30 April to 5 May 1984, Sponsors: Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Botswana, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Noting from the report the serious damage to the eco• Chad, Ethiopia, Gambia, Ghana, Lesotho, Madagascar, Malawi, Mozambique, nomic infrastructure of Swaziland and the efforts made Nepal, Pakistan, Suriname, Swaziland, Zambia, Zimbabwe. by the Government and people of Swaziland to cope wim Meeting numbers. GA 39th session: 2nd Committee 32-37,45,54; plenary 30,103. the problems of reconstruction, Earthquake in Yemen Taking note of the recommended programme of assistance As requested by the General Assembly in for Swaziland drawn up by the inter-agency mission, in 47 consultation with the Government, concerning priority 1983,W the Secretary-General, in October 1984,( ) projects designed to permit the resumption of normal reported on assistance for the reconstruction pro• economic activity, gramme of Yemen needed after an earthquake in 1. Draws attention to the urgent need for international December 1982.(48> Approximately 1,500 people action to assist the Government and people of Swaziland had been killed, over 265,000 were affected, 42,000 in their efforts for reconstruction and rehabilitation; residential buildings were damaged, and loss was 2. Expresses its appreciation to the Secretary-Generalestimate d at $2 billion. Immediately following the for his prompt action and for die report of die inter-agency earthquake, the resident co-ordinator acted as co• mission on the economic situation of Swaziland and the additional assistance required by that country to cope ordinator for relief assistance. An ad hoc commit• with the problems of reconstruction and rehabilitation; tee of Yemen-based government officials and 3. Expresses its gratitude to all States and organizationsrepresentative s of United Nations bodies and bilateral that have provided emergency assistance to Swaziland; and non-governmental organizations was established; 4. Endorses the assessment and recommendations of the office of the UNDP Resident Representative in the inter-agency mission contained in the annex to the Sana'a acted as its secretariat. The committee helped report of the Secretary-General; with the acquisition and supply of relief items. An 5. Requests the appropriate organizations and international joint mission of representatives of the programmes of the United Nations system, in particu• Economic Commission for Western Asia, the World lar the United Nations Development Programme, the Bank, the Arab Fund for Economic and Social De• World Bank, the Food and Agriculture Organization of velopment, the Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic the United Nations, the International Fund for Agricultural Development, the World Food Programme, the World Development and the Organization of Arab Heahh Organization, the United Nations Children's Fund Petroleum Exporting Countries visited Yemen and and the United Nations Industrial Development Organi• drew up reconstruction programmes, which included zation, to maintain and expand dieir programmes of as• construction of earthquake-resistant dwellings in sistance to Swaziland, to co-operate closely widi the safe sites. Secretary-General in his efforts to organize an effective international programme of assistance and to report to The Government had undertaken a three-phase him by mid-1985 on the steps they have taken and the reconstruction programme, at a total cost of $620 resources they have made available to help that country; million: relief, reconstruction and assistance to rural 6. Calls upon regional and interregional organizations development. The relief phase was completed in and otfier intergovernmental bodies and non-governmental 1983. Reconstruction would involve the repair of

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17,000 houses and construction of 25,000. Assistance ties in pre-disaster planning. W UNDRO's concept for rural development in the earthquake-affected of disaster preparedness was the integration of human areas was to be organized once the reconstruction and material resources into a national system of was completed. readiness in order to minimize the loss of lives and damage when a disaster struck. Its technical assistance GENERAL ASSEMBLY ACTION programmes were aimed at establishing national On 17 December, the General Assembly adopted structures capable of immediate action. It also sought without vote resolution 39/190, on the recommendation to improve communication channels between central of the Second Committee. and local preparedness units, as well as damage- reporting systems to determine relief assistance. Early- Assistance to Yemen warning systems and public education to cope with The General Assembly, natural and other hazards were other components Recalling its resolutions 37/166 of 17 December 1982 of disaster preparedness. During the year, the number and 38/204 of 20 December 1983 and resolution 150(VI) of requests for UNDRO assistance in disaster pre• of 2 July 1983 of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development, paredness planning had increased, whereas con• Fully aware of the grave devastation and substantial loss tributions to the sub-account for technical assistance of life and property caused by the earthquake that struck of the UNDRO Trust Fund had decreased. It had large areas of Yemen on 12 December 1982, become necessary for UNDRO to identify donors pre• Concerned about the damage caused to infrastructure, pared to finance individual projects before it could which has a far-reaching effect on the implementation respond to such requests. of the national development plan in that country, Taking note of the report of die Secretary-General, which An example of projects in this area was the Co• outlines the reconstruction programme of the Govern• ordination and Information Centre for Emergen• ment of Yemen, the cost of which is estimated at $620 million, cies, at N'djamena, Chad, set up by UNDRO with Taking into account that the various phases of reconstructionassistanc e from the Swiss Disaster Relief Unit. The have placed a strain on the Government of Yemen, largely Centre, which became operational in 1983, gathered exhausted the resources available and hindered development information on the arrival and movement of relief plans, goods, published a monthly statement of stocks and Recognizing that Yemen, as one of the least developed distribution, and processed and disseminated in• countries, is unable to bear the mounting burden of the formation on disaster needs. After an inter-agency relief efforts and die reconstruction of the affected areas, mission was sent to Vanuatu in June, UNDRO 1. Appeals to all countries, especially the developed agreed to that Government's request to provide the countries, to continue to contribute generously to the relief 2 efforts and die reconstruction of the affected areas dirough services of an expert in disaster management/ ) financial contributions and die provision of the construction Preparedness projects were also planned or under materials and equipment necessary to restore infrastructure way in Indonesia, Madagascar, Nicaragua, the and basic services in the affected areas; Sudan and the United Republic of Tanzania. 2. Requests the appropriate organizations and At the international level, the Typhoon Committee, programmes of the United Nations system to maintain an intergovernmental organization established in and expand their programmes of assistance to Yemen; 3. Expresses its gratitude to the States, the international196 8 to reduce the effects of typhoons through im• and regional organizations and the non-governmental proved forecasting, completed its four-year Typhoon organizations that have participated in the ongoing ef• Operational Experiment with a final evaluation meet• forts undertaken for the reconstruction of the affected ing at Tokyo in March. UNDRO and the League areas in Yemen; of Red Cross Societies, joint co-ordinators for the 4. Requests the Secretary-General to apprise die Economic Warning Dissemination and Information Exchange and Social Council, at its second regular session of 1985, component, presented to the meeting an evalua• and the General Assembly, at its fortieth session, of the tion report with follow-up proposals. The progress made in die implementation of die present reso• WMO/ESCAP Panel on Tropical Cyclones helped or• lution. ganize a Regional Seminar on Disaster Prepared• ness (Male, Maldives, 28 February-3 March), at General Assembly resolution 39/190 which disaster managers from Bangladesh, India, 17 December 1984 Meeting 103 Adopted without vote Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Thailand Approved by Second Committee (A/397793I without vote, 30 November (meeting 54); 24-nation draft (A/C.2/39/L.51); agenda item S3 lb). adopted recommendations on actions to be taken Sponsors: Afghanistan, Algeria, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Cyprus, Democratic Yemen, by national, regional and international bodies. Djbouti, Egypt, Ethiopia, Jordan, Kuwait Lebanon, Libyan Arab Jamahiriya, Madagascar, Mauritania, Oman, Pakistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Sudan, Tunisia, United As requested by the Tropical Cyclone Commit• Arab Emirates, Yemen. tee for the South-West Indian Ocean, a regional Meeting numbers. GA 39th session: 2nd Committee 32-37,45, 54; plenary 103. body of eight countries created by WMO to enhance national capabilities and regional co-operation in Disaster preparedness and prevention forecasting and warning of tropical cyclones, In addition to responding to immediate disaster UNDRO, jointly with the League of Red Cross So• relief needs, UNDRO in 1984 continued its activi• cieties, organized a training seminar in disaster

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prevention and preparedness for disaster manage• of prevention and preparedness activities, includ• ment personnel from the member countries ing the provision of two full-time experts and an (Mauritius, 21-25 May). Another regional project emergency telecommunications programme. Ac• was UNDRO's financing of the participation of tivities in 1984 included regional seminars or work• relief officials from five countries—Bangladesh, shops in Antigua, Barbados, Cuba, Puerto Rico, Burma, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Thailand—in a and Saint Christopher and Nevis, on such subjects training programme in India in disaster manage• as search and rescue, oil spill, hurricane prepared• ment. A Regional Meeting on Disaster Prevention ness, emergency shelter and other aspects of dis• and Preparedness in Africa (Addis Ababa, 24 and aster management. An air crash simulation exer• 25 February) was organized jointly with ECA and cise was held in Antigua. Technical assistance OAU. Representatives from 21 African countries, missions developed national disaster plans and United Nations agencies and NGOs assessed the training programmes in the British Virgin Islands, situation with regard to natural disasters other Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica, Montser- than drought and considered measures to mitigate rat, Saint Christopher and Nevis, and Saint Vin• their harmful impact. The meeting adopted a cent and the Grenadines. strategy and recommendations put forward in an Prevention activities included studies on vulner• UNDRO/ECA paper on the subject. A project in the ability of buildings and infrastructure to hurri• Balkan region was completed in April 1984 fol• canes in Dominica and Saint Lucia, and work• lowed by the establishment of a permanent Inter• shops and manuals to illustrate techniques to national Governmental Committee for Earthquake minimize hurricane and earthquake damage. Risk Reduction. Emergency communications equipment between UNDRO provided expert services for two work• national emergency offices was in operation and shops in Titograd, Yugoslavia, on vulnerability a procedures manual was prepared. The Pan- and seismic-risk analysis, and continued techni• Caribbean project stimulated the creation of na• cal advisory services to Yugoslavia throughout the tional emergency offices and, by the end of 1984, year; a study was made on earthquake vulnera• 23 of the 28 member countries had programmes bility. Assistance was provided to Egypt for flood- in disaster preparedness and prevention. risk analysis and flood-prevention techniques, and In April, UNDRO, ECLAC and the Pan Ameri• to Mozambique for strengthening national disaster can Health Organization/WHO sponsored a semi• prevention and counter-disaster operations. A dis• nar at Mexico City to develop a methodology to aster plan for a province in Papua New Guinea, assess relief needs following sudden natural dis• drawn up in 1983, was applied in early 1984 when asters. As a follow-up, in August 1984 an UNDRO typical precursors to volcanic eruptions occurred. representative visited ECLAC headquarters to dis• In July 1984 an earthquake engineer and seis• cuss plans for future action in pre-disaster plan• mologist visited Cyprus to advise both the Greek ning in Latin America. and Turkish communities on earthquake risk Reporting on some of its emergency operations reduction methods for the Nicosia Master Plan, in 1984,(49> UNICEF said it had circulated the sec• a UNCHS project. ond draft of its emergency manual to most field Preparedness for industrial accidents was offices in Africa and a number of selected offices another area of UNDRO activity, including partic• in other regions. The manual provided guidelines ipation with the International Atomic Energy on policies, procedures and possible programme Agency in such projects as the preparation of a interventions in emergency situations. It was also "Handbook for assessing off-site consequences of sent for comment to emergency units of United accidents in nuclear power plants" and the com• Nations organizations and others with particular pilation of "Guidelines for mutual emergency as• expertise in emergency aid. The Eastern and sistance arrangements in connection with a Southern Africa Regional Office in Nairobi or• nuclear accident or radiation emergency"; as well ganized a workshop in June to train staff in as a joint UNIDO/UNDRO/WHO/UNEP project for responding to emergency situations. the institution and co-ordination of national con• The Economic and Social Council, in resolu• tingency plans for emergencies associated widi in• tion 1984/60, and the General Assembly, in reso• dustrial installations in the West and Central Afri• lution 39/207, expressed recognition of the impor• can region. A regional workshop related to the tance of disaster prevention and preparedness at latter project was held at Dakar in February, at the regional and national levels in mitigating the which 15 Governments were represented. The final effects of disasters, and appreciation of UNDRO's report contained recommendations for action. work in that area as far as resources allowed. It The Pan-Caribbean Disaster Preparedness and encouraged Governments to continue to draw Prevention Project, a multi-agency project begun upon the services available from UNDRO and other in 1981 and covering 28 Caribbean countries and organizations and to provide the necessary territories, involved UNDRO's technical supervision resources for that aspect of technical co-operation.

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REFERENCES sion had deepened throughout 1983 and continued WA/39/267-E/1984/96 & Corr.l & Add.1,2. <2>E/1985/75. (3>YUN during the first half of 1984. An estimated 30 per 1983, p. 534. Wlbid., p. 532, GA res. 38/217, 20 Dec. 1983. cent of die active labour force was unemployed. Eco• A/39/267/Add.2-E/1984/96/Add.2. (6>YUN 1983, p. 1150, GA res. 38/236 A, 20 Dec. 1983. (7>A/39/267/Add.l- nomic disruptions were aggravated by restrictions E/1984/96/Add.l. (8)YUN 1983, p. 522, GA res. 38/202, 20 imposed by Israeli forces on movements of goods Dec. 1983. Wlbid., p. 521. (10>A/39/393 & Add.l. <»)E/1984/109. 12 13 15 and people to and from soudiern Lebanon. Govern• ( )A/39/530. ( )A/39/270. (")DP/1984/52 & Add.l. ( )E/1984/20 ment expenditures increased due to die security sit• (dec. 84/14). WYUN 1983, p. 537, GA res. 38/201, 20 Dec. 1983. <17)YUN 1977, p. 509. (18)A/39/25 (dec. 12/10). uation, contributing to a deficit in the balance of <19>A/39/211-E/1984/58 & Add.l. (20>E/1985/65. payments of around $900 million. The economy (21>DP/1985/5/Add.2 (part II). (22)DP/1984/51 & Corr.1,2. still had characteristics that would enable it to re• 23 ( >YUN 1983, p. 777, GA res. 38/164, 19 Dec. 1983. cover, but some of this potential, both human and (2*>E/1984/20 (dec. 84/27). <25)/Au/. (dec. 84/28). (26)TD/B/1004. (2?)A/39/15, vol. II (res. 295(XXIX)). (28)A/39/145. (29>YUN financial, was being drained away by migration. 1983, p. 526. (3«)A/39/386. (3')YUN 1983, p. 529, GA According to the Secretary-General, the consoli• res. 38/216, 20 Dec. 1983. (32)A/C.2/39/5. (33)E/1984/64. dation of security on a stable basis would be the 34 3J 36 37 ( >E/1984/90. < )E/1984/95. ( )UNDRO/84/8. ( )YUN 1983, most important single factor in facilitating economic p. 529. <3«)A/39/392. (39)YUN 1983, p. 530. (4°)E/1984/67. ("JA/39/404. («)E/1984/31. («>E/1984/135. <«>E/1984/135/Add.l. recovery. <«)A/39/598. (*«)YUN 1983, p. 533, GA res. 38/204, 20 The situation in the south (including western Dec. 1983. (47>A/39/380. (*»)YUN 1983, p. 533. («)E/ICEF/1985/11. Bekaa) posed especially difficult problems for recon• struction. Two thirds of the industrial plants there were closed and agricultural production was 40 per cent below normal. Schools, medical facilities and essential services were not functioning properly. The Emergency relief and assistance war damage of 1982 remained largely unrepaired, and the latest Shouf and Beirut outbreaks brought an influx of displaced persons (approximately 20,000 Lebanon families), straining local resources. Continued Is• As a result of the renewed fighting and disorder raeli occupation of the region isolated it from the in late 1983 and early 1984 in Lebanon (see rest of the country and disrupted normal life and p. 283), the country's economy declined and its economic activity. The Government accorded high reconstruction programme was set back. The priority to basic relief needs and rehabilitation United Nations Co-ordinator of Assistance for the projects in housing, education, road reconstruction, Reconstruction and Development of Lebanon, drinking-water and waste management, electric• reporting orally to die Economic and Social Coun• ity and health. cil on 17 July, noted that despite many difficulties The United Nations continued to have a sub• work on reconstruction projects had continued stantial and active presence in Lebanon. Many wherever conditions allowed. specialized agencies and other United Nations or• The Secretary-General, in a September 1984 ganizations maintained regional offices in Beirut, report^ to die General Assembly, requested in De• namely UNICEF, UNHCR, ILO, FAO, UNESCO, cember 1983,(2) described the general situation in WHO, UNDP, WFP and UNRWA. The United Lebanon and summarized developments mere since Nations Interim Force in Lebanon had been sta• his 1983 report^3) on assistance for Lebanon's recon• tioned in soudiern Lebanon since 1978 and, in ad• struction and development. He said tension remained dition to peace-keeping operations, it conducted at a high level and heavy fighting had taken place humanitarian activities (see p. 298). Closure of the in late 1983 between Palestinian and other groups airport and insecurity had obliged ILO and UNICEF in die Bekaa Valley and around Tripoli. In December to move their regional offices temporarily out of 1983, a truce was arranged and a large contingent Lebanon to Geneva and Amman, respectively, and of Palestine Liberation Organization fighters left UNDP was obliged to reduce its operations in Leb• Tripoli in ships flying die United Nations flag. While anon. The principal focus of United Nations ac• sporadic fighting was going on in the Shouf moun• tivities was emergency relief assistance to victims tains in February 1984, hostilities broke out in West of the fighting. Beirut, again splitting the city along the so-called Under a 1980 arrangement between the Govern• "Green Line". A new Government was formed in ment and UNICEF, a rehabilitation programme May and Parliament gave it special powers to legislate comprising education, health, water and self-help by decree. Under those powers, the Government projects continued. In addition to the initial recon• adopted a security plan by which it reopened the struction of the south project ($26.5 million), Beirut port, airport and traffic passageways between UNICEF funded and organized a $44-million pro• the eastern and western parts of the city. gramme aimed at repairing die damage caused dur• The worsening security problem eroded die ability ing the 1982 Israeli invasion. On behalf of the of the Lebanese economy to function. The reces- Government and widi Arab aid funds, UNICEF was

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executing a $100-million programme of rebuilding ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COUNCIL ACTION hospitals, schools and water-supply systems. Report• The Economic and Social Council, on the recom• ing on its emergency operations in 1984 (exclud• 4 mendation of the Third Committee, adopted de• ing Africa)/ ) UNICEF said that, following civil vio• cision 1984/174 without vote. lence in February which disrupted the water supply in the southern suburbs of Beirut and in the Shouf Assistance for the reconstruction and mountains, it helped supply power generators and development of Lebanon repair damaged pipes, rehabilitated damaged wells At its 49th plenary meeting, on 26 July 1984, the and sanitation facilities and trucked water to 37 Council: centres for displaced families. (a) Took note with appreciation of the oral report made on 17 July 1984 by the United Nations Co-ordinator of The second country programme for Lebanon^) Assistance for the Reconstruction and Development of was submitted in March to the UNDP Governing Lebanon pursuant to General Assembly resolution 38/220 Council for consideration and approval. It was based of 20 December 1983 and of the statement made on 18 on a request by Lebanon for UNDP assistance for July 1984 by the Permanent Representative of Lebanon 1984-1986 and drawn up in collaboration with the to the United Nations Office at Geneva before the Third UNDP resident representative. The Government's (Programme and Co-ordination) Committee of the primary concern was the reconstruction of basic Council; facilities as elaborated in its reconstruction project. (b) Expressed its appreciation for die relendess efforts That project, which called for expenditures in the undertaken by the Government of Lebanon in the im• order of $15 billion over 10 years, provided the overall plementation of the initial phase of reconstruction of the country, despite adverse circumstances; framework for public sector actions and policies, (c) Appealed to all Member States and organs, or• beginning with the rehabilitation of physical and ganizations and bodies of the United Nations system to social infrastructures. The World Bank, at the continue and intensify their efforts to mobilize all pos• Government's request, finalized in early 1983 a recon• sible assistance for the reconstruction and development struction assessment report which foresaw an ini• of Lebanon, in accordance with the relevant resolutions tial investment of $230 million for education, housing, and decisions of the General Assembly and the Economic urban development, water supply, telecommuni• and Social Council. cations, port facilities and highway maintenance. Other assistance by the United Nations was Economic and Social Council decision 1984/174 provided by DTCD, UNCTAD, UNIDO, UNFPA, the Adopted without vote Division of Narcotic Drugs, WFP, UNHCR, IAEA, Approved by Third Committee (EA984/148) without vote, 23 July (meeting 15); 5- nation draft (E/1984/C.3/L.7); agenda item 18. FAO, UNESCO, WHO and ITU. Sponsors: Bangladesh, Pakistan, Tunisia, United States, Venezuela. Speaking to the General Assembly's Second Com• mittee on 6 November, the Co-ordinator of As• GENERAL ASSEMBLY ACTION sistance for the Reconstruction and Development On the recommendation of the Second Commit• of Lebanon said that Lebanon's reconstruction pro• tee, the General Assembly, on 17 December, adopted gramme had been interrupted by renewed fight• resolution 39/197 without vote. ing in the mountains in September 1983 and in the Beirut suburbs in February 1984, affecting some Assistance for the reconstruction and 500,000 persons on each occasion; nevertheless, Leb• development of Lebanon anon had been able to implement about 27 per cent The General Assembly, of the programme. At the request of Lebanon, the Recalling its resolutions 33/146 of 20 December 1978, Secretary-General had issued appeals both times 34/135 of 14 December 1979, 35/85 of 5 December 1980, for international emergency relief. It was estimated 36/205 of 17 December 1981, 37/163 of 17 December 1982 and 38/220 of 20 December 1983 on assistance for the on each occasion that $10 million was needed. Tens reconstruction and development of Lebanon, of thousands would remain in need of assistance Recalling also Economic and Social Council resolution for some time to come. The Lebanese Government 1980/15 of 29 April 1980 and decisions 1983/112 of 17 May was currently working on a new programme for 1983 and 1984/174 of 26 July 1984, 1985 and onwards which would have to take into Noting with deep concern the continuing heavy loss of life account the damage caused by fighting and disorder and the additional destruction of property, which have over the previous 12 to 15 months. caused further extensive damage to the economic and social structures of Lebanon, The Fourth General Conference of UNIDO (see Also noting with concern the serious economic situation Chapter VI of mis section, under "Programme and 6 in Lebanon, finances of UNIDO"), in a resolution of 19 August/ ) Welcoming the determined efforts of the Government requested UNIDO to provide Lebanon with immedi• of Lebanon in undertaking its reconstruction and rehabili• ate, medium- and long-term assistance so as to enable tation programme, it to reconstruct its industrial sector. It called on Reaffirming the urgent need for further international member States to assist UNIDO in its reindustri- action to assist the Government of Lebanon in its con• alization efforts for Lebanon. tinuing efforts for reconstruction and development,

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Taking note of the report of the Secretary-General and of assistance and to expand them in response to the of the statement made on 6 November 1984 by die needs of Lebanon; United Nations Co-ordinator of Assistance for the 6. Also requests die Secretary-General to report to die Reconstruction and Development of Lebanon, Economic and Social Council at its second regular ses• 1. Expresses its appreciation to the Secretary-Generalsio n of 1985 and to the General Assembly at its fortieth for his report and for the steps he has taken to mobilize session on the progress achieved in die implementation assistance to Lebanon; of the present resolution. 2. Commends the United Nations Co-ordinator of As• sistance for the Reconstruction and Development of Leb• General Assembly resolution 39/197 anon and his staff for their valuable and unstinting ef• forts in the discharge of their duties; 17 December 1984 Meeting 103 Adopted without vote 3. Expresses its appreciation for die relendess efforts unApprove• d by Second Committee (A/39/793) without vote, 30 November (meeting 54); 43-nation draft (A/C.2/39/L.62); agenda item 83 lb). dertaken by die Government of Lebanon in die im• Sponsors: Australia, Austria, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Belgium, Burkina Faso, Canada, plementation of die initial phase of reconstruction of die Colombia, Cyprus, Democratic Yemen, Djibouti, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, country, despite adverse circumstances, and for die steps Egypt, Ethiopia, France, Gambia, Italy, Japan, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Liberia, Libyan Arab Jamahiriya, Madagascar, Mauritania, Morocco, Nicaragua, Oman, it has taken to remedy the economic situation; Pakistan, Panama, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Spain, Sudan, Tunisia, United 4. Requests die Secretary-General to continue and in• Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States, Uruguay, Yemen, Yugoslavia. tensify his efforts to mobilize all possible assistance Meeting numbers. GA 39th session: 2nd Committee 32-37,45, 54; plenary 103. widiin the United Nations system to help the Govern• ment of Lebanon in its reconstruction and development REFERENCES efforts; WA/39/390. (2>YUN 1983, p. 536, GA res. 38/220, 20 5. Requests the organs, organizations and bodies of Dec. 1983. Wlbid., p. 535. WE/ICEF/1985/11. (5)DP/CP/ die United Nations system to intensify dieir programmes LEB/2. <6)ID/CONF.5/46 & Corr.l (res. 12).

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