Humanitarian and special economic assistance 823

Chapter III Economic and social questions Humanitarian and special economic assistance

In 2001, the United Nations, through the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs Humanitarian assistance (OCHA), continued to coordinate the response of humanitarian agencies, particularly those of the UN system, to alleviate human suffering in disas- Coordination ters and emergencies, promote preparedness and prevention, and facilitate sustainable solutions. The 2001 consolidated inter-agency appeals pro- Humanitarian affairs segment cess was launched globally under the theme of the Economic and Social Council “Women and war”. During the year, appeals were During the humanitarian affairs segment of launched for Angola, Burundi, the northern Cau- the Economic and Social Council, held from 11 casus,theCongo,theDemocraticPeople’sRepub- to 13 July with the theme “Strengthening the lic of Korea, the Democratic Republic of the coordination of emergency humanitarian assist- Congo, Eritrea, Ethiopia, the Great Lakes region ance of the United Nations” (decision 2001/206 and Central Africa, the Maluku islandsofIndone- of 31 January), the Council held panel discus- sia,SierraLeone,Somalia,South-Eastern Europe, sions on emergency humanitarian assistance for the Sudan, Tajikistan, Uganda, the United Re- groups with special needs and on natural disaster public of Tanzania and West Africa. The total preparedness and response measures (decision sought amounted to $2,559 million, of which 2001/225 of 2 July). $1,415million was received, meeting 55.3 per cent The Council had before it a June report of of requirements. In addition, an inter-agency ap- the Secretary-General [A/56/95-E/2001/85] on peal covering Afghanistan for 2001, which sought strengthening the coordination of UN emer- $332.6 million, received contributions of $150 gency humanitarian assistance, submitted pur- million, or 45.1 per cent of requirements. In Sep- suant to requests by the General Assembly in tember, a donor alert for Afghanistan, appealing resolutions 46/182 [YUN 1991, p. 421] and 55/164 for $662 million and covering October 2001 to [YUN 2000, p. 848] and by the Council in resolution March 2002, replaced the appeal; it received con- 1995/56 [YUN 1995, p. 927]. Noting that the year tributions of $496 million, or 75 per cent of re- 2001 marked the tenth anniversary of the adop- quirements. tion of resolution 46/182 with the goal of im- OCHA reported contributions to cover assist- proving the efficiency and effectiveness of UN ance in 2001 for natural disasters totalling $332 humanitarian operations in the field, the million, excluding in-kind contributions and Secretary-General presented an overview of the services, for 49 situations in 36 countries and two changes in humanitarian environments over the regions. Through the Response Coordination preceding decade and progress and constraints and Emergency Services Branches, OCHA mo- in strengthening humanitarian coordination. bilized and coordinated assistance to 67 natural With regard to the period 2000-2001, the report disasters. discussed the context and challenges of provid- The United Nations mine-action policy docu- ing humanitarian assistance during that period. ment, which continued to guide UN agencies and The UN system, in consultation with affected their partners in implementing their mine-action Governments, had conducted lessons-learned responsibilities, was further developed in 2001. exercises to chart the course to better preven- In October, the Secretary-General presented the tion and response. A recurring theme of those United Nations mine-action strategy for 2001- evaluations was the need for strong contin- 2005, intended to turn the policy into concrete gency planning, strengthened national disaster action. He also outlined the United Nations pol- management capacity and disaster response co- icy on information management for mine action. ordination mechanisms, which included in- During the year, preparations were under way formation management as well as regional for the final review and appraisal in 2002 of the cooperation. Inter-agency efforts included a implementation of the United Nations New series of initiatives, such as the inter-agency con- AgendafortheDevelopmentofAfricainthe1990s. tingency planning guidelines prepared by the

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Inter-Agency Standing Committee (IASC) to deal mainly against a background of low funding of with environmental or natural disasters, civil un- child-specific priority projects. rest and conflict, or the related refugee outflows In reviewing progress and constraints in and internal displacement. The Office for the strengthening coordination, the Secretary- Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) Generalstatedthatakeytaskforthe ERC remained had brought on board three regional disaster re- that of advocating respect for the humanitarian sponse advisers for Latin America, Asia and the agenda and the principles of humanitarian ac- Pacific, who provided technical support to UN tion, particularly in peacekeeping operations. Other challenges included strengthening his country teams and, through them, to the regional leadershipastheinter-agencyfocalpointoninter- and national authorities, for the preparation of nally displaced persons and engaging more ac- contingency plans and the coordination of natu- tively in negotiations for access to vulnerable ral disaster response. Two more advisers were populations. IASC needed to be strengthened to foreseen for the Caribbean and Central America maintain its central role as a key coordination and and for Southern Africa. Inter-agency response consultative mechanism among its core members was also effected through joint missions. and standing invitees. Continuous efforts had been made to improve the consolidated appeals Some key issues in the coordination of humani- process as a process and a coordination tool. How- tarian assistance included the protection of civil- ever, a few key challenges remained, such as better ians in armed conflict, internal displacement, prioritizing the needs outlined in consolidated gender and children. Representatives of the Se- appeal documents. At a retreat on the appeals nior Inter-Agency Network on Internal Displace- process and coordination in humanitarian emer- ment, while visiting Afghanistan, Angola, Bu- gencies (Montreux, Switzerland, March), donors rundi, Eritrea and Ethiopia (October 2000 to May expressed support for the process. However, state- 2001),confirmed serious gaps in the UN humani- ments of support needed to be accompanied by tarian response to the needs of internally dis- further coordination among donors, said the placed persons. In response, OCHA planned to Secretary-General. Despite growing donor inter- establish a small, inter-agency, non-operational est in better coordinated and consolidated plans, Internally Displaced Persons Unit to advise the there continued to be a tendency to favour bilat- Emergency Relief Coordinator (ERC) on and en- eral assistance, which, at times, eclipsed multilat- sure an improved coordinated response to the eralfunding,makingthecoordinationofinterna- needs of internally displaced persons. The Unit tional response more difficult. Contributions to would support and complement the advocacy the consolidated appeals had steadily declined efforts of the Secretary-General’s Representative from $1.96 billion in 1994 to $1.2 billion in 2000, on internally displaced persons (see p. 652). IASC leaving goals, particularly those relating to reha- focused on providing support to UN country bilitation, unmet and urgent needs unaddressed. teams to bring the international community’s at- OCHA intended to carry out an analysis of donor tention to the needs and problems of women and funding patterns and the strategic coherence of girls in conflict and post-conflict situations. In the appeals process to identify ways to address im- 2001, the consolidated appeals process was balances. Linkages were needed between the con- launched globally under the theme “Women and solidated appeals process and the United Nations war”. IASC reviewed the guidelines and training Development Assistance Framework (UNDAF)to tools for the process to ensure that they carried ensure an integrated strategy in the recovery appropriate mainstreamed messages concerning phase. The UN country team in the Republic of gender; its electronic resource package aimed to the Congo had devised an innovative approach, assist humanitarian coordinators and field staff combining the essential elements of the consoli- in mainstreaming gender into the 2002 consoli- dated appeals process, the common country dated appeals process. In response to the Eco- assessment and UNDAF into a single “United nomic and Social Council’s agreed conclusions Nations Plan”, which responded to challenges in 1999/1 [YUN 1999,p. 824], steps were taken to reflect the transition phase with a single planning docu- the growing political commitment towards child ment. protection. Security Council resolutions 1261 (1999)and 1265(1999) [ibid., pp. 672 & 649], which in- Recommendations were made on strengthen- cluded the protection of children in the mandates ing the coordination and response role of re- of UN peacekeeping operations for the Demo- gional, national and local actors. There was a cratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Sierra Le- need to engage the entire community in respond- one, respectively, allowed for the appointment of ing to any disaster and, to strengthen the role of child protection advisers as an integral part of the regional bodies and national actors, the interna- missions. Nonetheless, sustained access to all chil- tional community should promote decentraliza- dren affectedby armed conflict remained elusive, tion of humanitarian assistance management.

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International actors should focus on strengthen- tached the highest importance to strengthening ing indigenous preparedness capabilities to fa- measures to enhance the security of humanita- cilitate increased responsibility for and owner- rian personnel. ship of humanitarian response at the regional The Vice President also summarized the panel and national levels. Building partnership and discussions. trust with Governments and local authorities was On 13 July, the Council took note of the key to providing more effective assistance. Secretary-General’s report (decision 2001/228). Among the key challenges facing humanita- rian operations was access, particularly in com- GENERAL ASSEMBLY ACTION plex emergencies. Negotiating access raised On 14 December [meeting 87], the General As- problems of its own and was an extremely intri- sembly adopted resolution 56/107 [draft: A/56/ cate and time-consuming process, with no cer- L.55 & Add.1] without vote [agenda item 20 (a)]. tain guarantees. Member States had a vital role to Strengthening of the coordination of emergency play in supporting access negotiations by provid- humanitarian assistance of the United Nations ing additional leverage or undertaking comple- The General Assembly, mentary diplomatic and political action. An- Recalling its resolution 46/182 of 19 December 1991 other challenge was the development in and the guiding principles contained in the annex humanitarian emergencies of “war econo- thereto, other relevant General Assembly and Eco- mies”—alternative structures that emerged and nomic and Social Council resolutions and agreed con- clusions of the Council, gained total control of economic assets—which Taking note of the report of the Secretary-General, were often the instigators and promoters of vio- Taking note also of the note by the Secretary-General lence; that was particularly true if the resources on enhancing the functioning and utilization of the controlled by those structures related to illegal Central Emergency Revolving Fund, submitted to the trade, such as narcotics. Other “war economies” General Assembly at its fifty-fifth session pursuant to could develop, such as arms trafficking or the its resolution 54/95 of 8 December 1999, misappropriation and sale of humanitarian Recognizing the importance of the Revolving Fund as assistance. Other challenges were sanctions re- a cash-flow mechanism for a timely, prompt, effective and coordinated response by the organizations of the gimes, the need to link relief and development, United Nations system, and administrative procedures. Regarding the Recognizing also that the pattern of utilization has last, OCHA had recommended changes to ad- been uneven in recent years and that there is a need to dress the shortcomings, including enhanced ensure that the Revolving Fund is used where the needs delegation of authority for recruiting personnel are greatest and most urgent, and conducting financial transactions and pro- 1. Welcomes the holding of the fourth humanitarian curement in the field. affairs segment of the Economic and Social Council during its substantive session of 2001; The Secretary-General made recommenda- 2. Invites the Economic and Social Council to con- tions to the General Assembly and the Economic tinue to consider ways to enhance further the humani- and Social Council regarding further strength- tarian affairs segment of future sessions of the Coun- ening coordination of humanitarian assistance, cil; prevention, preparedness and response mecha- 3. Emphasizes the importance of discussion of hu- nisms, and groups with special needs. manitarian policies and activities in the General As- sembly and the Economic and Social Council; Summarizing the debate on the Secretary- 4. Calls upon relevant organizations of the United General’s report, the Council Vice-President Nations system, other relevant international organiza- stated that the Council reaffirmed the value and tions, Governments and non-governmental organiza- significance of the guiding principles laid down tions to cooperate with the Secretary-General and the in Assembly resolution 46/182 and supported Emergency Relief Coordinator to ensure timely imple- the strengthening of the tools and mechanisms mentation of and follow-up to agreed conclusions of established therein. They highlighted the need the humanitarian affairs segment of the substantive session of the Economic and Social Council; to increase national and regional capacities for 5. Welcomes the progress made by the Emergency preparing for and responding to natural disas- Relief Coordinator and the Office for the Co- ters and called for greater collaboration and part- ordination of Humanitarian Affairs of the Secretariat nership between the UN system and regional, na- in strengthening the coordination of humanitarian tional and local actors. Members placed strong assistance of the United Nations; emphasis on the primary responsibility of the 6. Expresses its deepest appreciation to those Govern- State concerned to protect and assist civilian ments that have contributed to the Central Emergency Revolving Fund; populations, particularly the vulnerable and dis- 7. Encourages better use of the Revolving Fund, and placed, and agreed that Governments and parties in that context endorses the proposal of the Secretary- to conflict should facilitate the access of humani- General to expand the utilization of the Fund to in- tarian workers to those in need. They also at- clude humanitarian assistance for natural disasters,

YUN01—REPROS—cxs JUNE 17 2003 826 Economic and social questions humanitarian assistance for new requirements in pro- In December, the General Assembly, having tracted emergencies and emergency staff safety ar- considered a 2000 report of the Secretary- rangements for United Nations and associated person- General on enhancing the functioning and utili- nel; zation of CERF [YUN 2000, p. 850], adopted resolu- 8. Decides that the expanded utilization of the Re- volving Fund shall follow the same procedures and tion 56/107 (see p. 825), in which it requested the terms of reference that have been established in reso- Secretary-General to propose further possible lution 46/182 for advances and reimbursement of the improvements to enhance the use of the Fund. resources of the Fund; 9. Requests the Secretary-General to inform Govern- Consolidated appeals ments regularly about the use of the Revolving Fund The consolidated appeals process continued to and to report to the General Assembly at its fifty- coordinate and facilitate the capacity of the UN seventh session on the utilization of the Fund and on further possible improvements in its terms of reference system to meet its inter-agency resource require- in order to enhance its functioning and utilization, in- ments. In 2001, the United Nations and its hu- ter alia, in relation to the great need for urgent assist- manitarian partners issued 19 consolidated ap- ance in many underfunded, so-called forgotten emer- peals that sought some $2.8 billion for assistance gencies; to Afghanistan, Angola, Burundi, the northern 10. Also requests the Secretary-General to report to Caucasus, the Congo, the Democratic People’s the General Assembly at its fifty-seventh session, Republic of Korea, the Democratic Republic of through the 2002 substantive session of the Economic the Congo, Eritrea, Ethiopia, the Great Lakes re- and Social Council, on progress made in strengthening the coordination of emergency humanitarian assist- gion and Central Africa, the Maluku crisis (Indo- ance of the United Nations, including the implementa- nesia), Sierra Leone, Somalia, South-Eastern tion of and follow-up to relevant agreed conclusions of Europe, the Sudan, Tajikistan, Uganda, the the Council and progress made in the implementation United Republic of Tanzania and West Africa. of the present resolution. Contributions to the consolidated appeals pro- cess fell from $1.96 billion in 1994 to $1.2 billion On 24 December, the Assembly decided that in 2000, and the share of requirements met the item “Strengthening of the coordination of showed a steady downward trend, from 80 per humanitarian and disaster relief assistance of the cent in 1994 to 59 per cent in 2000. The 2001 United Nations, including special economic mid-year review placed particular focus on the assistance” would remain for consideration dur- impact of underfunding. As at 22 May, six ing its resumed fifty-sixth (2002) session (deci- months after the 2001 consolidated appeals were sion 56/464). launched, only 23 per cent of the $2.8 billion re- quested had been funded. In addition, some cri- UN and other humanitarian personnel ses were almost ignored and in others emergency In response to General Assembly resolution food aid received the bulk of contributions, while non-food sectors, such as agriculture, health, 55/175 [YUN 2000, p. 1348], the Secretary-General submitted a September report on the safety and education and water and sanitation, remained security of humanitarian personnel and protec- underfunded. Donors were urged to work more closely together to address the requirements in a tion of UN personnel [A/56/384 & Corr.1] (see p. 1347). more balanced way. In resolution 56/217 of 21 December, the As- sembly strongly condemned any act or failure to White Helmets act that obstructed or prevented humanitarian In response to General Assembly resolution and UN personnel from discharging their hu- 54/98 [YUN 1999, p. 829], the Secretary-General manitarian functions, or which entailed their be- submitted an August report on the “White Hel- ing subjected to threats, the use of force or physi- mets” initiative [A/56/308], which was established cal attack. by Argentina to provide expertise on a standby team basis from various national volunteer corps Resource mobilization to support immediate relief, rehabilitation, con- struction and development activities. The report, which covered the period from July 1999 to July Central Emergency Revolving Fund 2001, provided an overview of progress made in In 2001, the Central Emergency Revolving collaboration with various partners, particularly Fund (CERF), established in 1992 [YUN 1992, p. 584] the Government of Argentina, through the as a cash-flow mechanism for the initial phase of White Helmets Commission of Argentina. It humanitarian emergencies, granted 24 advances, highlighted programme activities undertaken in amounting to $25.7 million. the context of the United Nations Volunteers(see

YUN01—REPROS—cxs JUNE 17 2003 Humanitarian and special economic assistance 827 p. 814) and White Helmets Commission partner- identified and trained homogeneous teams available to ship. the United Nations, in support of immediate relief, re- (For information on the International Year of habilitation, reconstruction and development activi- Volunteers, see p. 814.) ties, in the light of the increasing number, growing magnitude and complexity of natural disasters and other emergencies; GENERAL ASSEMBLY ACTION On 14 December [meeting 87], the General As- 5. Calls upon Member States to promote the facilita- tion of cooperative actions between the United Nations [draft: A/56/ sembly adopted resolution 56/102 system and civil society, through national volunteer L.50 & Add.1] without vote [agenda item 20 (d)]. corps, in order to strengthen the United Nations Participation of volunteers, “White Helmets”, capacities for early and effective response to humani- in the activities of the United Nations in the tarian emergencies, and invites them to make the com- field of humanitarian relief, rehabilitation mensurate financial resources available through the and technical cooperation for development special financing window of the Special Voluntary The General Assembly, Fund of the United Nations Volunteers, or in Reaffirming its resolutions 50/19 of 28 November coordination with it; 1995, 52/171 of 16 December 1997 and 54/98 of 8 De- 6. Encourages MemberStatesto identifyand support cember 1999, their respective national focal points for the White Hel- Reaffirming also its resolutions 46/182 of 19 Decem- mets in order to continue to provide the United Nations ber 1991, 47/168 of 22 December 1992, 48/57 of 14De- system with an accessible global network of rapid re- cember 1993, 49/139 A and B of 20 December 1994, sponsefacilitiesincaseofhumanitarianemergencies; 50/57of 12 December 1995 and 51/194of 17December 1996 and Economic and Social Council resolutions 7. Recognizes with appreciation the progress made by 1995/56 of 28 July 1995 and 1996/33 of 25 July 1996, theStatesmembersoftheCommonMarketoftheSouth Recognizing that recent events emphasize the need andassociatedpartnersinthestrengtheningandbroad- for the international community, in addressing the ening of the White Helmets humanitarian assistance growing magnitude and complexity of natural disasters concept within a regional framework, and encourages and other humanitarian emergencies, to rely not only Member States in other regional associations to con- on the formulation of a well-coordinated global re- sider implementing that concept in their efforts aimed sponse within the framework of the United Nations but at extending humanitarian assistance cooperation; also on the promotion of a smooth transition from relief 8. Invites Member States, international financial to rehabilitation, reconstruction and development, institutions, regional organizations and the United Recalling that prevention, preparedness and contin- Nations system to consider ways and means to ensure gency planning for emergencies at the global level the integration of the White Helmets initiative into depend, for the most part, on the strengthened local their programme activities, particularly those related and national response capacities as well as on the avail- to humanitarian and disaster relief assistance; ability of financial resources, both domestic and inter- national, 9. Invites the Secretary-General, on the basis of the 1. Takes note of the report of the Secretary-General, experience acquired, to consider further the potential prepared in pursuance of its resolution 54/98 on the use of White Helmets as a resource for preventing and participation of volunteers, “White Helmets”, in activi- mitigating the effects of emergencies and post-conflict ties of the United Nations in the field of humanitarian humanitarian emergencies and, in this context, to relief, rehabilitation and technical cooperation for de- maintain an adequate structure for the White Helmets velopment; liaison functions, taking into account the outgoing re- 2. Encourages voluntary national and regional ac- forms process; tions aimed at making available to the United Nations 10. Recommends that the Secretary-General encour- system, through the United Nations Volunteers and age relevant agencies of the United Nations system to other agencies, national volunteer corps such as the explore opportunities for collaboration with White White Helmets on a standby basis, in accordance with Helmets, taking into account the success of coordi- accepted United Nations procedures and practices, nated actions carried out, inter alia, with the United in order to provide specialized human and technical Nations Children’s Fund, the World Food Programme, resources for emergency relief and rehabilitation; the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Af- 3. Expresses its appreciation for the commendable progress of the White Helmets initiative as a singular fairs, the United Nations Development Programme voluntary international effort to provide the United and the United Nations Volunteers; Nations system with voluntary expertise to respond, in 11. Requests the Secretary-General to continue the a quick and coordinated manner, to humanitarian re- consideration of the possible strengthening and broad- lief, rehabilitation, reconstruction and development, ening of consultative mechanisms to promote further while preserving the non-political, neutral and impar- and operationalize the concept, as referred to in para- tial character of humanitarian action; graphs 9 and 10 above, and to report to the General As- 4. Recognizes that the White Helmets, in close semblyatitsfifty-eighthsession,undertheitementitled cooperation with the Office for the Coordination of “Strengthening of the coordination of humanitarian Humanitarian Affairs of the Secretariat and as an op- and disaster relief assistance of the United Nations, in- erational partner of the United Nations system, are an cluding special economic assistance”, on the actions efficient and viable mechanism for making pre- taken in conformity with the present resolution.

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Mine clearance year, significant changes were made to the an- In response to General Assembly resolution nual portfolio of mine-related projects, designed 55/120 [YUN 2000, p. 851], the Secretary-General, in for sharing information and mobilizing resources; an October report [A/56/448], presented informa- in an attempt to present the country projects in a tion on key developments, achievements and broader humanitarian and socio-economic con- challenges encountered by the mine-action com- text and to define the UN support strategy for munity in 2001, with an emphasis on cross- each affected region, it included country briefs, cutting issues of concern to all partners, such as intended to help the understanding of the link- global coordination and resource mobilization; ages among individual projects, as well as be- assistance to national and local authorities; emer- tween mine-action projects and other humanita- gency assistance; information management; rian and development activities. In 2001, $1.25 quality control; training and standards; and ad- million was advanced to the Mine Action Service vocacy. Significant progress was made in mine from CERF to support emergency activities in Eri- action over the preceding 12 months, particularly trea and Kosovo. Through the Adopt-A-Minefield in terms of strategic planning, operational sup- campaign, based on a partnership agreement be- port, coordination and information manage- tween the United Nations Development Pro- ment. At the same time, new landmines contin- gramme (UNDP) and the United Nations Associa- ued to be laid in several countries. tion of the United States of America, $2.7 million The UN mine-action policy document, “Mine was transferred to UNDP by the end of May for action and effective coordination: the United clearance tasks in Afghanistan, Bosnia and Her- Nations policy”, which continued to guide UN zegovina, Cambodia, Croatia and Mozambique. agencies and their partners in implementing The campaign grew to include two new satellite their mine-action responsibilities, was further partnerships in Canada and the United King- elaborated in 2001, through the development of a dom. The Database of Mine Action Investments, five-year strategy for UN mine action covering which tracked the flow of resources to mine- the period 2001-2005 [A/56/448/Add.1], intended action programmes, indicated that funding had to turn the policy into concrete action, and the regularly increased over the preceding four completion of the UN policy on information years. Of an estimated $200 million invested in management for mine action, prepared by the mine-action assistance by the international com- Meeting of Mine Action Programme Directors munity annually, about 40 per cent was chan- and Advisers and approved by the Inter-Agency nelled through the UN system and used prima- Coordination Group on Mine Action [A/56/448/ rily to finance field activities. A total of $151 Add.2]. million had been requested for the 2001 port- Global coordination for mine-related activities folio, of which $74million was raised by 30 April. within the UN system was the responsibility of UNDP supported mine-action programmes in the Mine Action Service, which relied on two 16 countries. During the year, new programmes mechanisms, the Inter-Agency Coordination were launched to assist in Albania, Eritrea, Ethio- Group on Mine Action and the Steering Commit- pia, Guinea-Bissau, Lebanon and Thailand, tee on Mine Action. The former was a UN inter- while assistance continued to more established agency forum, while the latter promoted coordi- programmes in Angola, Azerbaijan, Bosnia and nated UN initiatives with those of other partners Herzegovina, Cambodia, Chad, Croatia, the Lao and included the International Committee of the People’s Democratic Republic, Mozambique, So- Red Cross (ICRC), the Geneva International Cen- malia and Yemen. Emergency mine-action assist- tre for Humanitarian Demining, the Interna- ance for southern Lebanon, the temporary secu- tional Campaign to Ban Landmines and other rity zone between Eritrea and Ethiopia, Kosovo, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), in ad- Afghanistan and northern Iraq was channelled dition to UN mine-action entities. At May and through the United Nations. Other areas of con- September meetings, the Steering Committee cern from a humanitarian point of view included addressed the landmine problems in Eritrea and Angola, Burundi, the DRC, the Russian Federa- Kosovo (Federal Republic of Yugoslavia), the tion (Ingushetia), Sri Lanka and the Sudan. emergency response plan, explosive remnants of To handle situations where landmines were an war and the possibility of using a universal mine- obstacle to humanitarian relief efforts and/or action logo in support of advocacy initiatives. peacekeeping deployment, the United Nations The Mine Awareness Working Group, composed developed a plan for a rapid emergency mine- of mine-awareness practitioners, mainly from the action response capability, which focused on early field, but also representing the United Nations, reconnaissance, leading to the establishment of ICRC, NGOs, independent expert bodies and an appropriately configured coordination capac- others, held its first meeting in May. During the ity in the early stages of an emergency and a

YUN01—REPROS—cxs JUNE 17 2003 Humanitarian and special economic assistance 829 range of mine-action capabilities to address the Deemed to Be Excessively Injurious or to Have Indis- immediate threat in each situation. In that con- criminate Effects of a number of provisions of text, mine-action start-up kits were being devel- importance for mine-clearance operations, notably the requirement of detectability,and provision of informa- oped. tion and technical and material assistance necessary to An annex to the report listed contributions by remove or otherwise render ineffective existing mine- donors to the Voluntary Trust Fund for Assist- fields, mines and booby traps, and noting also that ance in Mine Action as at 31 July, which totalled Amended Protocol II to the Convention entered into $79.7 million. force on 3 December 1998, Noting also the conclusions and recommendations GENERAL ASSEMBLY ACTION adopted at the Second Annual Conference of the States Parties to Amended Protocol II to the Convention, held On 21 December [meeting 91], the General As- in Geneva from 11 to 13 December 2000, sembly adopted resolution 56/219 [draft: A/56/ Recalling that the States parties at the First Review L.63/Rev.1 & Add.1] without vote [agenda item 38]. Conference of the States Parties to the Convention de- Assistance in mine action clared their commitment to keep the provisions of the The General Assembly, Protocol under review in order to ensure that the con- Recalling its resolutions 48/7 of 19 October 1993, cerns regarding the weapons it covers are addressed, 49/215 of 23 December 1994, 50/82 of 14 December and that they would encourage the efforts of the 1995, 51/149 of 13 December 1996and 52/173 of 18 De- United Nations and other organizations to address all cember 1997, on assistance in mine clearance, and its problems related to landmines, resolutions 53/26 of 17 November 1998, 54/191 of 17 Noting that the Convention on the Prohibition of December 1999 and 55/120 of 6 December 2000, on the Use, Stockpiling, Production and Transfer of Anti- assistance in mine action, all adopted without a vote, personnel Mines and on Their Destruction entered Considering mine action to be an important compo- into force on 1 March 1999and that the Convention has nent of United Nations humanitarian and develop- been accepted formally by one hundred and twenty-two ment activities, States and signed but not yet ratified by an additional Reaffirming its deep concern at the tremendous hu- twenty States, manitarian and development problems caused by the Noting also the conclusions of the Third Meeting of presence of mines and other unexploded ordnance the States Parties to the Convention, held in Managua that constitute an obstacle to the return of refugees from 18 to 21 September 2001, taking note of the reaf- and other displaced persons, to humanitarian aid op- firmed commitments that were made, among other erations and to reconstruction and economic develop- things, to provide assistance for mine clearance and re- ment, as well as to the restoration of normal social con- habilitation, the social and economic reintegration of ditions, and that have serious and lasting social and mine victims and mine-awareness programmes and to economic consequences for the populations of mine- eradicate anti-personnel mines, and taking note also of affected countries, the work of the intersessional programme established Bearing in mind the serious threat that mines and by States parties to the Convention, other unexploded ordnance pose to the safety, health Stressing the need to convince mine-affected States to and lives of local civilian populations, as well as of per- halt new deployments of anti-personnel mines in order sonnel participating in humanitarian, peacekeeping to ensure the effectiveness and efficiency of mine- and rehabilitation programmes and operations, clearance operations, Reiterating its dismay at the high number of victims of Recognizing the important role that the international mines, especially among civilian populations, includ- community, in particular States involved in the deploy- ing women and children, and recalling in this context ment of mines, can play in assisting mine clearance in Commission on Human Rights resolutions 1995/79 of mine-affected countries by providing necessary maps 8 March 1995, 1996/85 of 24 April 1996, 1997/78 of 18 and information and appropriate technical and mate- April 1997, 1998/76 of 22 April 1998, 1999/80 of 28 rial assistance to remove or otherwise render ineffec- April 1999,2000/85 of 27 April 2000 and 2001/75 of 25 tive existing minefields, mines and booby traps, April 2001, on the rights of the child, and resolutions 1996/27 of 19 April 1996, 1998/31 of 17 April 1998, Concerned at the limited availability of safe and cost- 2000/51 of 25 April 2000 and decision 1997/107 of 11 effective mine-detection and mine-clearance equip- April 1997, on the human rights of persons with dis- ment, as well as the need for effective global co- abilities, ordination in research and development to improve Deeply alarmed by the number of mines that continue the relevant technology, and conscious of the need to to be laid each year, as well as the presence of a large promote further and more rapid progress in this field number of mines and other unexploded ordnance as a and to foster international technical cooperation to this result of armed conflicts, and thus convinced of the ne- end, cessity and urgency of a significant increase in mine- Concerned also at the limited availability of the techni- clearance efforts by the international community with cal, material and financial resources needed to meet a view to eliminating the threat of landmines to civil- the cost associated with mine-clearance activities in ians as soon as possible, mine-affected countries, Noting the inclusion in Amended Protocol II to the Recognizing that, in addition to the primary role of Convention on Prohibitions or Restrictions on the Use States, the United Nations has an important role to play of Certain Conventional Weapons Which May Be in the field of assistance in mine action,

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Reaffirming the need to reinforce international 7. Stresses the importance of international support cooperation in the area of mine action and to devote the for emergency assistance to victims of mines and for necessary resources to that end, the care and rehabilitation and social and economic re- Concerned at the critical financial situation of the integration of the victims, and also stresses that such Mine Action Service of the Department of Peace- assistance should be integrated into broader public keeping Operations of the Secretariat, health and socio-economic strategies; Welcoming the mine-action coordination centres 8. Encourages Governments, relevant United Nations already established under the auspices of the United bodies and other donors to take further action to pro- Nations, as well as the creation of international trust mote gender- and age-appropriate mine-awareness funds for mine clearance and other mine-action activi- programmes, victim assistance and child-centred reha- ties, bilitation, thereby reducing the number of child vic- Noting with satisfaction the inclusion in the mandates tims and relieving their plight; of several peacekeeping operations of provisions relat- 9. Emphasizes again the important role of the United ing to mine-action work carried out under the direction Nations in the effective coordination of mine-action ac- of the Department of Peacekeeping Operations, in the tivities, including those by regional organizations, and context of such operations, especially the role of the Mine Action Service of the De- Commending the action already taken by the United partment of Peacekeeping Operations of the Secreta- Nations system, donor and recipient Governments, the riat, and stresses the need for the continuous assess- International Committee of the Red Cross and non- ment of this role by the General Assembly; governmental organizations to coordinate their efforts 10. Emphasizes in this regard the role of the Mine Ac- and seek solutions to the problems related to the pres- tion Service as the focal point for mine action within ence of mines and other unexploded ordnance, as well the United Nations system and its ongoing collabora- as their assistance to victims of mines, tion with and coordination of all the mine-related ac- Welcoming the role of the Secretary-General in in- tivities of the United Nations agencies, funds and pro- creasing public awareness of the problem of land- grammes; mines, 11. Notes with appreciation the mine-action strategy 1. Takes note with appreciation of the report of the covering the period 2001-2005 submitted by the Secretary-General on assistance in mine action; Secretary-General, requests him to optimize it by seek- 2. Calls, in particular, for the continuation of the ing and taking into account the views of Member States efforts of the United Nations, with the assistance of and taking into consideration the impact of the land- States and institutions as appropriate, to foster the es- mine problem on rehabilitation, reconstruction and tablishment of mine-action capacities in countries development, with a view to ensuring the effectiveness where mines constitute a serious threat to the safety, of assistance in mine action by the United Nations, em- health and lives of the local population or an impedi- phasizes in this respect the importance of further ment to social and economic development efforts at the multisectoral assessments and surveys better to define national and local levels, emphasizes the importance of the nature, scope and impact of the landmine problem developing national mine-action capacities, and urges in affected countries and to support the establishment all Member States, in particular those that have the of clear priorities and national plans of action, notes capacity to do so, to assist mine-affected countries in with appreciation in this regard the ongoing develop- the establishment and development of national capaci- ment by the United Nations of International Mine Ac- ties in mine clearance, mine awareness and victim tion Standards to support the safe and effective conduct assistance; of mine-action activities, emphasizes the need for an in- 3. Invites Member States to develop and support clusive process to be followed in the development of national programmes, in cooperation with the relevant such standards, and encourages the Secretary-General bodies of the United Nations system where appropri- to circulate the completed standards as a United ate, to promote awareness of landmines, especially Nations document to all Member States; among women and children; 12. Takes note with appreciation of the Information 4. Expresses its appreciation to Governments, regional Management Policy for Mine Action submitted by the organizations and other donors for their financial and Secretary-General, and emphasizes in this context the in-kind contributions to mine action, including contri- importance of developing a comprehensive informa- butions for emergency operations and for national tion management system for mine action, following capacity-building programmes; an inclusive process, under the overall coordination of 5. Appeals to Governments, regional organizations the Mine Action Service and with the support of the and other donors to continue, and whenever possible Geneva International Centre for Humanitarian increase, their support to mine action through further Demining, in order to facilitate the coordination of contributions, including contributions through the field activities and the setting of priorities therein; Voluntary Trust Fund for Assistance in Mine Action, to 13. Welcomes in this respect the development of an allow for the timely delivery of mine-action assistance Electronic Mine Information Network to support the in emergency situations; role of the United Nations as a repository of mine- 6. Encourages all relevant multilateral and national related information and to serve as a gateway to all rele- programmes and bodies to include, in coordination vant data made available by Member States and with the United Nations, activities related to mine regional, governmental and non-governmental organi- action in their humanitarian, rehabilitation, recon- zations and foundations for mine action; struction and development assistance activities, where 14 . Also welcomes recent approaches with regard to appropriate, bearing in mind the need to ensure na- the establishment of mine-action coordination centres, tional ownership, sustainability and capacity-building; encourages the further establishment of such centres,

YUN01—REPROS—cxs JUNE 17 2003 Humanitarian and special economic assistance 831 especially in emergency situations, and also encour- 23. Also invites the Secretary-General further to ages States to support the activities of mine-action study ways and means of increasing public awareness coordination centres and trust funds established to co- of the impact of the problem of landmines and other ordinate assistance in mine action under the auspices unexploded ordnance on affected countries and to of the Mine Action Service; present options to this effect to the General Assembly; 15. Encourages the ongoing development of an 24. Decides to include in the provisional agenda of emergency response plan by the United Nations to re- its fifty-seventh session the item entitled “Assistance in spond to emergency mine-action requirements, and mine action”. emphasizes the need for such a plan to build upon all existing capacities; 16. Urges Member States and regional, governmen- Humanitarian activities tal and non-governmental organizations and foun- dations to continue to extend full assistance and cooperation to the Secretary-General and, in particu- Africa lar, to provide him with information and data, as well as other appropriate resources that could be useful in Angola strengthening the coordination role of the United Nations in mine action, in particular in the fields of The UN Consolidated Inter-Agency Appeal mine awareness, training, surveying, detection and for Angola, launched in 2000 for a total of $226 clearance, scientific research on mine-detection and million to cover January to December 2001, was mine-clearance technology and information on and revised during the year to $233.2 million. Some distribution of medical equipment and supplies; 50 per cent ($116.6 million) was met. 17. Emphasizes in this regard the importance of re- The general humanitarian situation in Angola cording the location of mines, of retaining all such rec- ords and making them available to concerned parties did not improve during 2001. Displacement upon cessation of hostilities, and welcomes the reached triple projected levels and resettlement strengthening of the relevant provisions in interna- stagnated, putting further strain on over- tional law; stretched emergency programmes. Food security 18. Calls upon Member States, especially those that worsened for many vulnerable populations, in have the capacity to do so, to provide the necessary in- terms of both availability and access to food, as a formation and technical, financial and material assist- result of factors that included late and irregular ance, as appropriate, and to locate, remove, destroy or otherwise render ineffective existing minefields, rains, lack of suitable land and inputs, and de- mines, booby traps and other devices in accordance clining living standards. Guerrilla and counter- with international law, as soon as possible; insurgency warfare had a serious impact on civil- 19 . Urges Member States and regional, intergovern- ians living in militarily contested areas, and mental and non-governmental organizations and foun- widespread insecurity affected the delivery of dations that have the ability to do so to provide, as humanitarian assistance. By year’s end, despite appropriate, technological assistance to mine-affected numerous widespread emergency interventions, countries and to promote scientific research and devel- noticeable improvements in humanitarian con- opment on humanitarian mine-action techniques and technology so that mine-action activities may be carried ditions occurred for only a few population out more effectively at lower costs and through safer groups. OCHA launched a further consolidated means and to promote international collaboration in inter-agency appeal covering 2002. this regard; 20. Encourages Member States and regional, inter- Eritrea governmental and non-governmental organizations and foundations to continue to support ongoing activi- The UN Consolidated Inter-Agency Appeal ties to promote appropriate technology, as well as inter- for Eritrea, which was launched in February, ini- national operational and safety standards for humani- tially sought $157.5 million. That amount was re- tarian mine-action activities; vised to $133.2 million in October. The donor 21. Requests the Secretary-General to submit to the community covered 60 per cent ($79.9 million) of General Assembly at its fifty-seventh session a report the requirements. on the progress achieved on all relevant issues outlined both in his previous reports to the Assembly on assist- Following the arrival of the peacekeepers of ance in mine clearance and mine action and in the pres- the United Nations Mission in Ethiopia and Eri- ent resolution, including the progress made by the In- trea in late 2000 [YUN 2000, p. 174] and the establish- ternational Committee of the Red Cross and other ment of a Temporary Security Zone along the international and regional organizations as well as na- southern border with Ethiopia (see p. 195), thou- tional programmes, and on the operation of the Volun- sands of internally displaced persons began to re- tary Trust Fund for Assistance in Mine Action and other mine-action programmes; turn to their home areas from camps. During 22. Invites the Secretary-General to continue to 2001, thousands of Eritrean refugees, some of study how to secure a more sound financial basis for the whom had spent the last 20 to 30 years in neigh- Mine Action Service and to present options to this bouring countries, also returned. Although effect to the General Assembly; many parts of the country received good rains,

YUN01—REPROS—cxs JUNE 17 2003 832 Economic and social questions drought continued to affect more than 524,000 form of volcanic or seismic activity in the vicinity persons as at mid-September. Significant pro- of Lake Kivu. Across the region, the needs of vul- gress was made in stabilizing the humanitarian nerable populations remained acute. Some situation of the most vulnerable groups through 1,130,458 people from the region were refugees, the implementation of emergency relief inter- and a further 3,012,925 were displaced within ventions to internally displaced persons in their own countries. However, not only those camps, returned refugees and other war- and populations were at risk; host communities faced drought-affected communities. A further con- additional demands on their own meagre re- solidated appeal was launched to cover assistance sources, livelihoods were threatened by insecu- requirements for 2002. rity, and access to the most basic social services, such as health and education, was limited. A fur- Ethiopia ther appeal was launched to cover humanitarian needs in the region in 2002. The total funding requirements for the 2001 UN Consolidated Inter-Agency Appeal for Burundi Ethiopia, launched in February and totalling $203.3 million, was revised later in the year to The UN Consolidated Inter-Agency Appeal $250.8 million. Some 40.8 per cent ($102 million) for Burundi, covering January to December 2001, was received. which, when launched in 2000, sought $102 mil- lion, was revised in May 2001 to $111.5 million. In addition to the border conflict with Eritrea Some 47.8per cent ($53.3 million) of that amount (see p. 191), lingering internal localized conflicts was met. in Ethiopia had an overall negative effect on eco- The plight of 432,000 Burundians in internal nomic and development efforts. Furthermore, displacement sites continued to dominate the hu- Ethiopia, one of the world’s poorest countries, manitarian agenda. In addition, assistance was was subject to drastic weather patterns, which in- needed for 200,000 displaced persons, surviving cluded cyclical periods of drought and regular under ad hoc arrangements, making the delivery onsets of heavy rain. It was also periodically sub- of assistance more difficult. More than 380,000 ject to pest infestations and seasonal peaks of had sought refuge in neighbouring countries, communicable diseases. In 2001, a significant mainly the United Republic of Tanzania.Follow- portion of the war-affected population in the ing persistent drought since 1998,food insecurity north returned home, with the exception of remained high. An unprecedented malaria epi- those in areas where landmines and property demic, with 1 million cases reported at its height damage hindered a return. However, the in November 2000, also reached high-altitude re- drought-affected caseload, notably the assumed gions of the country, where natural resistance 80,000 drought-displaced as well as those dis- was low. Transmission of HIV and other infec- persed from refugee camps in the Somali region, tious diseases continued to rise. Although the remained significant and required further assist- proposed Transitional Government in Burundi, ance. A further appeal was launched to assist the scheduled to take office on 1 November, was a country in 2002. significant step forward (see p. 151), the security situation remained volatile, with a general in- Great Lakes region and Central Africa crease in armed banditry and continued fighting The UN Consolidated Inter-Agency Appeal in traditional zones of insecurity, particularly in for the Great Lakes region and Central Africa, areas close to the Tanzanian border; humanita- launched in 2000 and covering January to De- rian actors had irregular access to those areas. An cember 2001, sought a total of $475.7 million appeal was launched for assistance in 2002. ($28.1 million for the regional appeal itself, and $448 million for Burundi, the Congo, the DRC, Congo (Republic of the) Uganda and the United Republic of Tanzania). Within the UN Consolidated Inter-Agency There was no appeal for Rwanda in 2001. Of the Appeal for the Great Lakes region and Central total sought, $248.2 million, or 52.2 per cent, was Africa covering January to December 2001, an ap- received as at October. peal was launched for the Republic of the Congo Despite some positive political developments totalling $32.5 million, of which 37.2 per cent in the Great Lakes region, the humanitarian ($12.1 million) was received. situation continued to be of serious concern. In A UN Plan for 2001-2002 assessed the status of addition to the complex political and military en- development in the Congo and listed the goals vironment (see p. 115), it continued to be plagued that the UN country team had set to respond to by chronic drought and flooding, and the possi- the situation. In order to support the population bility of sudden-onset natural disaster in the directly and provide capacity-building assistance

YUN01—REPROS—cxs JUNE 17 2003 Humanitarian and special economic assistance 833 to consolidate peace and reduce poverty, the tries. Against that backdrop, 717,532 refugees, goals were to: revive productive and income- displaced persons and drought victims remained generating activities; re-establish basic social in camps, without sufficient land, shelter, in- services and infrastructure; meet emergency come and other basic rights. Some 5,950 ab- needs and establish early warning systems; and ducted children remained missing. In addition support efforts to promote democracy and hu- to funding shortfalls, planning, implementation man rights. The team also drew up a common and monitoring of emergency and recovery humanitarian action plan that comprised scaled- assistance were constrained by the lack of govern- down emergency assistance (should stabilization ment policy and strategy concerning the status within the country continue), a continued pres- and rights of displaced Ugandan citizens, daily ence for early warning and potential resurgence security incidents in Katakwi, Karamoja and of humanitarian needs, and refugee assistance. other affected areas, heightened security risks to staff, vehicles and equipment due to repeated Democratic Republic of the Congo rebel incursions in Gulu, Kitgum, Adjumani, The UN Consolidated Inter-Agency Appeal Yumbe, Moyo, Bundibugyo, Kasesse and Kaba- for the DRC, issued in 2000, which sought $139.5 role and attacks by Karamojong warriors on million to cover January to December 2001, was neighbouring districts in Katakwi, Soroti and revised in September to $122.9 million. Assist- Kumi, and military escorts for convoys that were ance covering 66.7 per cent ($82 million) of that irregular due to lack of fuel supplies, armoured amount was received. vehicles and personnel. A further appeal was Political developments and the military disen- launched to cover 2002. gagement observed in the DRC since January (see p. 117) did not lead to significant improvements United Republic of Tanzania in the dire humanitarian situation. Humanita- The UN Consolidated Inter-Agency Appeal rian space shrank along the eastern borders as a for the United Republic of Tanzania,launched in result of renewed fighting and overwhelming 2000, which sought $110.4 million for January to distrust between protagonists of all sides. How- December 2001, received funding to cover 82.2 ever, civilians in the relatively peaceful central per cent ($91 million) of requirements. and western areas awaited economic and institu- Tanzania continued to receive refugees from tional reconstruction. In other areas, expanded Burundi and the DRC, as well as small numbers access as a follow-up to disengagement from the from Rwanda. However, the overall refugee conventional lines brought NGOs and agencies caseload dropped from 543,145 to 509,655, as a closer to displaced and hosting communities. In result of a re-registration exercise undertaken in eastern DRC, the killing in April of six ICRC relief September. workers in Ituri and the massive influx of armed forces in May in areas of the Kivu provinces lim- ited the activities of humanitarian agencies and Somalia led to an increased recourse to air interventions. In response to General Assembly resolution A further appeal was launched to cover 2002. 55/168 [YUN 2000, p. 860], the Secretary-General, In December (resolution 56/100) (see p. 852), in a September report [A/56/389], reviewed the the General Assembly requested the Secretary- current situation in Somalia and the humanita- General to keep under review the economic situa- rian and rehabilitation assistance provided by the tion in the DRC with a view to promoting partici- United Nations and its partners over the preced- pation in and support for a programme of finan- ing year. cial and material assistance to enable the country Somalia’s long history of civil strife and eco- to meet its urgent needs in terms of economic re- nomic stratification had resulted in some of the covery and reconstruction. world’s highest rates of mortality, morbidity and malnutrition. The socio-political map remained Uganda divided between the relatively stable environ- The Consolidated Inter-Agency Appeal for ments in north-west and north-east Somalia and Uganda, launched in 2000, which sought $78.7 insecurity in the south (see p. 207), where civil- million for January to December 2001, was re- ians still suffered intermittent violence and the vised in September to $80 million. The donor continuing instability restricted aid program- community met 43.2 per cent ($33.5 million) of ming. Over the preceding year, emergency con- requirements. ditions across the country abated significantly, In 2001, several initiatives were under way in owing to positive environmental conditions and Uganda to reconcile internal differences and good harvests. However, gains were insufficient seek rapprochement with neighbouring coun- to break the seasonal cycle of boom and bust for

YUN01—REPROS—cxs JUNE 17 2003 834 Economic and social questions

poor and middle-income households. During of movement in and around Mogadishu and other the period under review, more than $100 million parts of Somalia, had been disbursed in aid (some $50 million Recalling further the statement by the President of the Security Council of 31October 2001, in which the Secu- through the UN system). UN agencies had rity Council reiterated its support for the outcome of adopted a humanitarian development strategy to the Somalia National Peace Conference, held in Arta, increase access to essential social services and Republic of Djibouti, and the establishment of the build an enabling environment for peace and rec- Transitional National Assembly and the Transitional onciliation. However, Somalia remained one of National Government, and encouraged the Govern- the most difficult operating environments in the ment to continue, in the spirit of constructive dialogue, world, with restricted and unpredictable access the process of engaging all groups in the country, in- owing to insecurity, the lack of presence of inter- cluding in the north-eastern and north-western areas, with a view to preparing for the installation of perma- national partners in much of southern and cen- nent governance arrangements through the demo- tral Somalia, limited or late funding, and com- cratic process, munity expectations and needs that heavily Noting the cooperation between the United Nations, outweighed the capacity of many agencies. The the Organization of African Unity, the League of Arab Secretary-General described activities under- States, the European Union, the Organization of the Is- taken by the UN system in the areas of food secu- lamic Conference, the countries members of the Inter- rity and rural development, health services and governmental Authority on Development and its Part- ners Forum, the Movement of Non-Aligned Countries nutrition, water facilities and sanitation, educa- and others in their efforts to resolve the humanitarian, tion, human rights and gender, repatriation and security and political crisis in Somalia, and bearing in reintegration, economic development and mind the respect for the sovereignty, territorial integ- coordination, and UN staff security. The rity and unity of Somalia, Secretary-General stated that the international Noting with appreciation the continued efforts made community would continue efforts to ensure a co- by the Secretary-General to assist the Somali people in ordinated political and aid approach in Somalia their efforts to promote peace, stability and national allowing for humanitarian access and neutrality. reconciliation, Commending the initiative of the President of the Re- The UN Consolidated Inter-Agency Appeal public of Djibouti aimed at restoring peace and stabil- for Somalia, launched in 2000, which requested ity in Somalia, and noting with appreciation the efforts $129.6 million to cover the period January to De- of the Government and people of Djibouti in hosting cember 2001, was revised to $140.4 million. Of and facilitating the Somalia National Peace Confer- that amount, 21.7 per cent ($30.5 million) was ence, met. A further consolidated appeal was issued for Welcoming the outcome of the Arta peace process, led by Djibouti and sponsored by the Intergovernmental 2002. Authority on Development, which provides for the es- tablishment of a transitional national parliament and GENERAL ASSEMBLY ACTION the formation of a transitional national government, On 14 December [meeting 87], the General As- Noting with appreciation that the mandate provided in the three-year transitional national charter emphasizes sembly adopted resolution 56/106 [draft: A/56/ priorities, including reconciliation, demobilization of L.54 & Add.1] without vote [agenda item 20 (b)]. armed militia, restitution of properties to their lawful Assistance for humanitarian relief and the economic owners, holding of a national census, formulation of a and social rehabilitation of Somalia new constitution, democratization, rehabilitation, re- covery and reconstruction, The General Assembly, Welcoming the efforts of the Transitional National Recalling its resolutions 47/160of 18December 1992, Government of Somalia to promote national recon- 48/201 of 21 December 1993, 49/21 L of 20 December ciliation within Somalia, recognizing that progress has 1994, 50/58 G of 20 December 1995, 51/30 G of 13 De- been achieved in some regions in re-establishing eco- cember 1996,52/169 L of 16 December 1997, 53/1 M of nomic and administrative stability,and urging the Gov- 8 December 1998, 54/96 D of 8 December 1999 and ernment, political and traditional leaders and factions 55/168 of 14 December 2000 as well as the resolutions to make every effort to complete, without precondi- and decisions of the Economic and Social Council on tions, the peace and reconciliation process through dia- emergency assistance to Somalia, logue and the involvement of all parties in a spirit of Recalling also Security Council resolution 733(1992) mutual accommodation and tolerance, of 23 January 1992 and all subsequent relevant resolu- Noting with concern that the lack of effective civil in- tions, in which the Council, inter alia, urged all parties, stitutions in Somalia continues to impede sustained movements and factions in Somalia to facilitate the comprehensive development and that, while the envi- efforts of the United Nations, the specialized agencies ronment has become more conducive to some recon- and humanitarian organizations to provide urgent hu- struction and development-oriented work in certain manitarian assistance to the affected population in parts of the country, the humanitarian and security Somalia, and reiterated the call for the full respect of situation has remained fragile in other parts, the security and safety of the personnel of those or- Reaffirming its support for the joint strategy for tar- ganizations and guarantee of their complete freedom geted assistance of the United Nations system that is

YUN01—REPROS—cxs JUNE 17 2003 Humanitarian and special economic assistance 835 focused on the rehabilitation and reconstruction of ordination and cooperation mechanisms available for infrastructure and on sustainable community-based the implementation of relief, rehabilitation and recon- activities, as well as for the importance it attaches to struction programmes; the need for effective coordination and cooperation 5. Notes with appreciation the holistic and prioritized among the United Nations agencies and their partners, approach of the United Nations system to addressing Taking note of the report of the Secretary-General, the continuing crisis in some parts of Somalia, while Deeply appreciative of the humanitarian assistance making long-term commitments to rehabilitation, re- and rehabilitation support rendered by a number of covery and development activities in more stable parts; States and relevant organizations to alleviate the hard- 6. Emphasizes the principle that the Somali people ship and suffering of the affected Somali population, have the primary responsibility for their own develop- Recognizing that, while the humanitarian situation ment and for the sustainability of rehabilitation and re- remains fragile in some parts of Somalia, there is a construction assistance programmes, and reaffirms the need to continue the ongoing rehabilitation and recon- importance it attaches to the creation of workable ar- struction process alongside the national reconciliation rangements for collaboration between the United process, without prejudice to the provision of emer- Nations system and its partner organizations and their gency relief assistance wherever and whenever re- Somali counterparts for the effective execution of reha- quired, as security allows, bilitation and development activities in those parts of Noting with appreciation that the prospects for human- the country in which peace and security prevail; itarian, rehabilitation and development activities have 7. Urges all States and intergovernmental and non- been more favourable in some parts of the country, ow- governmental organizations concerned to continue to ing to the formation of stronger administrative struc- implement further its resolution 47/160 in order to tures, the commitment shown to re-establishing the assist the Somali people in embarking on the rehabili- rule of law in general and the leadership shown by tation of basic social and economic services, as well as some regional authorities and by civil society groups in institution-building aimed at the restoration of civil attempting to establish an inclusive alternative to the administration at all levels in all parts of the country in faction-ridden past of Somalia, which peace and security prevail; Noting with appreciation also the efforts of the United Nations system aimed at working directly with Somali 8. Strongly urges all political groups in Somalia, in communities at the local level, whenever possible, and particular those which have remained outside the Arta emphasizing the need for coordination with the Tran- peace process, to participate in the ongoing peace pro- sitional National Government and with local and re- cess and to establish a constructive dialogue with the gional authorities, Transitional National Government in order to achieve Welcoming the continued focus of the United national reconciliation that allows for transition from Nations, in partnership with Somali elders, other local relief to reconstruction and development and pre- leaders and skilled local counterparts at the grass-roots serves economic and administrative progress achieved level, concerned Somali organizations and profession- in many regions; als in the diaspora and non-governmental organiza- 9. Calls upon all parties, individual political leaders tions, on a programme of assistance, including both and factions in Somalia to respect fully the security and humanitarian and developmental approaches, given safety of personnel of the United Nations and the spe- the varying conditions in different areas, cialized agencies and of non-governmental organiza- Re-emphasizing the importance of the further imple- tions, and to guarantee their complete freedom of mentation of its resolution 47/160 to rehabilitate basic movement and safe access throughout Somalia; social and economic services at the local and regional 10. Calls upon the Secretary-General to continue to levels throughout the country, mobilize international humanitarian, rehabilitation 1. Expresses its gratitude for the further implementa- and reconstruction assistance for Somalia; tion of its resolution 47/160 to rehabilitate basic social 11. Calls upon the international community to pro- and economic services at the local and regional levels vide continuing and increased assistance in response to throughout the country; the United Nations Consolidated Inter-Agency Appeal 2. Expresses its appreciation to the Secretary-General for relief, rehabilitation and reconstruction assistance for his continued and tireless efforts to mobilize assist- for Somalia; ance to the Somali people; 12. Requests the Secretary-General, in view of the 3. Welcomes the ongoing efforts of the United critical situation in Somalia, to take all necessary meas- Nations, the Organization of African Unity, the ures for the implementation of the present resolution League of Arab States, the European Union, the Or- and to report thereon to the General Assembly at its ganization of the Islamic Conference, the countries fifty-seventh session. members of the Intergovernmental Authority on De- velopment and its Partners Forum, the Movement of Non-Aligned Countries and others to contribute posi- Sudan tively to the reconciliation process in Somalia; In response to General Assembly resolution 4. Also welcomes the strategy of the United Nations 54/96 J [YUN 1999, p. 836], the Secretary-General, focusing on the implementation of community-based in a September report [A/56/412], reviewed the interventions aimed at rebuilding local infrastructures and increasing the self-reliance of the local population, situation in the Sudan and described humanita- and the ongoing efforts by the United Nations agen- rian assistance provided by the United Nations cies, their Somali counterparts and their partner or- and its partners during the period 15 July 1999to ganizations to establish and maintain close co- 15 July 2001.

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Ongoing armed conflict between the military Bearing in mind its resolution 55/175 of 19 December forces of the parties to the conflict and their al- 2000 on the safety and security of humanitarian per- lied militias, both in the south and in the so- sonnel and protection of United Nations personnel, Welcoming agreed conclusions 1998/1 of the Eco- called transitional zone between the northern nomic and Social Council, adopted by the Council at and southern parts of the country, continued to the humanitarian segment of its substantive session of threaten already fragile coping mechanisms 1998, in which, among other things, the Council reaf- among communities. The humanitarian situa- firmed that international cooperation to address emer- tion for the war-affected and the displaced was gency situations should be provided in accordance with compounded by natural disasters in many parts international law and national laws, and that the af- of the country. For the war-affected areas of the fected State has the primary role in the initiation, or- south, the principal umbrella and vehicle for the ganization, coordination and implementation of hu- manitarian assistance within its territory, implementation of humanitarian relief activities Welcoming also agreed conclusions 1999/1of the Eco- continued to be the Operation Lifeline Sudan nomic and Social Council, in which the Council ad- (OLS) access agreements, endorsed by the Gov- dressed the theme of “International cooperation and ernment of the Sudan, the rebel Sudan People’s coordinated responses to humanitarian emergencies, Liberation Movement and Liberation Army, and in particular in the transition from relief to rehabili- the United Nations. A network of OCHA field tation, reconstruction and development”, during its coordination offices in key locations throughout second humanitarian segment, Taking note of the report of the Secretary-General on the Sudan, staffed by national field officers, pro- humanitarian assistance to the Sudan, vided overall coordination of the humanitarian Welcoming the decision of the Government of the operation. The Secretary-General’s Special En- Sudan to provide access to the Nuba Mountains and voy for Humanitarian Affairs for the Sudan vis- recent efforts towards its implementation, noting in ited the country four times during the reporting that regard the results of the inter-agency needs- period to discuss the assistance programme, in- assessment mission undertaken by the United Nations, cluding OLS. The Secretary-General described and calling upon all parties to continue to cooperate the security situation and its effect on human- with the United Nations in meeting the needs identi- fied in that assessment, itarian relief efforts, efforts to gain access Noting with concern existing obstacles to the delivery to affected populations, assistance to internally of humanitarian assistance, welcoming the agreements displaced persons, relief food assistance and reached by the parties to Operation Lifeline Sudan, non-food assistance—household food security, among them the Rome protocol, and noting the ar- nutrition and health, water and environmental rangements reached on 15 August 2001 between the sanitation, emergency education, rights, child Government of the Sudan and the United Nations protection and peace-building, and refugee inter-agency mission on the modalities of access for the Operation, aimed at facilitating delivery of relief assistance. He stated that, in view of the situation assistance to affected populations, as well as the pro- in the Sudan, increased humanitarian access, gress made by the Emergency Relief Coordinator and safety and protection of civilians, adequate re- the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian sources and guaranteed security for humanita- Affairs of the Secretariat in strengthening the rian workers remained the core conditions of the coordination of the Operation, assistance programme. Urging United Nations agencies, non-governmental The UN Consolidated Inter-Agency Appeal organizations and donor countries to continue contrib- uting and channelling their humanitarian assistance to for the Sudan, launched in 2000 to solicit $194.2 all affected populations in the Sudan through Opera- million to cover the period January to December tion Lifeline Sudan, 2001, was revised to $252 million. Some 61.8 per Expressing concern at the continued conflict in the cent ($155.7 million) of that amount was received. Sudan and its negative impact on the humanitarian OCHA issued a further appeal for 2002. situation, Noting the ongoing peace efforts under the auspices GENERAL ASSEMBLY ACTION of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development, and the initiative of Egypt and the Libyan Arab Jama- On 14 December [meeting 87], the General As- hiriya for achieving a negotiated and lasting peace in sembly adopted resolution 56/112 [draft: A/56/ the Sudan, L.60 & Add.1] without vote [agenda item 20 (b)]. Noting with appreciation the contributions for the inter-agency appeal for Operation Lifeline Sudan and Emergency assistance to the Sudan the progress made in the Operation, and noting also The General Assembly, that considerable relief needs still remain to be ad- Recalling its resolution 54/96 J of 17December 1999 dressed, including assistance to combat diseases such as and its previous resolutions on emergency assistance to malaria and assistance for logistic needs, emergency the Sudan, recovery, rehabilitation and development, Reaffirming its resolution 46/182 of 19 December Expressing concern at the damaging consequences of 1991 on strengthening of the coordination of humani- floods and drought that have occurred in various parts tarian emergency assistance of the United Nations, of the Sudan in recent years,

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Calling for an early resolution to the conflict, and ex- 8. Welcomes the recent visit, upon invitation from pressing concern that its continuation further in- the Government of the Sudan, of the Special Represen- creases the suffering of the civilian population and tative of the Secretary-General on internally displaced undermines the effectiveness of international, regional persons, as well as the commitment of the Government and national humanitarian assistance, to continue its efforts to address the problem of inter- Reaffirming the need for all parties to continue to nally displaced persons; facilitate the work of humanitarian organizations in 9. Urges the international community to continue to implementing emergency assistance, in particular the support national and international programmes of re- supply of food, medicine, shelter and health care, and habilitation, voluntary resettlement and reintegration to ensure safe and unhindered access to all affected of returnees and internally displaced persons, as well populations, as assistance to refugees; Recognizing the need in emergency situations to 10. Stresses the imperative of ensuring the safety and ensure the smooth transition from relief to rehabilita- security of humanitarian personnel, as well as safe and tion and development so as to reduce dependence on unhindered access for providing relief assistance to all external food aid and other relief services, affected populations, and the importance of strict ob- 1. Acknowledges with appreciation the cooperation servance of the principles and guidelines of Operation by the Government of the Sudan with the United Lifeline Sudan, and of international humanitarian law Nations, including the agreements and arrangements reaffirming the necessity for humanitarian personnel achieved to facilitate relief operations with a view to im- to respect the national laws of the Sudan; proving the conditions for United Nations assistance to 11. the need for a peaceful resolution to the population in the affected areas, encourages the Recognizes the conflict, and urges the parties to work towards that continuation of that cooperation, and calls upon all end; parties to the conflict to agree to comprehensive and permanent humanitarian ceasefire arrangements in 12. Urges all parties involved to continue to offer order to ensure the delivery of relief assistance; all feasible and necessary assistance, including facilitat- 2. Expresses its appreciation to the donor community, ing the movement of relief supplies and personnel, so United Nations agencies and governmental and non- as to guarantee the success of Operation Lifeline Sudan governmental organizations for the contributions so in all affected parts of the country, with special empha- far made to the humanitarian needs of the Sudan, and sis on national capacity-building in the humanitarian calls upon them to continue their assistance, in particu- field for governmental and non-governmental organi- lar by responding to the consolidated appeal and pro- zations, as well as on meeting emergency relief needs; viding support for programmes in the Nuba Moun- 13. Calls upon all parties to respect international tains; humanitarian law on the protection of civilians during 3. Stresses the need for Operation Lifeline Sudan to times of war, and in that connection condemns attacks be operated and managed with a view to ensuring its against civilians and attacks against and detention of efficiency, transparency and effectiveness, with the full humanitarian personnel, including the incidents lead- involvement and cooperation of the Government of the ing to the deaths of fifteen humanitarian workers in Sudan, taking cognizance of the relevant Operation the last two years, and calls for appropriate investiga- Lifeline Sudan agreements reached by the parties, as tions into all allegations surrounding such incidents; well as consultations in the preparation of the consoli- 14 . Recalls the signing by the Government of the dated annual inter-agency appeal for the Operation; Sudan of the Convention on the Prohibition of the 4. Recognizes the need for Operation Lifeline Sudan Use, Stockpiling, Production and Transfer of Anti- to be conducted in strict adherence to the principles of personnel Mines and on Their Destruction, urges all neutrality and impartiality and within the principles parties to the conflict to desist from using them, calls of national sovereignty and territorial integrity of the upon the international community to refrain from sup- Sudan, and within the framework of international plying mines to the region, and urges the international cooperation, in accordance with the relevant provisions community and United Nations agencies to provide ap- of international law; propriate assistance related to mine action in the 5. Calls upon the international community to con- Sudan; tinue to contribute generously to the emergency needs, 15. Requests the Secretary-General to continue to recovery and development of the Sudan, and urges mobilize and coordinate resources and support for all parties to the conflict to facilitate the achievement of Operation Lifeline Sudan, and to report to the General those objectives; Assembly at its fifty-eighth session on the emergency 6. Urges the international community to give assist- situation in the affected areas and the recovery, reha- ance for the rehabilitation of transportation means bilitation and development of the Sudan. and infrastructure vital for the provision of relief sup- plies in the Sudan and their cost-effectiveness, and in that context stresses the importance of continued West Africa cooperation by all the parties involved so as to facilitate The UN Consolidated Inter-Agency Appeal and improve the delivery of relief supplies; for West Africa, issued in March to cover January 7. Calls upon the donor community and the organi- to December 2001 for a total of $65 million to zations of the United Nations system to provide finan- cial, technical and medical assistance, guided by the assist Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone in par- actions called for by the General Assembly in its rele- ticular and the subregion in general, was revised vant resolutions, to combat such diseases as malaria to $62 million. The donor community covered 32 and other epidemics in the Sudan; per cent ($19.7 million) of that amount.

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In early 2001, the West African subregion, in- Alert (below). Some $150 million (45.1 per cent) cluding Côte d’Ivoire, Guinea, Liberia and Sierra of the Consolidated Appeal’s requirements were Leone, continued to be battered by escalating met. political and economic instability. Insecurity in On 4 September, the United Nations and its the border areas of the Mano River Union States partners issued a report entitled “The deepening (Guinea, Liberia, Sierra Leone) (see p. 159) crisis”, which was a plan of action to support criti- caused further displacement of refugees, and cally vulnerable Afghans for the upcoming win- their sudden return to already overcrowded host ter period and beyond. It highlighted the needs communities and camps for internally displaced of 5 million people who were already affected by persons in Sierra Leone. The emergence of in- three years of drought and many years of fight- ternally displaced persons and vulnerable host ing, as well as a huge human rights deficit (see communities had compounded Guinea’s refugee p. 712). Assistance included food distribution, burden. Ethnic polarization, cross-border insur- shelter assistance in camps for internally dis- gency and economic stagnation in Liberia had placed persons and assistance to help people to left the population impoverished and vulnerable. stay in their homes. In view of the rapidly deterio- In Côte d’Ivoire, a tense political and ethnic envi- rating humanitarian situation in Afghanistan, ronment continued to trigger the exodus of for- following the events of 11 September (see p. 60), eigners, most of them migrant workers from the United Nations and its partners developed a Burkina Faso and Mali. Increasingly complex Donor Alert to support an inter-agency emer- and massive displacement patterns, related secu- gency humanitarian assistance plan for Afghans rity risks for both the humanitarian actors and in Afghanistan and in neighbouring countries, beneficiaries, and lack of humanitarian access which replaced the 2001 Consolidated Appeal on rendered humanitarian assistance efforts expen- 27 September. The plan, which presented a new sive and of limited impact. Although there were a set of requirements linked to recent events and number of positive political movements towards possible future developments in Afghanistan the end of the year, the situation in the subregion (see p. 255), covered the period from October remained volatile. OCHA launched a further ap- 2001 to March 2002 and sought $584 million to peal to cover 2002. ensure the delivery of humanitarian assistance and protection programmes for up to 7.5 million Sierra Leone Afghans. The Donor Alert was later revised to The UN Consolidated Inter-Agency Appeal $662 million, of which 75 per cent, or $496 mil- for Sierra Leone, which originally requested lion, was met. $78.1 million to cover January to December 2001, Report of Secretary-General. In response to was revised to $74.2million. Of that amount, 80.2 General Assembly resolution 55/174 B [YUN 2000, per cent ($60 million) was received. p. 864], the Secretary-General, in a December re- The significant progress made in the peace port [A/56/687], described developments in Af- process in Sierra Leone (see p. 163), particularly ghanistan during the period 1 July 2000 to 30 through the disarmament and demobilization June 2001 and the assistance provided by the UN programme, altered the operating environment system and its partners. for humanitarian operations. Increased security The Secretary-General stated that the human- enabled the resettlement of some 45,000 inter- itarian situation had become increasingly alarm- nally displaced persons and permitted the deliv- ing as a result of the effects of a severe drought, ery of essential humanitarian assistance. How- significant human rights abuses and the continu- ever, the deterioration of the situation in ing conflict in 17of the 28 provinces in the coun- neighbouring Guinea and Liberia led to the pre- try. Relations with the Taliban authorities had mature repatriation of Sierra Leonean refugees, been characterized by a series of adverse develop- who remained displaced within the country. ments since early 2001, including the arrests of OCHA issued a further appeal for 2002. humanitarian staff. The economy continued to be constrained by the war and political crisis. The Secretary-General described efforts by the UN Asia system and its partners to provide assistance for food aid and security, health, water and sanita- Afghanistan tion, education, mine action, food and agricul- The UN Consolidated Appeal for Afghani- ture, rural and urban rehabilitation, voluntary stan, launched in 2000 to cover January to De- repatriation, drug control, and human rights and cember 2001 in the amount of $229.2 million, gender issues. He concluded that the overall was revised to $332.6 million. In September, the situation was very serious and, given the scale Consolidated Appeal was replaced by a Donor and magnitude of the food crisis, there was a need

YUN01—REPROS—cxs JUNE 17 2003 Humanitarian and special economic assistance 839 for a concerted international response to avert a Welcoming the timely preparation of operational catastrophe. Moreover, he said, there were huge plans by the United Nations in response to the latest rehabilitation and development needs, which were humanitarian crisis, and affirming the urgent need to reinforce international emergency assistance to Af- only marginally met by the current assistance. ghanistan in order to alleviate the human suffering and restore basic services, GENERAL ASSEMBLY ACTION Recognizing the need to develop and implement a On 21 December [meeting 91], the General As- comprehensive strategy and process for a seamless con- sembly adopted resolution 56/220 B [draft: A/56/ nection between humanitarian relief and the rehabili- L.62 & Add.1] without vote [agenda items 20 (f) and 43]. tation and reconstruction of Afghanistan in a timely manner, with particular emphasis on all aspects of sus- Emergency international assistance for tainable development, including vulnerability reduc- peace, normalcy and reconstruction tion and mitigation, and the promotion of human of war-stricken Afghanistan rights and fundamental freedoms, The General Assembly, Stressing the importance of a well-coordinated ap- Recalling its resolution 55/174 B of 19 December proach to implementing such a strategy, and welcom- 2000 and all its previous relevant resolutions, ing in this respect the appointment of the Special Rep- Strongly welcoming the successful conclusion of the resentative of the Secretary-General for Afghanistan as agreement reached among various Afghan groups in the coordinator for the United Nations system, Bonn, Germany, on 5 December 2001, Noting with deep concern that a significant number of Expressing its grave concern at the decades of conflict Afghan refugees remain in neighbouring countries, as in Afghanistan, which has caused massive loss of life, conditions in many parts of Afghanistan are still not extensive human suffering, destruction of property, conducive to a safe and sustainable return of the major- serious damage to the economic and social infrastruc- ity of refugees, and acknowledging that those refugees ture, refugee flows and other forcible displacements of constitute a continuing socio-economic burden for the large numbers of people, host countries, Mindful of the fact that Afghanistan is highly vul- Expressing its gratitude to all Governments that have nerable to natural disasters and that it is currently rendered assistance to Afghan refugees, as well as to affected by the worst drought in living memory, the Governments of neighbouring countries that con- Remaining deeply concerned at the problem of mil- tinue to host Afghan refugee populations, and at the lions of anti-personnel landmines and unexploded same time once again calling upon all parties to con- ordnance, which constitutes a great danger for the tinue to fulfil their obligations for the protection of civilian population and a major obstacle to the return refugees and internally displaced persons and to allow of refugees and displaced populations, to the resump- international access for their protection and care, tion of agricultural activities, to the provision of hu- Expressing its appreciation to the United Nations manitarian assistance and to future rehabilitation and system and to all States and international and non- reconstruction efforts, governmental organizations that have responded posi- Noting with deep concern that the majority of the Af- tively and continue to respond, where conditions per- ghan people are still unable to enjoy fully their human mit, to the humanitarian needs of Afghanistan, as well rights and fundamental freedoms owing to policies as to the Secretary-General for his efforts in mobilizing and practices, particularly of the Taliban,aimed at dis- and coordinating the delivery of appropriate humani- criminating against or marginalizing parts of the popu- tarian assistance, lation, in particular women and children, a situation 1. Takes note of the report of the Secretary-General, which is exacerbated by the effects of war, poverty and and endorses the observations contained therein; profound underdevelopment, 2. Stresses that the responsibility for the solution of Expressing its deep concern at widespread violations of the humanitarian crisis lies above all with the Afghan international humanitarian and human rights law people themselves, and urges them to attach the high- committed by Afghan groups, and in this regard re- est priority to national reconciliation; minding all Afghan groups of their commitment to 3. Urges all Afghan groups to call a complete halt to respect human rights in the country as contained in the the use of landmines and to cooperate fully with the Bonn agreement, United Nations Mine Action Programme; Deeply disturbed by the continuing security threat 4. Calls upon all relevant organizations of the to humanitarian personnel and United Nations and United Nations system to continue to coordinate associated personnel, including locally recruited staff, closely their humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan Expressing its appreciation to the Afghan staff of the on the basis of the principles laid out in the Strategic United Nations and other humanitarian organiza- Framework for Afghanistan, and appeals to donor tions, who have continued to provide assistance to vul- countries as well as other humanitarian organizations nerable populations throughout the current crisis, to cooperate closely with the United Nations, taking Noting with grave concern that limited access to certain into account the priorities and requirements outlined areas of Afghanistan and inadequate conditions for in the donor alert and subsequent appeals; the delivery of aid threatens the well-being of inter- 5. Stresses the coordinating role of the Special Rep- nally displaced persons and vulnerable sections of the resentative of the Secretary-General for Afghanistan civilian population, for the United Nations system in the development and Recognizing that a secure environment is absolutely implementation of a strategy and process for a seam- necessary for the safe and effective delivery and distri- less connection between humanitarian relief and the bution of humanitarian assistance, rehabilitation and reconstruction of Afghanistan, in-

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cluding the cooperation of the United Nations system efforts in Afghanistan, and emphasizes the importance with the international community, in particular those of actively involving all elements of Afghan society, in countries actively engaged in humanitarian assistance particular women, in the development and implemen- and reconstruction efforts in Afghanistan, as well as tation of relief, rehabilitation and reconstruction pro- the international financial institutions; grammes; 6. Supports the efforts of the Emergency Relief Co- 14 . Calls upon all Afghan groups to respect fully the ordinator in coordinating humanitarian assistance to human rights and fundamental freedoms of all, with- Afghanistan, underlines the continuing relevance of out discrimination of any kind, including on the basis coordination structures in place for Afghanistan, en- of gender, ethnicity or religion, and in accordance with courages agencies to build upon them in response to their obligations under international law, and to pro- the current crisis, and also encourages the humanita- tect and promote the equal rights of women and men; rian community to strengthen the coordination of 15. Urges all Afghan groups to refrain from the re- their assistance to Afghanistan through existing cruitment or use of children in armed conflicts con- mechanisms, including donor coordination through trary to international standards and to take all neces- the Afghan Support Group; sary measures for the demobilization and social 7. Welcomes the designation by the Secretary- reintegration of war-affected children; General of the Administrator of the United Nations 16. Stresses the responsibility of all Afghan groups Development Programme to lead the early recovery to facilitate the provision of efficient and effective efforts in Afghanistan, and invites the relevant United remedies to the victims of grave violations and abuses Nations organizations and agencies, as well as the of human rights and international humanitarian law World Bank, the International Monetary Fund, the and to bring the perpetrators to justice in accordance Islamic Development Bank, the Asian Development with international standards; Bank and relevant non-governmental organizations, to 17. Appeals to all States and to the international com- develop jointly, in close collaboration with the interim munity to ensure that all humanitarian assistance and authority and Afghan civil society, a comprehensive future rehabilitation and reconstruction programmes strategy and process for the early recovery and recon- integrate a gender perspective, that they actively at- struction efforts in Afghanistan, to be implemented tempt to promote the participation of both women and where and when conditions permit; men, and that women benefit equally with men from 8. Encourages, in this regard, all parts of the United those programmes; Nations system to work together closely on the relief, 18. Expresses its appreciation to those Governments rehabilitation and reconstruction efforts in order to that continue to host Afghan refugees, urges the Gov- ensure a smooth transition from relief to development ernments concerned to fulfil their obligations under in Afghanistan; international refugee law with respect to the protection 9. Calls upon the international community to en- of refugees and the right to seek asylum, and calls upon sure, within the implementation of such a comprehen- the international community to do likewise; sive strategy for the reconstruction and rehabilitation 19 . Recognizes the large number of refugees in of Afghanistan, adequate and effective measures, inter neighbouring countries, and calls upon the inter- alia, for demining, disaster reduction and the disarma- national community to consider providing further ment, demobilization and reintegration of combatants; assistance in support of Afghan refugees; 10. Strongly condemns all acts of violence and intimi- 20. Expresses its appreciation to the Governments of dation directed against United Nations and other hu- neighbouring States hosting United Nations agencies manitarian personnel, and regrets the loss of life and for their cooperation, and calls upon them to continue physical harm suffered among the Afghan staff; to facilitate the work of those United Nations humani- 11. Urges all Afghan groups to respect international tarian operations which are temporarily based on their humanitarian law, to ensure the safety, security and territory in order to ensure an efficient delivery of free movement of all United Nations and humanita- emergency aid into Afghanistan; rian personnel, as well as their safe and unimpeded ac- 21. Urgently appeals to all States, the United Nations cess to all affected populations, and to protect the prop- system and international and non-governmental or- erty of the United Nations and of humanitarian ganizations to continue to provide, in close collabora- organizations, including non-governmental organi- tion with the interim authority and Afghan civil society, zations, against, inter alia, looting and theft, so as to when conditions on the ground permit, all possible hu- facilitate their work; manitarian, financial, technical and material assist- 12. Encourages the Afghan groups to facilitate the ance for the Afghan population, especially in the areas operations of the United Nations and other humanita- most affected by the drought, as well as assistance to rian organizations, and urges them to cooperate fully promote the voluntary, safe and dignified return of and without discrimination on grounds of gender, refugees and internally displaced persons; nationality or religion with the United Nations and 22. Calls upon the international community to re- associated bodies, as well as with other agencies and spond generously to the donor alert, future consoli- humanitarian organizations, to refrain from all inter- dated appeals as well as long-term interventions ference in the delivery of humanitarian relief supplies towards rehabilitation and reconstruction, and in this and to guarantee the secure and uninterrupted supply respect invites Member States to participate actively in of humanitarian aid to all vulnerable populations; the ministerial level meeting on reconstruction assist- 13. Strongly condemns discrimination against women ance to be held in Japan in January 2002; and girls as well as ethnic and religious groups, in- 23. Requests the Secretary-General to submit to the cluding minorities, which adversely affects, inter alia, General Assembly at its fifty-seventh session a report international relief, rehabilitation and reconstruction on the actions taken pursuant to the present resolution.

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In resolution 56/220 A of 21 December, the were advancing at a fast pace, progress towards Assembly called on the international community the development of long-term sustainability had to provide assistance to alleviate the urgent hu- been hampered by a fundamental lack of capac- manitarian needs of Afghanistan and to support ity. In 2001, donors’ meetings were held in Can- post-conflict rehabilitation and reconstruction. berra, Australia, and Oslo, Norway. In Canberra (June), donors endorsed the second national East Timor budget of East Timor. In response to General Assembly resolution During the year, an appeal was launched to 55/172 [YUN 2000, p. 867], the Secretary-General cover 2002. submitted a September report [A/56/338] covering developments in East Timor from January to GENERAL ASSEMBLY ACTION June 2001. On 14 December [meeting 87], the General As- The humanitarian situation in East Timor sembly adopted resolution 56/104 [draft: A/56/ continued to improve. Although many people re- L.52 & Add.1] without vote [agenda item 20 (b)]. mained vulnerable, it was generally accepted that Assistance for humanitarian relief, rehabilitation the humanitarian phase had shifted to a more and development for East Timor normalized development situation. Capacity de- The General Assembly, velopment was the core development challenge Recalling all of its relevant resolutions on the situa- facing East Timor, particularly in the areas of hu- tion in East Timor, man resources development, enhancing the pol- Recalling also its resolution 46/182 of 19 December icy and legal framework, managing the changing 1991 and the guiding principles contained in the annex role of international personnel and managing to that resolution, the linguistic transition. The establishment of a Recalling further all of the relevant Security Council fully functional civil service managed by East resolutions and decisions on the situation in East Timorese staff had progressed significantly (see Timor, in particular resolutions 1272(1999)of 25 Octo- p. 272). However, the East Timorese and their de- ber 1999, 1319(2000) of 8 September 2000 and 1338 velopment partners faced enormous challenges (2001) of 31 January 2001, in transforming an administration that was es- Recalling the establishment by Security Council reso- lution 1272(1999) of the United Nations Transitional sentially international in character into a sustain- Administration in East Timor, whose mandate in- able national administration. cludes the coordination and delivery of humanitarian, With regard to the health sector, data collected rehabilitation and development assistance, support for in March indicated that 80 per cent of the popu- capacity-building for self-government and assistance lation had access to permanent health-care facili- in the establishment of conditions for sustainable de- ties. However, ongoing monitoring suggested velopment, that utilization of health services was low and Welcoming the response of the United Nations, other highly variable, with below 40 per cent of facili- intergovernmental organizations, Member States and non-governmental organizations, with the co- ties properly utilized. The shift from emergency ordination of the Transitional Administration since relief to a development phase had allowed the de- 1 January 2000, and in cooperation with the East velopment of non-emergency medical services. Timorese people, in terms of addressing the humani- Only moderate success had been achieved in edu- tarian relief, rehabilitation and development needs of cation, primarily due to teacher shortages and a East Timor, lack of school furniture. The central areas of the Welcoming also the passing of the immediate emer- justice system—the court system, prosecution gency and humanitarian phase in East Timor, while services, public defender services and prison noting continuing vulnerabilities, including the need to strengthen the preparedness and response capacity services—had seen significant progress. The for addressing humanitarian emergencies, and the re- trend towards improvement in public safety had maining challenges of rehabilitation, reconstruction continued. In agriculture, a joint donors’ mission and development, (26 March–7 April), with the participation of the Acknowledging the continuing progress made in the World Bank, the United States Agency for Inter- transition from relief to development in East Timor national Development, the Australian Agency for and, in this regard, the important role played by the International Development, Portugal, the Food Transitional Administration in supporting the resilient and Agriculture Organization of the United and determined efforts of the East Timorese people themselves, Nations (FAO), UNDP, the United Nations Office for Project Services and the Japanese Interna- Emphasizing the need for continued international assistance to East Timor to support the transition from tional Cooperation Agency, called for an inte- relief and rehabilitation to development, and recogniz- grated approach to support the agricultural sec- ing the significant challenges that are to be faced in this tor in terms of cross-sectoral rural development. regard in preparation for independence and in the While measures to rehabilitate the infrastructure post-independence period, inter alia, in the sectors of

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public administration, education, health, agriculture 7. Further welcomes the successful holding, on 30 and infrastructure, August 2001, of the elections for the East Timor Con- Welcoming the efforts of the Government of Indo- stituent Assembly and the appointment, on 20 Septem- nesia and relevant intergovernmental and non- ber 2001, of the all–East Timorese Second Transitional governmental organizations in providing humanita- Government; rian assistance to the East Timorese refugees in the 8. Acknowledges that the establishment of an effec- province of East Nusa Tenggara, West Timor, and in tive and functioning governmental administration is facilitating their return to East Timor, and in this crucial to fostering a stable and secure social, economic respect recognizing the importance of the interna- and political environment in East Timor, and in this re- tional community in assisting the efforts of the Govern- gard urges the international community to continue to ment of Indonesia to implement programmes for support efforts aimed at institution-building and the the resettlement and repatriation of East Timorese training of civil servants, in particular in the areas of refugees, public finances, the judiciary, senior management and Welcoming also the initiation by Indonesia of criminal the development and maintenance of the central ad- proceedings against the perpetrators of the deplorable ministrative systems of government; killing of three personnel of the Office of the United 9. Welcomes the continuing response to food aid Nations High Commissioner for Refugees at Atambua needs by the international community, and calls upon on 6 September 2000, bearing in mind the importance the United Nations, other intergovernmental organi- of the independence of the national judiciary, and ex- zations, Member States and non-governmental organi- pressing the hope that the final sentences for those zations to assist the East Timorese in ensuring sustain- found guilty will be commensurate with the serious na- able development in the areas of agriculture, livestock ture of the crimes, and fisheries; 1. Takesnote of the report of the Secretary-General; 10. Recommends that outstanding infrastructure 2. Encourages the United Nations, other intergov- needs remain an essential focus of international assist- ernmental organizations, Member States and non- ance in such areas as the reconstruction and rehabilita- governmental organizations, with the coordination of tion of public buildings, educational facilities, roads the United Nations Transitional Administration in and public services, including water and sanitation and East Timor, and in close consultation and cooperation the supply of electricity; with the East Timorese people, to continue to colla- 11. Commends the rapid international response in borate to address the remaining longer-term vulner- terms of providing health services to the general popu- abilities of East Timor, including in the area of pre- lation, including the early deployment of immuniza- paredness and response capacity for addressing tion and disease prevention programmes, and repro- humanitarian emergencies, and to support the transi- ductive health care and child nutrition programmes, tion from relief and rehabilitation to development; while recognizing the need for further assistance to re- 3. Emphasizes the importance of continuing close build hospitals and train health-care professionals and consultation with and participation of East Timorese enhance capacity-building to meet the challenge to institutions and civil society, including local non- public health posed by diseases such as tuberculosis, governmental organizations, in the planning and deliv- malaria and the human immunodeficiency virus/ ery of rehabilitation, reconstruction and development acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS); assistance to East Timor; 12. Welcomes the ongoing reopening of schools, the 4. Urges United Nations organizations, the interna- supply and distribution of educational materials, and tional community and non-governmental organiza- teacher training, while emphasizing the need for tions to continue their efforts aimed at the enhanced capacity-building, particularly in the area of secondary ownership and participation of all East Timorese, in- and higher education, and for continued attention to cluding women and vulnerable groups, in the rehabili- the rehabilitation needs, including psychosocial sup- tation, reconstruction and development of East Timor, port, of children affected by the violence; and in this regard stresses the need for continued inter- 13. Acknowledges the efforts of the Government of national assistance to support local capacity-building, Indonesia, in cooperation with the Transitional inter alia, in areas such as education, health, agricul- Administration, the Office of the United Nations High ture and rural development, the judiciary, governance Commissioner for Refugees, the International Organi- and public administration, security and law and order; zation for Migration and other humanitarian organiza- 5. Welcomes the convening of donor meetings for tions, to facilitate organized and spontaneous returns East Timor in Tokyo in December 1999,Lisbon in June of East Timorese refugees from West Timor, and en- 2000, Brussels in December 2000, Canberra in June courages the Government of Indonesia to continue its 2001 and Oslo in December 2001, which focused on the efforts to establish effective security in and around the national budget and the transition towards indepen- refugee camps in West Timor in order to facilitate safe dence in East Timor in four key areas, political, public and voluntary returns of refugees; administration, public finances, and economic and so- 14 . Reaffirms the need to ensure safe and unhin- cial reconstruction, and urges the international com- dered access of humanitarian personnel and assistance munity to fulfil its pledges to meet the external re- to all those in need, recognizes in this regard the con- quirements for rehabilitation, reconstruction and tinuing implementation by the Government of Indone- development activities for East Timor; sia of Security Council resolution 1319(2000), encour- 6. Also welcomes the official launching of the joint ages the Government to continue its efforts in that appeal for East Timorese refugees, presented by the regard in full cooperation with Member States, the Government of Indonesia and the United Nations in United Nations system and non-governmental organi- Jakarta on 27 November 2001; zations, and underscores the importance of continued

YUN01—REPROS—cxs JUNE 17 2003 Humanitarian and special economic assistance 843 international assistance to support the efforts of the cereal seeds and establish an adequate rural fi- Government of Indonesia and relevant organizations nance system. to meet the needs of East Timorese refugees in West During the reporting period, 1,835 Tajiks re- Timor, inter alia, by assisting their voluntary repatria- tion or resettlement, and by contributing to humanita- patriated voluntarily, with the assistance of the rian assistance needs in the camps in West Timor; Office of the United Nations High Commis- 15. Urges the United Nations to continue to address sioner for Refugees (UNHCR). As a result of con- the rehabilitation, reconstruction and development tinued fighting in Afghanistan, some 10,000 Af- needs of East Timor; ghans sought refuge on the border between 16. Requests the Secretary-General to prepare a re- Tajikistan and Afghanistan; UNHCR and OCHA port on the implementation of the present resolution coordinated inter-agency assistance. for consideration by the General Assembly at its fifty- In general, the operating environment for the seventh session. United Nations and international organizations had improved slightly,although recent insecurity Indonesia limited the number of accessible areas. Operat- ing in three of Tajikistan’s four regions, the Maluku UNDP Reconstruction, Rehabilitation and Devel- The UN Consolidated Inter-Agency Appeal opment Programme made significant contribu- for the crisis in Maluku, Indonesia, amounting to tions to social and economic recovery. At the $10.8 million and covering January to December World Bank–led consultative group meeting (To- 2001, received 30.8 per cent ($3.3 million) of re- kyo, 16 May), donors pledged $439 million in quirements. support of economic reform and investment pro- The crisis began in 1999 when violence grammes for the 2001-2002 biennium. The erupted between Christians and Muslims and, Secretary-General observed that the provision of although small-scale interaction between the two increased humanitarian and development assist- groups had increased, segregation remained ance was crucial to maintaining and strengthen- deep. The military presence had been reduced ing the achievements of the UN post-conflict by half without negative implications. Humani- peace-building efforts and to keeping Tajikistan tarian actors had adjusted to the improved envi- on the road to stabilization, democratic develop- ronment by decreasing direct assistance, focus- ment and economic reform. ing more on capacity-building, and by enabling The Consolidated Inter-Agency Appeal for people to take charge of either food production Tajikistan, launched in 2000, which initially or generation of income to purchase basic needs. sought $82 million to cover January to December The focus shifted towards rehabilitation, particu- 2001, was revised to $78 million. Of that amount, larly in North Maluku where the security envi- 75 per cent ($58.5 million) was received. A fur- ronment was more conducive. ther appeal was issued for 2002.

Tajikistan GENERAL ASSEMBLY ACTION In response to General Assembly resolution On 27 November [meeting 65], the General As- 55/45 [YUN 2000, p. 870], the Secretary-General sembly adopted resolution 56/10 [draft: A/56/L.15 submitted an October report [A/56/470], covering & Add.1] without vote [agenda item 20 (b)]. developments in the humanitarian situation in Emergency international assistance for peace, Tajikistan from 15 July 2000 to 15 July 2001. normalcy and rehabilitation in Tajikistan Despite significant improvements in peace and The General Assembly, security during the reporting period, the hu- Recalling its resolutions 51/30 J of 25 April 1997, manitarian situation continued to deteriorate ow- 52/169 I of 16 December 1997, 53/1 K of 7 December ing to the prevailing drought, severe economic 1998,54/96 A of 8 December 1999and 55/45 of 27 No- vember 2000, conditions and insufficient livelihoods for over Having considered the report of the Secretary- half of the Tajik population. Food production General, continued to follow the declining trend of pre- Welcoming the progress made by Tajikistan in con- ceding years. Although efforts had been made to solidating peace and stability, and noting the signifi- rehabilitate health-care facilities, health care re- cantly improved security environment in the country, mained sub-standard. Access to other basic social Recognizing with satisfaction that the United Nations services, such as water, sanitation and education, has played a successful and important role in the peace was limited by the absence of essential supplies process, and believing that the Organization should continue to provide assistance to Tajikistan in post- and proper maintenance. Urgent assistance was conflict peace-building, needed to rehabilitate the collapsing irrigation Welcoming in this regard the efforts of the United infrastructure, maintain and renovate agricul- Nations Tajikistan Office for Peace-building aimed at tural equipment, produce and procure quality the consolidation of peace, national recovery and re-

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construction, promotion of the rule of law and the plify and streamline without delay the relevant inter- strengthening of democratic institutions, nal bureaucratic procedures and requirements for the Noting with regret that the humanitarian situation delivery of humanitarian assistance; has not improved, owing to the severe economic dete- 10. Warmly welcomes the intention of the Secretary- rioration and the prevailing drought, and that signifi- General to continue the United Nations humanitarian cant humanitarian needs continue to exist throughout programme in Tajikistan by issuing a consolidated Tajikistan, inter-agency appeal for humanitarian assistance to Recognizing that, until the economy is able to support Tajikistan for 2002, taking into account current devel- the Tajik population, humanitarian operations will re- opments in the region, and urges Member States to main a critical factor in consolidating the achievements fund fully programmes included in the appeal; of the peace-building process in Tajikistan, 11. Calls upon the Secretary-General to continue to Expressing regret that, despite the widely recognized re-evaluate all United Nations humanitarian assistance importance of humanitarian assistance in maintaining activities in Tajikistan with a view to preparing a com- and consolidating the achievements of the peace- mon humanitarian strategy that would support the re- building efforts, the donor response to the 2001 con- lief and recovery operations during the transitional pe- solidated inter-agency appeal has not yet reached its riod from relief to development, with a major focus on target, promoting self-reliance and sustainable development; Stressing that international funding for humanita- 12. Stresses the need to ensure the security and free- rian operations is particularly important since such op- dom of movement of humanitarian personnel, and of erations remain the principal means by which hun- United Nations and associated personnel, as well as the dreds of thousands of Tajiks meet their basic needs, safety and security of their premises, equipment and Noting with concern the lack of support especially for supplies; important sectors such as health, education, water and 13. Requests the Secretary-General to continue to sanitation, which must receive immediate funding if monitor the humanitarian situation in Tajikistan and social catastrophe is to be avoided in Tajikistan, to report to the General Assembly at its fifty-seventh 1. Takesnote of the report of the Secretary-General; session on the progress made in the implementation of 2. Welcomes the continued role of the United the present resolution; Nations in post-conflict peace-building in Tajikistan 14 . Decides to consider at its fifty-seventh session the and the efforts of the United Nations Tajikistan Office question of the situation in Tajikistan under the item for Peace-building in this regard; entitled “Strengthening of the coordination of human- 3. Stresses that Tajikistan has entered a new phase itarian and disaster relief assistance of the United of post-conflict peace-building, which requires contin- Nations, including special economic assistance”. ued international economic assistance; 4. Recognizes that humanitarian and rehabilitation assistance remains crucial, not only to sustain life but Europe also to promote development and prevent renewed conflict; Northern Caucasus (Russian Federation) 5. Welcomes with appreciation the efforts undertaken by the Secretary-General in drawing the attention of The UN Consolidated Inter-Agency Appeal the international community to the acute humanita- for the Northern Caucasus, issued in 2000, which rian problems of Tajikistan and in mobilizing assist- sought $44.9 million to cover January to Decem- ance for the post-conflict rehabilitation, recovery and ber 2001, was revised in June to $42.5 million. reconstruction of the country; The donor community met 89.3 per cent ($38 6. Welcomes the results achieved at the consultative million) of requirements. group meeting of donor countries, held in Tokyo on 16 In 2001, the overall situation in the northern May 2001; 7. Expresses its appreciation to the States, the United Caucasus remained difficult due to the persistent Nations, the European Union, the World Bank and extreme insecurity and high level of poverty in other intergovernmental organizations and all relevant Chechnya. Resource transfers from the federal to humanitarian organizations, agencies and non- the regional level to restore socio-economic life governmental organizations, including the Interna- were lower than planned. Insecurity, lack of tional Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent documents and sufficient shelter, and a dearth of Societies, that have responded and continue to respond basic services discouraged displaced people from positively to the humanitarian needs of Tajikistan; 8. Encourages Member States and others concerned returning to Chechnya. Overall, more people left to continue to provide assistance to alleviate the urgent Chechnya than returned there. humanitarian needs of Tajikistan and to offer support In Ingushetia, there was stability in terms of to Tajikistan for the post-conflict rehabilitation and re- security and a government structure. However, construction of its economy; the social and physical infrastructure was over- 9. Emphasizes the importance of further co- burdened by the continued presence of displaced operation and assistance from the authorities in facili- persons. In April, the Government stopped regis- tating the work of humanitarian organizations, includ- ing non-governmental organizations, welcomes in this tering new arrivals, thereby hampering their ac- regard the establishment of the National Coordination cess to the Government’s humanitarian assist- Committee on Humanitarian Assistance by the Gov- ance. Tension increased between host families ernment of Tajikistan, and urges the authorities to sim- and internally displaced persons, and a growing

YUN01—REPROS—cxs JUNE 17 2003 Humanitarian and special economic assistance 845 number of internally displaced persons faced FYROM stabilized in the autumn. Significant re- eviction from spontaneous settlements and host sources were required to help stabilize the families. In addition, the flow of people leaving situation further, allow for the return of refugees Chechnya to go to Ingushetia reached 8,000 and displaced persons, care for those unable to by October. A further appeal was launched for return and maintain emergency preparedness. 2002. In FRY, excluding Kosovo, high rates of unem- ployment and inflation placed 2 million people South-Eastern Europe at or below the poverty line. Already facing de- (Albania and the former Yugoslavia) pleted health, education and social welfare serv- The UN Consolidated Inter-Agency Appeal ices, a large segment of the population was un- for South-Eastern Europe (Albania, Bosnia and able to meet basic needs, especially during the Herzegovina, Croatia, the Federal Republic of harsh winter months. The conflict in FYROM re- Yugoslavia (FRY) and the former Yugoslav Repub- sulted in the influx of some 10,000 refugees into lic of Macedonia (FYROM)), issued in 2000, which FRY, mainly into southern Serbia. While the over- sought $429.2 million to cover January to Decem- all humanitarian situation had improved in the ber 2001, was revised to $413.2 million. The do- Kosovo province of FRY, unemployment re- nor community covered 53.4 per cent ($220.5 mained high. Poor infrastructure, high crime million) of that amount. and lack of respect for the rule of law, coupled In 2001, the general trend towards stability with the volatility of the region in general, meant and development continued in South-Eastern that high unemployment and related pressure Europe, allowing UN agencies to make progress for labour migration were likely to continue. on return and local integration programmes for Much of Kosovo’s economy was geared towards refugees and internally displaced persons, and to and dependent on the presence of the interna- support the transition from relief assistance to- tional community and was considered unsustain- wards development programming. However, vio- able. There were still residual humanitarian lent conflict in FYROM early in the year (see needs, particularly related to the influx of some p. 368) led to the displacement of some 140,000 81,000 mainly ethnic Albanian refugees from FY- persons both within the country and into neigh- ROM, minority returnees and isolated minority bouring territories. Conflict between ethnic Al- communities. A further appeal for the region banian armed groups and State security forces was launched to cover 2002. also escalated in southern Serbia. The United Nations responded with programmes to address Federal Republic of Yugoslavia the needs of new caseloads generated by the con- In response to General Assembly resolution flicts. By October, peace processes were under 55/169 [YUN 2000, p. 872], the Secretary-General, in way in both countries, and agencies were assisting a September report [A/56/361], reviewed humani- returns, addressing the enormous needs in tarian, socio-economic and human rights devel- conflict-affected areas and working to rebuild opments in FRY during the period 1 July 2000 to community confidence. Other parts of the re- 15 July 2001. He described assistance provided by gion enjoyed relative stability, accompanied by the United Nations and its partners relating to political progress and steps towards recovery of coordination, winterization efforts, food aid, civil society. shelter, health, water and sanitation, education Albania was characterized by chronic under- and child welfare, agriculture, durable solutions, development, which affected all segments of the environmental damage, mine action and human population. In Bosnia and Herzegovina, minor- rights. ity returns increased by nearly 90 per cent, During the period under review, the domestic largely prompted by the implementation of prop- and international political context of FRY erty laws. In contrast to the positive side of the re- changed dramatically, strengthening the pros- turn trend, new humanitarian needs were cre- pects for making real progress in addressing the ated by the returns due to limited economic root causes of large-scale humanitarian needs. opportunities in the country. Organized and However, the process of development was un- spontaneous returns to Croatia increased, as the likely to be linear and significant obstacles re- Government removed many legislative barriers, mained regarding durable solutions. Meeting gave return clearance for former habitual resi- the basic needs of vulnerable groups within the dents and simplified the return procedure. How- refugee, displaced and resident populations re- ever, the returnees faced difficulties related to mained a priority for humanitarian agencies, as housing and employment or income-generating did the provision of transitional support to essen- opportunities. After seven months of conflict tial services such as health, education and social and displacement, the humanitarian situation in welfare in order to meet immediate needs, main-

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tain services at a minimum and strengthen the re- tion, including refugees and internally displaced per- form process. A donors’ conference, co-hosted by sons, and which is coupled with a continuing decrease the World Bank and the European Commission in basic social services capacity, especially in the health sector, (Brussels, 29 June), proposed a programme for Acknowledging that a large number of refugees re- reform and development, which received strong main in the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia and that support. assistance requirements will include, as appropriate, local integration, GENERAL ASSEMBLY ACTION Taking note of the report of the Secretary-General, On 14 December [meeting 87], the General As- Taking note also of the biweekly reports on the hu- sembly adopted resolution 56/101 [draft: A/56/ manitarian situation in the Federal Republic of Yugo- L.49 & Add.1] without vote [agenda item 20 (b)]. slavia, prepared in Belgrade by the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs of the Secreta- Humanitarian assistance to the Federal riat, Republic of Yugoslavia Recognizing the role of the United Nations in helping The General Assembly, the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia to resolve the hu- Recalling its resolution 46/182 of 19 December 1991, manitarian problems that confront it and in coordinat- and reaffirming that humanitarian assistance should ing the efforts of the international community to pro- be provided in accordance with the guiding principles vide humanitarian assistance to the country, contained in the annex to that resolution, 1. Calls upon all States, regional organizations, inter- Recalling also its resolutions 54/96 F of 15 December governmental and non-governmental organizations 1999 and 55/169 of 14 December 2000, concerning and other relevant bodies to provide humanitarian humanitarian assistance to the Federal Republic of assistance to alleviate the humanitarian needs of the af- Yugoslavia, fected population in the Federal Republic of Yugosla- Deeply appreciative of the humanitarian assistance via, bearing in mind in particular the special situation and the rehabilitation support rendered by a number of women, children, the elderly and other vulnerable of States, in particular major contributors, inter- groups; national agencies and organizations and non- 2. Also calls upon all States, regional organizations, governmental organizations to alleviate the humanita- intergovernmental and non-governmental organiza- rian needs of the affected population in the Federal tions and other relevant bodies to offer support to the Republic of Yugoslavia, in particular the emergency Government of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia in assistance provided by the European Union and vari- its efforts to ensure the transition from relief to the ous countries, long-term goals of the rehabilitation, reconstruction Recognizing the role of the Stability Pact for South- and development of the country; Eastern Europe and the stabilization and association 3. Welcomes the continued commitment of the Fed- process for the western Balkans in assisting the Federal eral Republic of Yugoslavia, and encourages it to coop- Republic of Yugoslavia in its efforts in further promot- erate further with the United Nations system and hu- ing democratic and economic reforms and in intensify- manitarian organizations to address the humanitarian ing regional cooperation, needs of the affected population, including refugees Deeply appreciative of the humanitarian assistance and internally displaced persons, and urges the rele- given to the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia through vant authorities and the international community to the United Nations consolidated inter-agency appeal support programmes that will ensure that the humani- for South-Eastern Europe, and the humanitarian tarian needs of refugees and internally displaced per- assistance provided by many Member States outside the sons in the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia are met and framework of the consolidated appeal, through non- to pursue durable solutions to their plight, in particu- governmental organizations, regional organizations lar voluntary repatriation and reintegration, stresses and initiatives and bilateral channels, the need to create conditions that are conducive to their Welcoming the fact that, at the donor conference safe return, and emphasizes in this regard the impor- hosted jointly by the World Bank and the European tance of regional cooperation in the search for solu- Commission in Brussels on 29 June 2001, the pro- tions to the plight of refugees; gramme for reform and development of the Federal 4. Calls upon the Secretary-General to continue to Republic of Yugoslavia received strong support and mobilize the timely provision of international humani- confirmed that meeting the basic needs of vulnerable tarian assistance to the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia; groups within the refugee, displaced and resident 5. Emphasizes the importance of strengthening the populations remains a priority for humanitarian agen- coordination of humanitarian assistance to the Federal cies, Republic of Yugoslavia, inter alia, through the mecha- Deeply concerned at the continuing urgency of the nisms of a consolidated inter-agency appeal, and rec- humanitarian situation in the Federal Republic of ognizes in this regard especially the role of the Office Yugoslavia, aware of the magnitude of the humanita- for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs of the rian requirements of the country, and recognizing the Secretariat; need to ensure effective links between relief, rehabili- 6. Encourages the Office of the United Nations tation, reconstruction and development efforts in the High Commissioner for Refugees, the Organization Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, for Security and Cooperation in Europe, the Council of Aware of the weakness of the economy and basic serv- Europe and other organizations to enhance their ices, which exacerbates further the situation of socially cooperation in the provision of humanitarian assist- and economically vulnerable segments of the popula- ance to the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia;

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7. Requests the United Nations and the specialized efforts of African countries to achieve sustain- agencies to continue their efforts to assess the humani- able development (see p. 848); and a statement tarian needs, in cooperation with the Government of submitted by the NGO African Services Commit- the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, relevant interna- tional and regional organizations and bodies and inter- tee [E/2001/NGO/2]. ested States, with a view to ensuring effective links be- Ministerial declaration. On 18 July, the high- tween relief and longer-term assistance to the Federal level segment adopted a ministerial declaration Republic of Yugoslavia, taking into account the work on the role of the United Nations in support of already carried out in this field and the need to avoid the efforts of African countries to achieve sus- duplication and the overlapping of efforts; tainable development. The Ministers called on 8. Requests the Secretary-General to submit to it the UN system and the international community at its fifty-seventh session, under the item entitled “Strengthening of the coordination of humanitarian to support the New African Initiative, adopted by and disaster relief assistance of the United Nations, the Assembly of Heads of State and Government including special economic assistance”, a report on the of the Organization of African Unity at its implementation of the present resolution. thirty-seventh ordinary session (Lusaka, Zambia, 9-11 July) [A/56/457] (the Initiative was launched and its name changed to the New Partnership for Special economic assistance Africa’s Development at an implementation meeting of African leaders (Abuja, Nigeria, 23 October)) (see p. 899). They also called for UN efforts to integrate peace and development, de- African economic recovery velop human capital, strengthen measures to and development improve agricultural development and food se- curity, support industrialization, mobilize re- Economic and Social Council consideration sources for development, harmonize and coordi- In accordance with Economic and Social nate development assistance to Africa, and Council decision 2000/303 [YUN 2000 p. 1372], the strengthen public-private partnerships to sup- Council’s high-level segment in 2001 (16-18 July) port initiatives in health, education, science and was devoted to “The role of the United Nations in technology, transport, energy supply, and infor- supporting the efforts of African countries to mation and communications. The Ministers em- achieve sustainable development” [A/56/3/Rev.1]. phasized the role that sustainable use and man- The high-level segment comprised a policy dia- agement of resources could play in achieving logue and exchange of views on important devel- sustainable development. Expressing the belief opments in the world economy and international that the preparatory process for the final review economic cooperation; the African Forum for and appraisal in 2002 of the United Nations New Investment Promotion, which included three Agenda for the Development of Africa in the round tables on the investment climate in African 1990s (see p. 849) presented an opportunity for countries, financing of investment and infra- an assessment of the role of the United Nations structure needs; a panel of eminent personalities and the international community in supporting on the theme “The nexus between peace and de- Africa’s priorities, including a comprehensive re- velopment”; and the high-level ministerial dis- view of initiatives on Africa, the Ministers sug- cussion on the high-level segment’s theme. Fol- gested that the General Assembly, in considering lowing the segment, a panel discussion took place the final review, should take into account how on the Charter for the Public Service in Africa, best to improve the effectiveness of UN support adopted at the third Biennial Pan-African Con- for Africa’s priorities and initiatives. The ference of Ministers of Civil Service (Windhoek, Secretary-General was requested to review the Namibia, 5-6 February) [A/56/63-E/2001/21]. structures charged with follow-up at the Secreta- The Council had before it an extract from the riat level. report of the Open-ended Ad Hoc Working In a statement made at the opening of the Group on the Causes of Conflict and the Promo- high-level segment, the Secretary-General stated tion of Durable Peace and Sustainable Develop- that the United Nations would fully support the ment in Africa (see p. 111); the Charter for the New African Initiative and expressed the need to Public Service in Africa; the report of the Inter- put an end to the multiplicity of initiatives on Agency Mission to West Africa [E/2001/56] (see Africa. p. 160); the World Economic and Social Survey 2001 CDP action. In response to Economic and So- (see p. 765); the report of the Committee for De- cial Council resolution 2000/34 [YUN 2000, p. 807], velopment Policy (CDP) on its third session (see CDP, at its third session (New York, 2-6 April) p. 848); the report of the Secretary-General on [E/2001/33], examined the role of the UN system the role of the United Nations in supporting the in supporting the efforts of African countries to

YUN01—REPROS—cxs JUNE 17 2003 848 Economic and social questions achieve sustainable development. The Commit- and recommendations to assist the high-level tee was of the view that the main challenge for Af- segment of the Economic and Social Council rica was to reappropriate its own development in its deliberations (see p. 847). He stated that strategy and policies. Sustained growth would be there should be better integration of UN system possible if a majority of African people became support with national development policies empowered in the development process. The and programmes and a shift of inter-agency Committee recommended that the UN system coordination increasingly to the regional level; coordinate closely its own activities in order to further reinforcement of system-wide support assist African countries in developing their in- for capacity-building in Africa; consistency and digenous coordination capabilities by strength- harmonization of the country programming ening appropriate mechanisms at the local, na- framework of the United Nations and of the tional and regional levels. It urged the UN Bretton Woods institutions (the World Bank system to resolve existing coordination failures Group and the International Monetary Fund); by establishing clear priorities aimed at imple- urgent mobilization of resources to address the menting carefully designed and integrated de- HIV/AIDS pandemic and other diseases and to velopment programmes and projects; ensuring strengthen health systems; encouragement of the active participation of the African countries public-private partnerships; improved govern- in the selection, design, implementation, moni- ance; and UN support for national and regional toring and evaluation phases of programmes and strategies to diversify African economies. projects; developing partnerships among donor agencies, technical assistance experts, host gov- ernment agencies at the national and local levels, Follow-up to the Millennium Summit and the recipient countries’ civil society; and in- In response to General Assembly resolution troducing transparent and publicly accountable 55/162 [YUN 2000, p. 62] on the follow-up to the out- monitoring and evaluation procedures. The UN come of the Millennium Summit (the United system should also play a leading role in facilitat- Nations Millennium Declaration contained in ing the inflow of foreign direct investment (FDI) resolution 55/2 [ibid., p. 49]), the Secretary- and other long-term private flows to Africa, and General submitted, in September, the “road re-examine the effectiveness of the current offi- map” towards the Declaration’s implementation cial development assistance (ODA) system based [A/56/326] (see p. 1278). Section VII of the road on voluntary contributions by Member coun- map dealt with meeting the special needs of Af- tries. Efforts should be made to design innovative rica, one of the key objectives identified in the mechanisms to reverse the decline in voluntary Declaration; the road map addressed the chal- contributions, possibly through some form of lenges posed by extreme poverty, devastating mandatory contributions, and to increase aid debt burdens, disease, conflict and wavering in- effectiveness. ternational interest. Although some of those Report of Secretary-General. In a June report problems were general to developing countries, on the role of the UN system in supporting the Africa suffered particularly from its marginali- efforts of African countries to achieve sustain- zation in the process of globalization. However, able development [E/2001/83], the Secretary- African leadership had galvanized local and General stated that the United Nations had to international support in the following areas: sup- play a key role in forging a partnership between porting the New African Initiative; strengthen- Africa and the international community in order ing democratic governance; building peace- to put the continent on the path to sustained keeping capacity further, in cooperation with growth and improved living conditions. The regional organizations; working for sustainable challenge was to build on African ownership development; and forming partnerships to com- and sound economic policies, which could be bat HIV/AIDS. The Assembly took action on the achieved with an adequate mix of resource flows, road map in resolution 56/95 (see p. 1279). debt relief and much-improved market access for African exports, combined with support for the diversification of the region’s economies and the New Agenda for the Development of Africa replication of success stories implemented by, or The United Nations New Agenda for the De- in collaboration with, the UN system. velopment of Africa in the 1990s (UN-NADAF), Having described the current situation in Af- adopted by the General Assembly in resolution rica, the UN role in forging a new partnership for 46/151 [YUN 1991, p. 402], continued to be imple- growth in Africa and the challenges of sustain- mented by the United Nations Conference able development in Africa, the Secretary- on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), among General presented a series of policy conclusions others.

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During the year, consideration of UN-NADAF Policy Issues [TD/B/48/12], which stated that pov- centred on its final review and appraisal, sched- erty had increased in the continent and that gross uled to take place in 2002 in accordance with As- domestic product growth rates were half the an- sembly resolution 51/32 [YUN 1996, p. 832]. nual average growth target of 6 per cent set by UNCTAD action. At its twenty-seventh execu- UN-NADAF; real per capita incomes were cur- tive session (Geneva, 19July) [A/56/15], the UNCTAD rently 10 per cent below the levels reached in Tradeand Development Board (TDB) considered 1980; savings and investment rates remained far a report by the UNCTAD Secretary-General on below levels required for sustainable growth in UNCTAD’s contribution to the implementation of the region and for attaining the objective of re- UN-NADAF [TD/B/EX(27)/2]. The report summa- ducing poverty by half by the year 2015; Africa’s rized specific UNCTAD activities, including advi- share of world trade had fallen dramatically in sory services and technical cooperation, in each the past decade, and the continent’s terms of of UNCTAD’s mandated sectors—international trade were 50 per cent lower than in 1980, owing trade, services development, debt and debt man- mainly to commodity dependence; FDI remained agement, international investment and enter- at less than 1 per cent of world totals and was not prise development, the UNCTAD/UNDP Global expected to fill the resource gap; despite the En- Programme on Globalization, Liberalization and hanced Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) Sustainable Human Development, and the Initiative, African countries remained highly in- United Nations System-wide Special Initiative on debted; and ODA had fallen to historically low lev- Africa. els, representing about one third of UN targets. In agreed conclusions of 12 October [A/56/15 Final review and appraisal (2002) (agreed conclusions 468(XLVIII))], TDB stated that only CPC action. At its forty-first session (New a few African countries had met the UN-NADAF York,11June–6July)[A/56/16], the Committee for targets. Greater coherence among policies re- Programme and Coordination (CPC) requested garding African development was needed in or- that the final evaluation of UN-NADAF should, der to place the continent on a sustainable growth among other things, present an assessment of the path to achieve the internationally agreed target activities carried out by all partners concerned in of reducing poverty by half by the year 2015. The the areas covered by the New Agenda and provide Board called for renewed and strengthened a critical analysis, which would make it possible efforts by developed countries to meet as soon as to identify successes, obstacles and failures; high- possible the agreed ODA target of 0.7 per cent of light lessons learned; and indicate the impact their gross national product (GNP) and the agreed and implications of UN-NADAF activities on Afri- target of earmarking 0.15 per cent to 0.20 per ca’s development. It also requested that concrete cent of GNP for the least developed countries. proposals on the successor arrangements to UN- Over the longer term, private capital flows and NADAF be put forward and include effective domestic savings should replace official financ- coordination measures at the international, re- ing, thereby reducing aid dependence. Regard- gional, subregional and national levels. ing Africa’s debt burden, the Board urged the Note of Secretary-General. In an August note effective implementation of the Enhanced HIPC [A/56/270], the Secretary-General discussed prep- Initiative for eligible African countries. Meas- arations for the UN-NADAF final review and ures to deal with resource requirements should appraisal. be incorporated into a comprehensive develop- As part of the independent evaluation of UN- ment approach, which could increase considera- NADAF and related initiatives requested by the bly the capacity of African countries to export Assembly in resolution 55/216 [YUN 2000, p. 875], and to augment their share in international trade the Secretary-General had established a panel of transactions. Improved market access should be 12 independent personalities from Africa and supplemented with specific capacity develop- the international community to oversee the eval- ment programmes to help countries diversify ex- uation (see p. 850). The Secretary-General pro- ports and improve competitiveness. The interna- posed that the Assembly establish an ad hoc com- tional community should study ways to deal with mittee of the whole to carry out the final review the problem of declining commodity prices and and appraisal. The Assembly did so by resolution their impact on African development. The Board 56/218 (see p. 850). encouraged continued attention to external fac- UNCTAD action. At its forty-eighth session tors and to the shortcomings of domestic markets (Geneva, 1-12 October) [A/56/15], TDB had before and enterprises, human capital and physical in- it an UNCTAD secretariat report entitled Economic frastructure, institutions and income distribu- Development in Africa: Performance, Prospects and tion.

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Panel meeting. The Panel of Eminent Person- the agreed conclusions 1999/2 adopted by the Eco- alities on the Independent Evaluation of UN- nomic and Social Council, at its substantive session of 1999, on coordination of the policies and activities of NADAF held its first meeting (New York, 27-28 the specialized agencies and other bodies of the United November) to discuss and endorse the plans and Nations system related to the theme “Development of the methodology of the evaluation. A support Africa: implementation and coordinated follow-up by team to the Panel had visited seven African coun- the United Nations system of initiatives on African de- tries (Botswana, Egypt, Ethiopia, Kenya, Nigeria, velopment”, South Africa, United Republic of Tanzania), Mindful also of the report of the Secretary-General where they met with government officials and on the causes of conflict and the promotion of durable representatives of regional and subregional or- peace and sustainable development in Africa, in par- ganizations and UN system organizations with a ticular paragraph 60, view to obtaining information on the extent of 1. Decides to establish an ad hoc committee of the implementation of UN-NADAF priorities and the whole of the General Assembly as the most appropriate reasons for the slow or lack of progress in certain mechanism to conduct the final review and appraisal of the implementation of the United Nations New priority areas. The Panel was briefed by repre- Agenda for the Development of Africa in the 1990sand sentatives of African missions, the donor commu- related initiatives; nity and UN system organizations on recent de- 2. Decides also to convene an organizational session velopments in Africa and on various initiatives of the Ad Hoc Committee of the Whole in June 2002 that might have contributed to implementing for one working day to consider and adopt the neces- UN-NADAF priorities. The support team was sary arrangements for its work regarding, inter alia, the scheduled to carry out additional field missions final review and appraisal of the implementation of the in Asia, Latin America, Europe and North Amer- New Agenda and related initiatives on Africa, and de- cides that the Ad Hoc Committee should establish its ica to collect information on the role of the donor bureau at the highest appropriate level, to be composed community in implementing UN-NADAF. of a chairman, the President of the General Assembly, assisted by three vice-chairmen and a rapporteur, ap- GENERAL ASSEMBLY ACTION pointed by the President in consultation with Member On 21 December [meeting 91], the General As- States; sembly adopted resolution 56/218 [draft: A/56/L.61 3. Decides further that the Ad Hoc Committee of the & Add.1] without vote [agenda item 22]. Whole should meet in substantive session for a period of five working days, from 9 to 13 September 2002, and Final review and appraisal of the United Nations for three working days from 7 to 9 October 2002, dur- New Agenda for the Development of ing the fifty-seventh session of the General Assembly, Africa in the 1990s to conduct the final review and appraisal of the imple- The General Assembly, mentation of the New Agenda and related initiatives on Having considered the note by the Secretary-General the basis of the report of the Secretary-General on the on the final review and appraisal of the implementa- independent high-level quality evaluation, as man- tion of the United Nations New Agenda for the Devel- dated in Assembly resolutions 54/234 and 55/216 and opment of Africa in the 1990s, in agreed conclusions 1999/2 of the Economic and So- Reaffirming its resolutions 46/151 of 18 December cial Council, and on other documents that the Ad Hoc 1991, the annex to which contains the New Agenda, and Committee will have decided to make use of at its or- 51/32 of 6 December 1996, which states that the final ganizational session in June 2002, as well as on propo- review and appraisal of the New Agenda will be con- sals by the Secretary-General on the modalities of the ducted in 2002, United Nations future engagement with the New Part- Reaffirming also its resolutions 48/214 of 23 Decem- nership for Africa’s Development; ber 1993, 49/142 of 23 December 1994, 53/90 of 7 De- 4. Decides that a high-level plenary meeting of the cember 1998 and 55/216 of 21 December 2000 on the General Assembly should be held on 16 September implementation of the New Agenda, 2002 to consider how to support the New Partnership Reaffirming further its resolutions 54/234 of 22 De- for Africa’s Development, in line with paragraph 5 of cember 1999 and 55/217 of 21 December 2000 on the the ministerial declaration of the high-level segment of causes of conflict and the promotion of durable peace the substantive session of 2001of the Economic and So- and sustainable development in Africa, and recalling cial Council, which called on the United Nations sys- its requests in resolutions 54/234 and 55/216 to con- tem and the international community to support the duct the final review and appraisal of the New Agenda New African Initiative, now called the New Partnership and related initiatives on the basis of a report by the for Africa’s Development, adopted by the Assembly of Secretary-General on an independent high-level qual- Heads of State and Government of the Organization of ity evaluation, African Unity, at its thirty-seventh ordinary session, Mindful of the ministerial declaration of the high- held at Lusaka from 9 to 11July 2001, and that prepara- level segment of the substantive session of 2001 of the tions for the plenary meeting should be made during Economic and Social Council on the role of the United the fifty-sixth session of the General Assembly; Nations in support of the efforts of African countries 5. Urges Member States and organs and bodies of to achieve sustainable development, adopted on 18July the United Nations system to ensure that they are rep- 2001, with particular reference to paragraph 26, and resented at the highest appropriate level on, and to par-

YUN01—REPROS—cxs JUNE 17 2003 Humanitarian and special economic assistance 851 ticipate actively in the work of, the Ad Hoc Committee United Nations Population Fund, the United of the Whole and in the plenary meeting; Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), the United 6. Requests the Secretary-General, in consultation Nations Industrial Development Organization, with the organs and organizations of the United the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Nations system concerned, to ensure the necessary preparations for the meeting of the Ad Hoc Committee World Bank—agreed that the Initiative should be of the Whole; brought to a close. Those organizations generally 7. Also requests the Secretary-General to submit to agreed that, since the objectives of the Initiative the General Assembly at its fifty-seventh session a re- were being absorbed more effectively by existing port on the work of the Ad Hoc Committee of the and planned coordinating mechanisms that were Whole, including on the plenary meeting, and on the more country-based and responded to Africa’s implementation of the present resolution. development challenges, the continuation of a special initiative did not provide any value- On 24 December, the Assembly decided that added. Regarding the framework for a new ap- the item on the UN-NADAF final review and ap- proach, a number of agencies agreed on the need praisal would remain for consideration during for dialogue, but cautioned against the creation its resumed fifth-sixth (2002) session (decision of yet another structure, and suggested the estab- 56/464). lishment of benchmarks and indicators to gauge progress in inter-agency coordination. UN System-wide Special Initiative on Africa CPC members raised doubts about the quality CPC action. In response to a 2000 CPC request and validity of the evaluation report. It was felt [YUN 2000, p. 877], the Secretary-General trans- that the duration of two months for the eval- mitted to CPC’s forty-first session (New York, uation was inadequate and only 6 of 53 countries 11June–6 July) [A/56/16] the independent eval- in Africa had been visited. While the report re- uation [E/AC.51/2001/6 & Corr.1] of the United ferred to the Initiative’s inability to bring in addi- Nations System-wide Special Initiative on Africa, tional financial resources, it had failed to men- covering activities since the Initiative’s launch in tion those resources that had actually been March 1996 [YUN 1996,p. 832]. The evaluation, pre- mobilized through its efforts. Referring to the pared by three independent experts, concluded comments provided by the Secretary-General on that the Initiative had achieved only modest suc- the evaluation, the Committee noted that only cess as a vehicle to encourage coordination eight agencies had submitted comments, al- among UN agencies. The Initiative’s more last- though 17 agencies had provided inputs and fa- ing value was its role in encouraging cooperation vourable comments in 2000 [YUN 2000, p. 877]. The within the UN system, and especially with the Committee requested that a more detailed ex- World Bank. Among other things, the experts amination of the Initiative be conducted in the said that the Initiative was overly ambitious and context of the final evaluation of UN-NADAF. too imprecise; the lack of incentives, combined with inadequate consultation, left the Initiative Democratic Republic of the Congo without a sense of ownership from key constitu- In response to General Assembly resolution encies; and it was subject to uncertain support 55/166 [YUN 2000, p. 878], the Secretary-General, in from top UN leadership. The experts recom- an August report [A/56/269], described assistance mended that the United Nations might support a provided by the UN system to the DRC in its eco- set of interlocking dialogues involving African nomic recovery and reconstruction process in the countries and regional institutions, donors, the context of recent political change and continuing agencies and programmes of the UN system and conflict (see p. 116). other multilateral development agencies. The ex- Against a background of limited resources, UN istence of the Initiative as a continuing special system agencies had continued their cooperation initiative should be brought to a close at a time programmes by focusing on humanitarian activi- considered appropriate by UN decision-making ties to benefit the most vulnerable groups. Devel- bodies. opment efforts were targeted at various aspects In June comments on the independent ex- of poverty reduction in the areas of health, agricul- perts’ report [E/AC.51/2001/7], the Secretary- ture, local development and employment genera- General stated that, with the exception of the tion, HIV/AIDS control and the promotion of good United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cul- governance, including human rights and national tural Organization, which considered the impli- capacity-building. An appropriate response to the cations of the report to be far-reaching and indi- crisis had been hampered by inadequate funding, cated that it might refer the matter to its difficult access to displaced persons for security Governing Body before making any comments, reasons and past decisions of the national authori- UN system organizations—FAO, UNDP, the ties, some of which had been overturned by the

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new President, Joseph Kabila. In agriculture, FAO Deeply concerned at the continued extensive destruc- and UNDP collaborated on food security, and, in tion of life and property and the severe damage to in- the context of an emergency agriculture pro- frastructure and the environment suffered by the Dem- ocratic Republic of the Congo, as well as the reports of gramme in Bas-Congo, FAO, UNHCR and the the illegal exploitation of its natural resources, World Food Programme (WFP) developed syner- Bearing in mind the fact that the Democratic Republic gies in their support for refugees, displaced per- of the Congo hosts thousands of refugees from neigh- sons and host populations. UNICEF provided bouring countries, which places a great burden on its assistance to the most vulnerable groups in the limited resources, and hoping that conditions will be areas of health, food, child protection and assist- created that will facilitate a safe and voluntary return of ance to displaced persons. In the health sector, refugees, Recalling that the Democratic Republic of the Congo WHO and UNDP helped to rehabilitate the health is a least developed country with severe economic and system in six health zones of several provinces, social problems arising from its weak economic infra- national immunization days were realized through structure and aggravated by the ongoing conflict, a broad partnership and HIV/AIDS control was Bearing in mind the close interrelationship between supported. Integration programmes were organ- ensuring peace and security and the ability of the coun- ized by UNHCR. try to meet the humanitarian needs of its people and to take effective steps towards the rapid revitalization of GENERAL ASSEMBLY ACTION the economy, and reaffirming the urgent need to assist the Democratic Republic of the Congo in the rehabili- On 14 December [meeting 87], the General As- tation and reconstruction of its damaged economy and sembly adopted resolution 56/100 [draft: A/56/ in its efforts to restore basic services and the infrastruc- L.39 & Add.1] without vote [agenda item 20 (b)]. ture of the country, Special assistance for the economic recovery 1. Takesnote of the report of the Secretary-General; and reconstruction of the Democratic 2. Welcomes the opening of the Inter-Congolese Dia- Republic of the Congo logue on 15 October 2001, and calls upon all Congolese parties to make every effort to promote the process and The General Assembly, ensure the success of a fully inclusive dialogue in a Recalling its resolutions 52/169 A of 16 December spirit of consensus; 1997, 53/1 L of 7 December 1998,54/96 B of 8 Decem- 3. Urges all parties concerned in the region to cease ber 1999 and 55/166 of 14 December 2000, military activities, cease any support for armed groups Recalling also all resolutions of the Security Council and any recruitment, training and use of child soldiers, and all statements by its President relating to the situa- calls upon those States which have not done so to with- tion in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, draw from the territory of the Democratic Republic of Recalling further the Ceasefire Agreement signed in the Congo, in accordance with the Lusaka Ceasefire Lusaka and the Kampala disengagement plan and the Agreement, the Kampala disengagement plan and obligations of all signatories to those agreements and relevant Security Council resolutions, and urges all the obligations deriving from Security Council resolu- parties to engage in a process of political dialogue and tion 1304(2000), negotiation and to create the conditions necessary for Reaffirming the sovereignty, territorial integrity and the speedy and peaceful resolution of the crisis; political independence of the Democratic Republic of 4. Encourages the Government of the Democratic the Congo and all States in the region, Republic of the Congo to continue and develop its Alarmed at the plight of the civilian population cooperation with the United Nations, its specialized throughout the country, and calling for its protection, agencies and other organizations in addressing the Gravely concerned at the deteriorating economic, need for rehabilitation and reconstruction; social and humanitarian situation in the Democratic 5. Also encourages the Government of the Demo- Republic of the Congo, in particular in the eastern cratic Republic of the Congo to pursue sound macro- Congo, and at the effect of the continued fighting on economic policies and to promote good governance the inhabitants of the country, especially women and and the rule of the law, and urges it to exert all efforts children, for economic recovery and reconstruction despite the Deeply concerned at the increased rate of infection ongoing armed conflict; with the human immunodeficiency virus/acquired im- 6. Stresses the link between the peace process and the munodeficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS), in particular economic recovery of the Democratic Republic of the among women and girls in the Democratic Republic of Congo, welcomes economic reforms undertaken by its the Congo, Government, and encourages it to carry on with this Expressing its deep concern at the dire consequences of process for the benefit of the entire Congolese people; the conflict for the humanitarian and human rights 7. Also stresses the importance of the restoration of situations, river traffic, welcomes in this regard the reopening of Gravely concerned at the negative impact of war on the the Congo and the Oubangi Rivers, and expresses its promotion of the sustainable and overall development support for the establishment of the Congo River Basin of the country, Commission; Urging all parties to respect and protect human 8. Renews its urgent appeal to the executive boards of rights and respect international humanitarian law, in the United Nations funds and programmes to continue particular, the Geneva Conventions of 1949 and the ad- to keep under consideration the special needs of the ditional Protocols thereto, of 1977, Democratic Republic of the Congo;

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9. Welcomes the continued and increased efforts of food security, rehabilitation and reconstruction, the Secretary-General, the United Nations system and environmental conservation, refugee repatria- itsagencies,programmesandfundsinensuringthatthe tion, governance, human rights, gender main- gender perspective is mainstreamed in the reconstruc- tionagendaoftheDemocraticRepublicoftheCongo; streaming and the integration of NGOs and civil 10. Urges all parties to respect fully international society in development. The Secretary-General humanitarian law and to ensure the safe and unhin- called on the international community for finan- dered access of humanitarian personnel to all affected cial support to enable him to provide technical populations throughout the territory of the Democrat- assistance to implement urgent socio-economic ic Republic of the Congo and the safety of United programmes. Nations and humanitarian personnel, and in that re- gard stresses that the reopening of the Kisangani- GENERAL ASSEMBLY ACTION Kindu rail and river link would facilitate the delivery of humanitarian assistance, as well as the resupplying of On 14 December [meeting 87], the General As- humanitarian personnel; sembly adopted resolution 56/108 [draft: A/56/ 11. Calls upon the international community to con- L.56 & Add.1] without vote [agenda item 20 (b)]. tinue to provide support to the humanitarian relief ac- tivities within the Democratic Republic of the Congo; Economic assistance for the reconstruction and 12. Invites Governments to continue to provide sup- development of Djibouti port to the Democratic Republic of the Congo; The General Assembly, 13. Requests the Secretary-General: Recalling its resolution 54/96 C of 8 December 1999 (a) To continue to consult urgently with regional and its previous resolutions on economic assistance to leaders, in coordination with the Secretary-General of Djibouti, the Organization of African Unity, about ways to bring Recalling also the United Nations Millennium Decla- about a peaceful and durable solution to the conflict, ration, in accordance with the Lusaka Ceasefire Agreement Recalling further the Brussels Declaration and the and relevant Security Council resolutions; Programme of Action for the Least Developed Coun- (b) To continue to consult with regional leaders, in tries for the Decade 2001-2010, adopted by the Third coordination with the Secretary-General of the Or- United Nations Conference on the Least Developed ganization of African Unity, in order to convene, when Countries on 20 May 2001, as well as the mutual com- appropriate, an international conference on peace, se- mitments undertaken on that occasion and the impor- curity and development in Central Africa and in the tance attached to follow-up and the implementation of Great Lakes region, under the auspices of the United the Programme of Action, Nations and the Organization of African Unity, to ad- Aware that Djibouti is included in the list of least de- dress the problems of the region in a comprehensive veloped countries and that it is ranked 137th out of the manner; 162 countries studied in the Human Development Report (c) To keep under review the economic situation in 2001, the Democratic Republic of the Congo with a view to Noting that the economic and social development promoting participation in and support for a pro- efforts of Djibouti are constrained by the extremes of gramme of financial and material assistance to the the local climate, in particular cyclical droughts, and country to enable it to meet its urgent needs in terms of that the implementation of reconstruction and devel- economic recovery and reconstruction; opment programmes requires the deployment of sub- (d) To submit to the General Assembly at its fifty- stantial resources which exceed the capacity of the seventh session a report on the actions taken pursuant country, to the present resolution. Noting also that the situation in Djibouti has been made worse by the drought situation in the Horn of Af- Djibouti rica, and noting further the presence of tens of thou- In response to General Assembly resolution sands of refugees and persons displaced from their countries, which has placed serious strains on the frag- 54/96 C [YUN 1999, p. 851], the Secretary-General ile economic, social and administrative infrastructure submitted an August report [A/56/264] in which of Djibouti and caused security problems in the coun- he described the situation in Djibouti and pro- try, in particular in the city of Djibouti, gress made in providing assistance for recon- Noting with satisfaction that the Government of Dji- struction and development. The country’s devel- bouti is continuing to implement a structural adjust- opment challenges were related to the economic ment programme, and convinced of the necessity to and financial crisis, and recurring emergency support that financial recovery programme and to take situations, including drought, flood and epidem- effective measures to alleviate the consequences, in par- ics, combined with large-scale destruction of live- ticular the social consequences, of that adjustment pol- icy, so that the country may achieve lasting economic stock, water points, health and educational facili- results, ties as a result of the internal conflict in the Noting with gratitude the support provided to relief, country, had led to the need for further emer- demobilization and rehabilitation operations by vari- gency and humanitarian assistance. UN agencies ous countries and by intergovernmental and non- increasingly focused on social development in governmental organizations, Djibouti, through activities related to health, 1. Takesnote of the report of the Secretary-General;

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2. Declares its solidarity with the Government and the region. The report also discussed efforts the people of Djibouti, who continue to face critical made by the Central American Governments and challenges owing, in particular, to the scarcity of natu- people to recover from natural disasters and to ral resources, harsh climatic conditions and the con- tinuing critical situation in the Horn of Africa; utilize the reconstruction process as an opportu- 3. Notes with concern the cyclical drought phe- nity to transform their societies within the con- nomenon in Djibouti, which is wreaking a major hu- text of the Alliance for the Sustainable Develop- manitarian disaster upon tens of thousands of people, ment of Central America (ALIDES), established in particularly those who are vulnerable, and requests 1994 [YUN 1994, p. 389]. the international community to respond to the appeal The UNDP programme for subregional launched by the Government; cooperation in Central America, which was 4. Encourages the Government of Djibouti, despite difficult economic and regional situations, to continue launched in 1996 within the ALIDES framework its serious efforts towards the consolidation of democ- [YUN 1996, p. 154], focused on peace and demo- racy; cratic governance, economic and social develop- 5. Notes with satisfaction the implementation of a ment, and environmental sustainable develop- structural adjustment programme by Djibouti, and in ment. The UNDP programme and the national that context appeals to all Governments, international programmes of UN agencies were reviewed dur- financial institutions, the specialized agencies and non- ing the preparations and conclusions of the governmental organizations to respond adequately to the financial and material needs of the country; Regional Consultative Group for strengthening 6. Also notes with satisfaction the general peace agree- integration and cooperation in Central America ment concluded between the Government and the op- (Madrid, Spain, 8-9 March). With regard to position on 12 May 2001; peace and democratic governance, at the re- 7. Considers that the process of demobilization, rein- gional level the UNDP project entitled “State of tegration and employment of demobilized soldiers is the region” continued to carry out systematic essential not only for national rehabilitation but also follow-up on the process of human development for the success of agreements with the international fi- and integration in Central America. At the na- nancial institutions and for the consolidation of peace, and that it requires substantial resources that exceed tional level, the UN system in El Salvador, Guate- the capacity of the country; mala and Nicaragua continued to promote the 8. Expresses its gratitude to the intergovernmental or- consolidation of peace and consensus-building ganizations and the specialized agencies of the United on the reforms needed to address the root causes Nations for their contributions to the national rehabili- of the Central American conflict. UNDP support tation of Djibouti, and invites them to continue their was also provided to Costa Rica, Honduras and efforts; Panama. Bilateral donors had granted financial 9. Expresses its appreciation to the Secretary-General for his continued efforts to make the international com- resources to UNDP to strengthen democratic in- munity aware of the difficulties faced by Djibouti; stitutions at the national level in Guatemala and 10. Notes with gratitude Djibouti’s support for re- Honduras. UNDP/Guatemala initiated pro- gional peace efforts and its commitment to worldwide grammes in the area of human rights, justice and efforts to fight terrorism; reconciliation. Economic and social develop- 11. Requests the Secretary-General to continue, in ment programmes were carried out throughout close cooperation with the Government of Djibouti, his the region to alleviate poverty, improve agricul- efforts to mobilize resources necessary for an effective programme of financial, technical and material assist- tural development, health and nutrition, public ance to Djibouti; finance and economic growth and reduce envi- 12. Also requests the Secretary-General to report to ronmental vulnerability. the General Assembly at its fifty-eighth session on the progress made with regard to economic assistance to GENERAL ASSEMBLY ACTION Djibouti and the implementation of the present resolu- On 14 December [meeting 87], the General As- tion. sembly adopted resolution 56/105 [draft: A/56/ L.53 & Add.1] without vote [agenda item 20 (b)]. Other economic assistance International assistance to and cooperation with the Alliance for the Sustainable Central America Development of Central America In a July report [A/56/158], submitted in re- The General Assembly, sponse to General Assembly resolution 54/96 E Reaffirming the resolutions in which it emphasizes [YUN 1999, p. 852], the Secretary-General described and acknowledges the importance of international, bi- lateral and multilateral economic, financial and techni- the activities of UNDP and other UN organs, or- cal support, cooperation and assistance for peace- ganizations and programmes carried out be- keeping and peace-building in Central America tween August 1999 and April 2001 to support the following the armed conflicts in the region, in particu- efforts of Central American countries to imple- lar its resolutions 49/21 I of 20 December 1994, ment a new sustainable development strategy in 50/58 B of 12 December 1995, 50/132 of 20 December

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1995, 52/169 G of 16 December 1997 and 54/96 E of 15 natural disasters and for promoting sustainable devel- December 1999,which provide a frame of reference for opment, international assistance to and cooperation with the Al- Considering the necessity of ensuring the elimination liance for the Sustainable Development of Central of anti-personnel mines from Central American terri- America, in support of national efforts to make the re- tory as well as the rehabilitation and reintegration of gion a zone of peace, freedom, democracy and devel- mine victims in their communities in order to restore opment, normal conditions for the integral development of that Noting that the Central American countries have region, achieved significant progress towards the consolidation Recognizing the valuable and effective contribution of democracy and good governance, the strengthening made by the organs, organizations and programmes of of civilian Governments, respect for human rights and the United Nations system and by the various govern- the rule of law and the promotion of State and eco- mental and non-governmental mechanisms, the donor nomic reforms, sustainable development and regional community and the Regional Consultative Group for integration, reflecting the desire of the Central Ameri- the transformation and modernization of Central can peoples to live and prosper in a climate of peace America and the importance of the political dialogue and solidarity, and cooperation taking place between the European Stressing the importance and effectiveness of the Union and Central America and the joint initiative of commitments undertaken by the Central American the industrialized countries of the Group of Twenty- Presidents at various regional presidential summits, in four and the Group of Three (Colombia, Mexico and particular those which constitute the global framework Venezuela) in the progress made towards consolidating for promoting and consolidating peace, freedom, de- peace, freedom, democracy and the implementation of mocracy and sustainable human development in Cen- the Alliance for the Sustainable Development of Cen- tral America, tral America, Stressing also the consolidation of the Centre for Reaffirming the need to continue focusing attention Coordination of the Prevention of Natural Disasters in on the situation in Central America, with a view to over- Central America, which is of great value for the sub- coming the underlying causes of the armed conflicts region in the development of more effective strategies which have impeded the development of the region to mitigate the impact of natural disasters, and avoiding a reversal of the achievements, 1. of the report of the Recognizing the extreme vulnerability of the poorest Takes note with satisfaction sectors of the population, in particular women and Secretary-General; children, and the inadequacy of existing local and na- 2. Reiterates the importance of supporting and tional institutions to deal with recurrent natural disas- strengthening the efforts of the Central American ters, countries to implement the Strategic Framework for the Reduction of Vulnerability and Disasters in Central Noting that the various natural phenomena which America, and the projects and programmes of the have affected the region are one of the factors that have Quinquennium for the Reduction of Vulnerability to put at risk the biodiversity of Central America, and the Impact of Natural Disasters in Central Amer- Noting also the holding of the meeting of the Re- ica, in accordance with the process of transformation gional Consultative Group for the transformation and and sustainable development for the region, which modernization of Central America, co-hosted by the contain basic guidelines for the prevention and mitiga- Inter-American Development Bank and the Govern- tion of damage, with special emphasis on the most vul- ment of Spain, in Madrid on 8 and 9 March 2001, at nerable groups and sectors, as identified by levels of which the main theme was the revision of the regional poverty and marginality; strategy for strengthening regional integration and 3. Notes the efforts and achievements relating to cooperation and their contribution to poverty reduc- mine clearance in Central America, and appeals to the tion and the acceleration of sustainable growth, organs of the United Nations system, in particular the Taking into account that the Governments of the re- Mine Action Service of the Department of Peace- gion have designated the period 2000-2004 as the keeping Operations of the Secretariat, the Organiza- Quinquennium for the Reduction of Vulnerability to tion of American States, as well as the international and the Impact of Natural Disasters in Central Amer- community, to continue providing the material, techni- ica and that the Presidents of the region adopted the cal and financial support needed by the Central Ameri- Strategic Framework for the Reduction of Vulnerabil- can Governments to complete mine-clearance, mine- ity and Disasters in Central America, on 19 October awareness and victim assistance activities in the region, 1999, in the Declaration of Guatemala II which con- in conformity with the relevant resolutions of the tains guidelines for the elaboration, updating, im- United Nations and with the provisions of the Conven- provement and development of regional plans for the tion on the Prohibition of the Use, Stockpiling, Produc- reduction of vulnerability to and the impact of natural tion and Transfer of Anti-personnel Mines and disasters, the integrated management and conserva- on Their Destruction that relate to international tion of water resources and the prevention and control cooperation and assistance; of forest fires, 4. Stresses the need for the international community Stressing that the achievement of the national priori- to maintain its cooperation and assistance, including ties in the political, economic, social, cultural, environ- provision of financial resources, both bilateral and mental, public safety and regional integration fields, multilateral, with the Central American countries to which are set out in the programme of the Alliance for support the promotion of sustainable development the Sustainable Development of Central America, is es- and the consolidation of peace, freedom and democ- sential for reducing the vulnerability of the region to racy in the region;

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5. Notes with appreciation the revision of the sub- work for the period 2002-2006. Its overall regional cooperation programme in Central America objective was to promote sustainable human de- of the United Nations Development Programme, velopment through action to combat poverty and launched in 1996, and of the national programmes of other United Nations agencies on the basis of the re- social exclusion, the strengthening of the rule of gional strategy entitled “Strategy for the transforma- law, and the protection, observance and achieve- tion and modernization of Central America”, the main ment of human rights. At the same time, the Gov- objectives of which are the reduction of social, eco- ernment had focused on formulating its me- nomic and environmental vulnerabilities, the transfor- dium- and long-term strategic development mation of productive sectors, sustainable management framework, using, among other sources, the UN of natural resources, and the increased participation of system’s common country assessment document civil society in development; to provide data and indicators for planning Hai- 6. Notes with satisfaction the progress achieved in the establishment of a Meso-American Biological Corri- ti’s development programmes. The resident co- dor, which is being developed with assistance from the ordinator would continue to advocate action to United Nations Development Programme’s own strengthen the operational links between the UN funds, the Global Environment Facility through the system, the Bretton Woods institutions and the World Bank, the United Nations Environment Pro- donor community. gramme, the Inter-American Development Bank, the German Agency for Technical Cooperation and the ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COUNCIL ACTION United States Agency for International Development; On 26 July [meeting 43], the Economic and Social 7. Supports the decision of the Central American Governments to concentrate their efforts on the imple- Counciladoptedresolution2001/25 [draft:E/2001/ mentation of updated programmes with strategies to L.35] without vote [agenda item 7 (f)]. achieve sustainable human development in previously Long-term programme of support for Haiti determined priority areas, which help to consolidate The Economic and Social Council, democracy and resolve social inequalities and extreme Recalling its resolution 1999/11 of 27 July 1999 and poverty; its decision 2000/235 of 27 July 2000, 8. Requests the Secretary-General, the organs, or- Taking note of the comprehensive report of the ganizations and programmes of the United Nations Secretary-General on the long-term programme of system and all States, international financial institu- support for Haiti, tions and regional and subregional organizations to Welcoming the key role being played by the Organiza- continue providing the support needed to attain the ob- tion of American States and the Caribbean Community jectives of the programme for the sustainable develop- in supporting the efforts of the Haitian Government ment of Central America, including those which are and people to resolve the political, social and economic being pursued within the framework of the Quinquen- crisis, nium for the Reduction of Vulnerability to and the Im- Requests the Secretary-General to report to it at its pact of Natural Disasters in Central America; substantive session of 2002 on progress achieved in 9. Requests the Secretary-General to report to the elaborating a long-term programme of support for General Assembly at its fifty-eighth session on the im- Haiti and on the practical modalities for its implemen- plementation of the present resolution; tation. 10. Decides to consider at its fifty-eighth session the question of international assistance to and cooperation with the Alliance for the Sustainable Development of Third States affected by sanctions Central America. In a June note [E/2001/90], submitted in re- sponse to Economic and Social Council reso- Haiti lution 2000/32 [YUN 2000, p. 879] and General As- In response to Economic and Social Council sembly resolution 55/157 [ibid., p. 1271], the decision 2000/235 [YUN 2000, p. 879], the Secretary-General drew attention to his 2000 re- Secretary-General submitted a May report port on the implementation of the provisions of [E/2001/67] on steps taken by the Haitian Govern- the Charter of the United Nations related to ment, the UN system and the international com- assistance to third States affected by the applica- munity towards elaborating a long-term pro- tion of sanctions [ibid., p. 1270]. gramme of support for Haiti and on practical On 26 July, the Council took note of the modalities for its implementation. Secretary-General’s note (decision 2001/315). The Secretary-General described the UN de- velopment system’s principal activities in Haiti in States affected in the Balkans 2000 and observed that significant progress had In response to General Assembly resolution been achieved in terms of preparing instruments 55/170 [YUN 2000, p. 880], the Secretary-General to improve the coordination of UN operational submitted a November report on economic activities with the Government of Haiti. The UN assistance to the Eastern European States af- system country team had concluded in April the fected by the consequences of severing their eco- United Nations Development Assistance Frame- nomic relations with FRY [A/56/632]. The report

YUN01—REPROS—cxs JUNE 17 2003 Humanitarian and special economic assistance 857 summarized information provided by seven munity and international financial institutions for States and 11 UN organizations, programmes reconstruction and development efforts in South- and funds describing action they had taken to Eastern Europe, Welcoming the democratic changes in the Federal assist the affected States. Republic of Yugoslavia and their positive effects on Although the limited number of replies was in- peace, stability and development in South-Eastern sufficient to make a conclusive assessment, the Europe, Secretary-General noted that recent analyses by Welcoming also the positive results of the Interna- international bodies in the region indicated that tional Donors Conference for the Federal Republic of the affected countries continued to face varying Yugoslavia, co-hosted by the World Bank and the Euro- economic difficulties and adjustment problems. pean Commission in Brussels on 29 June 2001, and the progress achieved in mobilizing and coordinating sup- Those difficulties stemmed from internal and port of the donor community and international finan- external factors, including the long-term conse- cial institutions for the reconstruction and develop- quences of the developments in the Balkans dur- ment of Yugoslavia, ing the preceding decade. The recent democratic Taking note of the report of the Secretary-General changes in FRY (see p. 345) had strengthened the and the conclusions contained therein, prospects for resuming and enhancing regional 1. Expresses concern at the persistence of special eco- cooperation, particularly with regard to tradi- nomic problems confronting the Eastern European tional economic links throughout the Balkans States affected by the developments in the Balkans, in particular their impact on regional trade and economic and the rest of Europe. However, ensuring the relations and on the navigation along the Danube and lasting stability and sustainable development of on the Adriatic Sea; South-Eastern Europe would require the contin- 2. Welcomes the support already provided by the ued and concerted efforts of the countries of the international community, in particular by the Euro- region and the international development actors. pean Union and other major donors, to the affected States to assist them in coping with their special eco- GENERAL ASSEMBLY ACTION nomic problems during the transition period following the developments in the Balkans, as well as in the On 14 December [meeting 87], the General As- longer-term process of economic recovery, structural sembly adopted resolution 56/110 [draft: A/56/ adjustment and development in the region; L.58 & Add.1] without vote [agenda item 20 (b)]. 3. Also welcomes the progress made in the implemen- tation of the Stability Pact for South-Eastern Europe, Economic assistance to the Eastern European States the objective of which is to strengthen countries in affected by the developments in the Balkans South-Eastern Europe in their efforts to foster peace, The General Assembly, democracy, respect for human rights and economic Recalling its resolutions 54/96 G of 15 December prosperity, in order to achieve stability in the whole 1999 and 55/170 of 14 December 2000, region, and in its follow-up activities, aimed, inter alia, Recalling also the Stability Pact for South-Eastern at economic reconstruction, development and co- Europe, adopted in Cologne, Germany, on 10 June operation, including economic cooperation in the re- 1999, and endorsed at the Sarajevo Summit of 30 July gion and between the region and the rest of Europe; 1999,and emphasizing the crucial importance of its im- 4. Invites all States and the relevant international or- plementation, ganizations, both within and outside the United Stressing the importance of the regional cooperation Nations system, in particular the international finan- initiatives, assistance arrangements and organizations, cial institutions, to continue to take into account the such as the South-East European Cooperative Initia- special needs and situations of the affected States in tive, the South-East European Cooperation Process, the providing support and assistance to their efforts for Central European Initiative, the Black Sea Economic economic recovery, structural adjustment and develop- Cooperation Organization and the Danube Commis- ment; sion, as well as the Stabilization and Association process 5. Emphasizes the importance of a well-coordinated and other arrangements for the Eastern European and timely donor response to the external funding re- States with the European Union, quirements of the process for economic reconstruc- Noting the leading role played by the high-level steer- tion, stabilization, reform and development in the Bal- ing group for South-Eastern Europe, under the joint kans, as well as financial support to other affected chairmanship of the European Commission and the countries of Eastern Europe; World Bank, in guiding the donor coordination pro- 6. Encourages the affected States of the region to cess for the economic reconstruction, stabilization, continue and enhance the process of multilateral re- reform and development of the region, in close gional cooperation in the fields of transport and infra- cooperation with the Stability Pact, structure development, including the resumption of Mindful of the positive results of the two regional full navigation on the Danube, as well as to foster con- funding conferences for South-Eastern Europe organ- ditions favourable to trade, in such areas as customs, in- ized by the European Commission and the World Bank vestment and private sector development, including in cooperation with the Stability Pact, held in Brussels privatization, in all the countries of the region; on 29 and 30 March 2000 and in Bucharest on 25 and 7. Invites the relevant international organizations 26 October 2001, and of the progress achieved in mo- to take appropriate steps, consistent with the principle bilizing and coordinating support of the donor com- of efficient and effective procurement and with the

YUN01—REPROS—cxs JUNE 17 2003 858 Economic and social questions agreed measures for procurement reform, in order to versely affected Fiji and Vanuatu. Five weeks broaden access for interested local and regional ven- later, tropical cyclone Sose struck the same is- dors and to facilitate their participation in the interna- lands of central and southern Vanuatu. Outer- tional assistance efforts for the reconstruction, recov- ery and development of the region; island communities in Vanuatu were again af- 8. Requests the Secretary-General to report to the fected by the eruption of Lopevi Volcanoin June. General Assembly at its fifty-eighth session on the im- During the year, the Office for the Co- plementation of the present resolution. ordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), through the Response Coordination Branch and the Emergency Services Branch, mobilized and Disaster relief coordinated assistance to 67 natural disasters. GENERAL ASSEMBLY ACTION On 14 December [meeting 87], the General As- The scale and number of natural disasters con- sembly adopted resolution 56/99 [draft: A/56/L.14 tinued to grow in 2001. Asia was struck by more & Add.1] without vote [agenda item 20 (a)]. natural disasters than any other continent during Emergency response to disasters the year, among them consecutive dzuds, or peri- The General Assembly, ods of devastating cold, in Mongolia, a devastat- Reaffirming its resolution 46/182 of 19 December ing earthquake in India, serious floods in Ban- 1991 on the strengthening of the coordination of emer- gladesh, Cambodia and Viet Nam, and a volcanic gency humanitarian assistance of the United Nations, eruption in the Philippines. In the first 10 including the guiding principles of humanitarian months of the year, natural disasters killed 20,871 assistance contained therein, people and affected 57.8 million others in the re- Recalling its resolutions 44/236 of 22 December 1989, 54/30 of 22 November 1999and 54/219of 22 De- gion. cember 1999, Southern Africa witnessed a series of extensive Welcoming the International Strategy for Disaster floods and droughts in 2001. Heavy rains caused Reduction, severe flooding in Angola, Malawi, Mozam- Deeply concerned by the fact that natural disasters in bique, Zambia and Zimbabwe, while other areas every corner of the globe continue to claim high num- of Mozambique, Zambia and Zimbabwe were bers of casualties and cause immense material damage parched by drought after long spells without and that the frequency and magnitude of these catas- rain. Flooding in southern Angola added to the trophes place an ever-increasing material and moral burden on nations, disruption caused by the civil war, and nearly 50 Reiterating the importance of mounting prompt and per cent of Malawi’s 27 districts were flooded and effective relief operations in the aftermath of such 130,000 people were displaced. When the rivers deadly calamities in the future, Shire (Malawi) and Zambezi (Zimbabwe) burst Welcoming the ongoing efforts, led by the Office for their banks, flood waters rose drastically in the the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs of the four central and southern provinces of Mozam- Secretariat, aimed at promoting preparedness for dis- bique and more than 500,000 people were af- aster response at the international, regional and na- fected, of whom more than 230,000 were dis- tional levels, including, in collaboration with the Inter- national Search and Rescue Advisory Group, initiatives placed. Central and East Africa were affected by to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of interna- both man-made and natural disasters that caused tional urban search and rescue assistance in the after- appalling levels of human suffering. West Africa math of natural disasters, experienced climatic changes manifested in 1. Expresses its solidarity with the peoples of the coun- natural disasters, including flooding and tries that have been struck by natural calamities as they drought, and forced migration southwards from cope with the consequences of these disasters; the Sahel, due to desertification and lack of culti- 2. Expresses its appreciation to all States of the interna- vable land. tional community, international agencies and organi- zations and non-governmental organizations and indi- The Latin America and Caribbean region was viduals that are providing emergency relief to the areas hit hard in 2001. Within one month, two earth- affected by natural disasters; quakes shook El Salvador, followed by an earth- 3. Notes with satisfaction the progress achieved by the quake in Peru, then drought affected Central Governments of Turkey and Greece, in cooperation America, and, during the hurricane season, hur- with the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian ricanes Iris and Michelle wrought havoc in Cen- Affairs of the Secretariat, on the formation of a joint tral America and the Caribbean. Hellenic-Turkish standby disaster response unit, which will be operational in the near future, with no The year was relatively calm in the Pacific in financial implications for the programme budget of terms of natural disasters, reflecting the pro- the United Nations; longed but weakening La Niña phase. However, 4. Requests the Secretary-General, through the at the end of February, tropical cyclone Paula ad- Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs,

YUN01—REPROS—cxs JUNE 17 2003 Humanitarian and special economic assistance 859 to continue work on the modalities for the utilization of OCHA, UNDP and other partners, take the lead in the standby disaster relief unit by the United Nations developing an inventory of existing disaster miti- system; gation capacity and inform the Assembly of pro- 5. Also requests the Secretary-General to report to the gress made. General Assembly at its fifty-seventh session on the progress made in the implementation of the present resolution. GENERAL ASSEMBLY ACTION On 14 December [meeting 87], the General As- sembly adopted resolution 56/103 [draft: A/56/ International cooperation L.51& Corr.1 & Add.1] without vote [agenda item 20 (a)]. In response to General Assembly resolution International cooperation on humanitarian 55/163 [YUN 2000, p. 848], the Secretary-General assistance in the field of natural disasters, submitted an August report [A/56/307] in which from relief to development he described international cooperation to miti- The General Assembly, gate the effects of natural disasters. OCHA, the Reaffirming its resolution 46/182 of 19 December focal point within the UN system to promote 1991, the annex to which contains the guiding princi- and coordinate disaster response preparedness ples for the strengthening of the coordination of emer- gency humanitarian assistance of the United Nations among the UN humanitarian agencies and other system, and its resolutions 52/12 B of 19 December partners, had carried out an independent review 1997, 54/219 and 54/233 of 22 December 1999 and of the UN disaster assessment and coordination 55/163 of 14December 2000, and recalling agreed con- system, which had engendered useful recom- clusions 1999/1 of the Economic and Social Council mendations to improve the system further. To and Council resolution 1999/63 of 30 July 1999, strengthen response preparedness, OCHA estab- Recognizing the importance of the principles of neu- lished offices for regional disaster response ad- trality, humanity and impartiality for the provision of visers in South America, Asia and the Pacific. In humanitarian assistance, Emphasizing that the affected State has the primary response to an increase in disasters affecting en- responsibility in the initiation, organization, coordi- tire regions, UN agencies with mitigation re- nation and implementation of humanitarian assistance sponsibilities, such as UNDP, FAO, WFP, the World within its territory,and in the facilitation of the work of Meteorological Organization (WMO) and the humanitarian organizations in mitigating the conse- World Bank, had increased their disaster reduc- quences of natural disasters, tion capacities and funding. The UN disaster Emphasizing also the responsibility of all States to assessment and coordination team system re- undertake disaster preparedness and mitigation ef- forts in order to minimize the impact of natural disas- mained one of the most effective and participa- ters, tory international rapid response tools available Welcoming the International Strategy for Disaster to the Emergency Relief Coordinator. In the first Reduction, half of 2001, six missions were undertaken, in- Emphasizing the importance of raising awareness cluding in response to the severe winter in Mon- among developing countries of the capacities existing golia, floods in the Russian Federation and at the national, regional and international levels that earthquakes in El Salvador, India and Peru. The could be deployed to assist them, International Search and Rescue Advisory Group Emphasizing also the importance of international took major steps during the year to speed up the cooperation in support of the efforts of the affected States in dealing with natural disasters in all their response of international urban search and res- phases, including prevention, preparedness, mitiga- cue teams in the event of an earthquake. tion and recovery and reconstruction, and of strength- With regard to the transition from relief to ening the response capacity of affected countries, recovery after a major emergency, external 1. Takes note of the report of the Secretary-General strengthening of capacities from an early stage on international cooperation on humanitarian assist- was necessary to ensure a smooth process. The ance in the field of natural disasters, from relief to de- concept of transitional recovery teams had been velopment and on strengthening the coordination of emergency humanitarian assistance of the United introduced by UNDP, which had further strength- Nations; ened the capacity of its country offices and the 2. Expresses deep concern at the increasing number resident coordinator system to initiate support to and scale of natural disasters, resulting in massive the early recovery efforts of national authorities. losses of life and property worldwide, in particular in At the country level, UNDP had supported more vulnerable societies lacking adequate capacity to miti- than 50 national capacity-building programmes gate effectively the long-term negative social, economic in natural disaster prevention, preparedness and and environmental consequences of natural disasters; 3. Calls upon all States to adopt, where required, and mitigation. to continue to implement effectively necessary legisla- The Secretary-General recommended that the tive and other appropriate measures to mitigate the secretariat of the International Strategy for Dis- effects of natural disasters, inter alia, by disaster pre- aster Reduction (see p. 861),in collaboration with vention, including building regulations and appropri-

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ate land use, as well as disaster preparedness and and, where appropriate, regional and subregional ca- capacity-building in disaster response, and requests pacities of developing countries for disaster the international community in that context to con- preparedness and response, which may be made avail- tinue to assist developing countries, where appropriate; able in closer proximity to the site of a disaster, more 4. Stresses, in that context, the importance of efficiently and at lower cost; strengthening international cooperation in the provi- 13. Welcomes the role of the Office for the sion of humanitarian assistance in support of the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs of the Secreta- efforts of the affected States in dealing with natural dis- riat as the focal point within the overall United Nations asters in all their phases, from relief and mitigation to system for the promotion and coordination of disaster development, including through the provision of ade- response preparedness among the United Nations hu- quate resources, and encourages the effective use of manitarian agencies and other humanitarian partners; multilateral mechanisms; 14 . Also welcomes the establishment of the positions 5. Also stresses that humanitarian assistance for natu- of regional disaster response advisers by the Office for ral disasters should be provided in accordance with and the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, as well as with due respect for the guiding principles contained the initiative of the United Nations Development in the annex to resolution 46/182, and should be deter- Programme to establish regional disaster reduction mined on the basis of the human dimension and needs adviser positions, and encourages the further develop- arising out of the particular natural disasters; ment of those initiatives in a coordinated and comple- 6. Recognizes that economic growth and sustainable mentary manner in order to assist developing coun- development contribute to improving the capacity of tries in capacity-building for disaster prevention, States to mitigate, respond to and prepare for natural preparedness mitigation and response; disasters; 15. Takes note of the initiatives taken by the Office 7. Reaffirms that disaster reduction forms an inte- for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs and by gral part of sustainable development strategies and the International Search and Rescue Advisory Group needs to be considered in the development plans of all to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of interna- vulnerable countries and communities, and also reaf- tional urban search and rescue assistance in the after- firms that within such preventive strategies, disaster math of natural disasters; preparedness and early warning systems must be 16. Encourages the Office for the Coordination of strengthened further at the country and regional lev- Humanitarian Affairs to continue its efforts to promote els, inter alia, through better coordination among rele- greater international cooperation to improve the effi- vant United Nations bodies and cooperation with Gov- ciency and effectiveness of urban search and rescue ernments of affected countries and regional and other assistance; relevant organizations with the aim of maximizing the 17. Encourages further cooperation between the effectiveness of natural disaster response and reducing United Nations system and regional organizations in the impact of natural disasters, particularly in develop- order to increase the capacity of those organizations to ing countries; respond to natural disasters; 8. Emphasizes the importance of enhanced interna- 18. Encourages States that have not signed or ratified tional cooperation, including with the United Nations the Tampere Convention on the Provision of Telecom- and regional organizations, to assist developing coun- munication Resources for Disaster Mitigation and Re- tries in their efforts to build capacities, and to predict, lief Operations, adopted at Tampere, Finland, on 18 prepare and respond to natural disasters; June 1998, to consider doing so; 9. Stresses the need for partnership among Govern- 19 . Invites the United Nations system to explore ments of the affected countries, relevant humanitarian further the concept of transitional recovery teams for organizations and specialized companies to promote providing assistance for bridging relief assistance and training in, access to and use of technologies to development cooperation; strengthen preparedness for and response to natural 20. Requests the Secretary-General, in collaboration disasters, and to enhance the transfer of current tech- with relevant organization partners, to continue pro- nologies and corresponding know-how, in particular to gress on compiling a directory of disaster mitigation developing countries, on concessional and preferential capacity existing at the national, regional and interna- terms, as mutually agreed; tional levels and developing the Directory of Advanced 10. Encourages the further use of space-based and Technologiesfor Disaster Response as a new part of the ground-based remote-sensing technologies for the pre- Central Register of Disaster Management Capacities; vention, mitigation and management of natural disas- 21. Also requests the Secretary-General to complete ters, where appropriate; the project of issuing a global report on disaster reduc- 11. Also encourages in such operations the sharing of tion as undertaken by the International Strategy for geographical data, including remotely sensed images Disaster Reduction; and geographic information system and global posi- 22. Further requests the Secretary-General to con- tioning system data among Governments, space agen- tinue to consider mechanisms to improve the inter- cies and relevant international humanitarian organiza- national response to natural disasters, inter alia, by tions, as appropriate, and notes in that context the work addressing any geographical and sectoral imbalances being done by the International Charter on Space and in such a response, where they exist, as well as by more Major Disasters and the Global Disaster Information effective use of national emergency response agencies, Network; taking into account their comparative advantages and 12. Stresses that particular international cooperation specializations, as well as existing arrangements, and to efforts should be undertaken to enhance and broaden report thereon to the General Assembly at its fifty- further the utilization of national and local capacities seventh session under the item entitled “Strengthening

YUN01—REPROS—cxs JUNE 17 2003 Humanitarian and special economic assistance 861 of the coordination of humanitarian and disaster relief The Secretary-General recommended that the assistance of the United Nations, including special eco- framework serve as the basic guide to implement nomic assistance”, with a view, inter alia, to contribut- the Strategy. He proposed that the Economic and ing towards the comprehensive report on the imple- mentation of the International Strategy for Disaster Social Council and the Assembly launch a 10-year Reduction, to be submitted to the Assembly at that ses- review of the implementation of the outcome of sion under the item entitled “Environment and sus- the 1994 Yokohama World Conference on Natu- tainable development”. ral Disaster Reduction [YUN 1994, p. 851], begin- ning in 2002, to ensure that a comprehensive as- sessment was made of progress in disaster International Strategy for reduction, with a view to identifying ways to fur- Disaster Reduction ther strengthen the efforts of the international In response to General Assembly resolution community in support of that objective. The for- mula for constituting the Inter-Agency Task 54/219 [YUN 1999, p. 861], the Secretary-General Force should be modified in order to provide for submitted a May report [A/56/68-E/2001/63 & increased participation of regional organizations Corr.1] on the implementation of the Interna- tional Strategy for Disaster Reduction (ISDR). and ensure the continued membership of key UN The Inter-Agency TaskForce for Disaster Reduc- agencies. The key strategic agencies that partici- tion and the ISDR secretariat served as the main pated in the TaskForce should be increased from mechanisms for the implementation of the Strat- eight to a maximum of 14. Similarly, the number egy. of regional organizations should be increased to a maximum of eight. Half of the members repre- The Inter-Agency Task Force (Geneva, 3-4 senting regional organizations and NGOs should May) identified priority issues in disaster reduc- be rotated on a biennial basis, beginning in Janu- tion to be addressed by the international commu- ary 2002. Donors were urged to increase their nity. A review of the Task Force working groups contributions to the Trust Fund for the Inter- [YUN 2000, p. 882] suggested that start-up activities national Strategy for Disaster Reduction. The in terms of the identification of their member- Secretary-General intended to report to the As- ship, agreement on their work programme and sembly’s sixty-first session in 2006 on the imple- the determination of the substantive issues to be mentation of his recommendations to determine addressed required considerable effort on the what modifications might be necessary in the part of the lead agencies. Moreover, the conven- Strategy, taking into account the recommenda- ing of meetings had been constrained by the lack tions emanating from the proposed 10-year re- of resources. view of the Yokohama conference process. The ISDR secretariat had developed a frame- A further meeting of the Inter-Agency Task work for action to implement the Strategy, which Force (Geneva, 15-16 November) reviewed identified four main objectives: increasing public achievements made in implementing its work awareness; promoting commitment on the part plan for 2001. of public authorities; stimulating interdiscipli- nary and intersectoral partnerships, and expand- ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COUNCIL ACTION ing risk reduction networking; and improving On 26 July [meeting 43], the Economic and Social scientific knowledge of the causes of natural dis- Counciladoptedresolution2001/35 [draft: E/2001/ asters and the effects of natural hazards and re- L.19/Rev.1] without vote [agenda item 13 (h)]. lated technological and environmental disasters on societies. The framework also incorporated International Strategy for Disaster Reduction the continuation of international cooperation to The Economic and Social Council, reduce the impact of El Niño and other climatic Recalling General Assembly resolutions 44/236 of 22 variables and the strengthening of disaster re- December 1989, 49/22 A of 2 December 1994, 49/22 B duction capacities through the development of of 20 December 1994, 53/185 of 15 December 1998, 54/219 of 22 December 1999 and 55/163 of 14 Decem- early warning systems. The Task Force, which ber 2000, and reiterating its resolution 1999/63 of 30 had endorsed the framework, had succeeded in July 1999 entitled “International Decade for Natural identifying priority areas for action relevant to Disaster Reduction: successor arrangements”, disaster reduction, including climate variability, Recalling also the forward-looking platform for in- early warning, vulnerability and risk, as well as ternational concerted disaster reduction, as developed wild land fires. It had also sought to launch initia- by the World Conference on Natural Disaster Reduc- tives on those areas through its working groups. tion and as expressed in the Yokohama Strategy for a Safer World: Guidelines for Natural Disaster Preven- The report described activities taken by part- tion, Preparedness and Mitigation and its Plan of Ac- ner agencies and organizations to support the tion, as well as the Geneva mandate on disaster reduc- Strategy. tion and the strategy document entitled “A safer world

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in the twenty-first century: risk and disaster reduc- reviewed, according to the evolving needs in the field of tion”, natural disaster reduction; Emphasizing the multisectoral, interdisciplinary and 5. Urges all relevant bodies within the United cross-cutting nature of natural disaster reduction, and Nations system to cooperate fully within the context of stressing that continued interaction, cooperation and the framework; partnerships among the institutions concerned are 6. Stresses that the inter-agency secretariat for the considered essential to achieve jointly agreed objectives implementation of the Strategy should be consolidated and priorities, to perform its functions effectively, in particular to Having considered the report of the Secretary- serve as the focal point within the United Nations sys- General, including the conclusions and recommenda- tem for the coordination of disaster reduction and to tions contained therein, ensure synergies among disaster-reduction activities of Having also considered the current institutional ar- the United Nations system and regional organizations rangements, as established by the General Assembly in and activities in socio-economic and humanitarian its resolution 54/219, with the Inter-Agency TaskForce fields; for Disaster Reduction and the inter-agency secretariat 7. Calls upon Governments to continue to cooperate for the implementation of the International Strategy and coordinate their efforts with the United Nations for Disaster Reduction, and taking into account the as- system, other international organizations, regional sessment after the first period of operations, organizations, non-governmental organizations and Recognizing that disaster reduction is an important other partners, as appropriate, in order to ensure effec- element contributing to the achievement of sustainable tive synergies in the field of natural disasters, and development and that it should be taken into account in urges the Strategy secretariat to develop such syner- the preparatory process of the World Summit on Sus- gies, as appropriate; tainable Development to be held at Johannesburg, 8. Underlines the importance of adequate financial South Africa, in 2002, and administrative resources for the effective function- Reiterating that natural disasters damage the social ing of the Task Force and the Strategy secretariat, and economic infrastructure of all countries, although under the direct authority of the Under-Secretary- the long-term consequences of natural disasters are es- General for Humanitarian Affairs; pecially severe for developing countries and hamper their sustainable development, 9. Calls upon Governments to establish national platforms or focal points for disaster reduction, urges Welcoming the emphasis placed on natural disaster the United Nations system to provide appropriate sup- reduction in the Programme of Action for the Least De- port for those mechanisms, and invites the Secretary- veloped Countries for the Decade 2001-2010, adopted General to strengthen the regional outreach of the at Brussels in May 2001, Strategy secretariat in order to ensure such support; Recognizing that disaster reduction should be re- garded as an important function of the United Nations 10. Invites Governments and relevant organizations and should receive continued attention, of the United Nations system to strengthen national Stressing the need for the international community participation, in particular of disaster-prone countries, to demonstrate the firm political determination re- in the Strategy, including through national multisec- quired to utilize scientific and technical knowledge to toral and interdisciplinary platforms, in order to achieve reduce the vulnerability to natural disasters and envi- sustainable development goals and objectives, with the ronmental hazards, taking into account the particular full utilization of scientific and technical knowledge, needs of developing countries, including through capacity-building at all levels and 1. Expresses its deep concern at the increasing number the development and strengthening of global and re- and scale of natural disasters, which have resulted in gional approaches that take into account regional, sub- massive loss of life and long-term negative social, eco- regional, national and local circumstances and needs, nomic and environmental consequences for vulnerable as well as the need to strengthen coordination of na- societies worldwide, in particular in developing coun- tional emergency response agencies; tries; 11. Recognizes the urgent need to develop further 2. Reaffirms that the Inter-Agency Task Force for and make use of the existing scientific and technical Disaster Reduction should perform the functions as in- knowledge to reduce vulnerability to natural disasters, dicated in the report of the Secretary General, in par- and emphasizes the need for developing countries to ticular to serve as a main forum within the United have access to technology to tackle natural disasters Nations system for devising strategies and policies for effectively; disaster reduction and to ensure complementary 12. Encourages the international community to pro- action by agencies involved in disaster reduction, miti- vide the necessary financial resources to the Trust gation and preparedness, and decides to review the Fund for the International Strategy for Disaster Reduc- activities of the Task Force in 2003; tion and to provide adequate scientific, technical, hu- 3. Decides that the Task Force should be modified man and other resources to ensure adequate support in order to provide for the increased participation of for the Strategy secretariat and for the Task Force and regional organizations and to ensure the continued its working groups; membership of key United Nations agencies; 13. Requests the relevant organizations of the 4. Recognizes that the framework for action for the United Nations system to support the implementation implementation of the International Strategy for Dis- of the goals of the Strategy, including by seconding aster Reduction, as endorsed by the TaskForce, consti- technical staff to the Strategy secretariat; tutes the basic guide for the implementation of the 14 . Also requests the Secretary-General to submit a Strategy, and that the framework shall be periodically report on disaster reduction to the preparatory process

YUN01—REPROS—cxs JUNE 17 2003 Humanitarian and special economic assistance 863 for the World Summit on Sustainable Development to and as expressed in the Yokohama Strategy for a Safer be held at Johannesburg, South Africa, in 2002; World: Guidelines for Natural Disaster Prevention, 15. Takes note of the proposal of the Secretary- Preparedness and Mitigation and its Plan of Action, as General to review the implementation of the Yoko- well as the Geneva mandate on disaster reduction and hama Strategy for a Safer World: Guidelines for Natu- the strategy document entitled “A safer world in the ral Disaster Prevention, Preparedness and Mitigation twenty-first century: risk and disaster reduction”, and its Plan of Action, within the context of the frame- Emphasizing the multisectoral, interdisciplinary and work for action for the implementation of the Strategy; cross-cutting nature of natural disaster reduction, and 16. Reiterates the need to continue international stressing that continued interaction, cooperation and cooperation to reduce the impact of the El Niño phe- partnerships among the institutions concerned are nomenon, within the framework for the Strategy, as re- considered essential to achieve jointly agreed objectives quested by the Council in its resolutions 1999/46 of 28 and priorities, July 1999 and 2000/33 of 28 July 2000 and by the Gen- Having considered the current institutional arrange- eral Assembly in its resolutions 52/200 of 18 December ments, as established in its resolution 54/219, with the 1997, 53/185, 54/220 of 22 December 1999 and 55/197 Inter-Agency Task Force for Disaster Reduction and of 20 December 2000; the inter-agency secretariat for the International Strat- 17. Recognizes the importance of early warning as egy for Disaster Reduction, and taking into account the an essential element in the culture of prevention, and assessment after the first period of operations, encourages renewed efforts at all levels to contribute to Recognizing that disaster reduction is an important natural hazard monitoring and impact prediction, the element that contributes to the achievement of sustain- development and transfer of technology, capacity- able development and that it should be taken into building for disaster preparedness, the detection of account in the preparatory process for the World Sum- natural hazards and the issuance and communication mit on Sustainable Development, to be held at Johan- of early warning, as well as education and professional nesburg, South Africa, from 26 August to 4 September training, public information and awareness-raising 2002, activities, and stresses the need for appropriate action Reiterating that natural disasters damage the social in response to early warning; and economic infrastructure of all countries, although 18. Reaffirms the need to strengthen the interna- the long-term consequences of natural disasters are es- tional framework for the improvement of early warning pecially severe for developing countries and hamper systems and disaster preparedness by developing an their sustainable development, effective international mechanism for early warning, Welcoming the emphasis placed on natural disaster including the transfer of technology related to early reduction in the Programme of Action for the Least De- warning to developing countries, which ensures that veloped Countries for the Decade 2001-2010, adopted vulnerable people receive appropriate and timely in- by the Third United Nations Conference on the Least formation, and by expanding and improving existing Developed Countries, held at Brussels from 14 to 20 systems, in particular those under the auspices of the May 2001, United Nations, as an integral part of the Strategy; Recognizing that disaster reduction should be re- 19 . Decides to maintain the annual observance of the garded as an important function of the United Nations International Day for Natural Disaster Reduction on and should receive continued attention, the second Wednesday of October, as a vehicle to pro- mote a global culture of natural disaster reduction, in- Stressing the need for the international community to cluding prevention, mitigation and preparedness; demonstrate the firm political determination required 20. Invites the General Assembly to give full consid- to utilize scientific and technical knowledge to reduce eration to the report of the Secretary-General at its vulnerability to natural disasters and environmental fifty-sixth session, under the item entitled “Environ- hazards, taking into account the particular needs of de- ment and sustainable development”. veloping countries, 1. Takes note of the report of the Secretary-General on the implementation of the International Strategy GENERAL ASSEMBLY ACTION for Disaster Reduction; On 21 December [meeting 90], the General As- 2. Expresses its deep concern at the increasing number sembly, on the recommendation of the Second and scale of natural disasters, which have resulted in (Economic and Financial) Committee [A/56/561/ massive loss of life and long-term negative social, eco- Add.2], adopted resolution 56/195 without vote nomic and environmental consequences for vulnerable [agenda item 98 (b)]. societies throughout the world, in particular in devel- oping countries; International Strategy for Disaster Reduction 3. Reaffirms that the Inter-Agency Task Force for The General Assembly, Disaster Reduction should perform the functions as in- Recalling its resolutions 44/236 of 22 December dicated in the report of the Secretary-General, in par- 1989, 49/22 A of 2 December 1994, 49/22 B of 20 De- ticular those of serving as a main forum within the cember 1994, 53/185 of 15 December 1998 and 54/219 United Nations system for devising strategies and poli- of 22 December 1999and Economic and Social Council cies for disaster reduction and ensuring complemen- resolution 1999/63 of 30 July 1999, and taking note of tarity of action by agencies involved in disaster reduc- Council resolution 2001/35 of 26 July 2001, tion, mitigation and preparedness, decides to review Recalling also the forward-looking platform for inter- the activities of the TaskForce in 2003, and decides also national concerted disaster reduction, as developed by that the inter-agency secretariat for the International the World Conference on Natural Disaster Reduction Strategy for Disaster Reduction should develop col-

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laborative links with appropriate regional disaster mentation of the Strategy, in line with their respective reduction organizations; skills and capacities, from prevention to early warning, 4. Decides that the Task Force should be modified response, mitigation, rehabilitation and reconstruc- in order to provide for the increased participation and tion, including through capacity-building at all levels, continued membership of regional intergovernmental and the development and strengthening of global and organizations and key United Nations agencies; regional approaches that take into account regional, 5. Recognizes that the framework for action for the subregional, national and local circumstances and implementation of the Strategy, as endorsed by the needs, as well as the need to strengthen the co- Task Force, constitutes the basic guide for the imple- ordination of national emergency response agencies in mentation of the Strategy,and that the framework shall natural disasters; be periodically reviewed, according to the evolving 13. Recognizes the urgent need to develop further needs in the field of natural disaster reduction, and and make use of the existing scientific and technical urges all relevant bodies within the United Nations knowledge to reduce vulnerability to natural disasters, system to cooperate fully within the context of the and emphasizes the need for developing countries to framework; have access to technology so as to tackle natural disas- 6. Stresses that the inter-agency secretariat for the ters effectively; Strategy should be consolidated and enhanced to per- 14 . Calls upon Governments and United Nations form its functions effectively, in particular to serve as agencies to collaborate more closely in the sharing of the focal point in the United Nations system for the disaster response and mitigation information, to take coordination of disaster reduction and to ensure syner- full advantage of United Nations emergency informa- gies among the disaster-reduction activities of the tion services such as ReliefWeb, as well as the Internet, United Nations system and regional organizations and to consider other methods for the sharing of infor- and activities in socio-economic and humanitarian mation; fields; 15. Calls upon the inter-agency secretariat for the 7. Calls upon Governments to continue to cooperate Strategy and the Office for the Coordination of Hu- and coordinate their efforts with the United Nations manitarian Affairs of the Secretariat to facilitate the de- system, other international organizations, regional or- velopment of better linkages with all relevant actors, in- ganizations, non-governmental organizations and cluding the private sector and financial institutions, in other partners, as appropriate, in order to ensure effec- the development of disaster management strategies; tive synergies in the field of natural disasters, and 16. Encourages the international community to pro- urges the inter-agency secretariat for the Strategy to vide the necessary financial resources to the Trust develop such synergies, as appropriate; Fund for the International Strategy for Disaster Reduc- 8. Invites, therefore, all Governments and relevant tion and to provide adequate scientific, technical, hu- international organizations to give appropriate consid- man and other resources to ensure adequate support eration to the issue of natural disaster reduction in for the inter-agency secretariat for the Strategy and for their preparations for the World Summit on Sustain- the Task Force and its working groups; able Development; 17. Requests the relevant organizations of the United 9. Underlines the importance of adequate financial Nations system to support the implementation of the and administrative resources for the effective function- goals of the Strategy, including by seconding technical ing of the Task Force and the inter-agency secretariat staff to the inter-agency secretariat for the Strategy; for the Strategy, under the direct authority of the 18. Endorses the proposal of the Secretary-General Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs; to review the implementation of the Yokohama Strat- 10. Calls upon Governments to establish national egy for a Safer World: Guidelines for Natural Disaster platforms or focal points for disaster reduction, urges Prevention, Preparedness and Mitigation and its Plan the United Nations system to provide appropriate sup- of Action, within the context of the framework for port for those mechanisms, and invites the Secretary- action for the implementation of the Strategy; General to strengthen the regional outreach of the 19 . Requests the Secretary-General to optimize fur- inter-agency secretariat for the Strategy in order to ther and disseminate through all available channels, in- ensure such support; cluding handbooks and information systems, the in- 11. Invites Governments and relevant organizations formation necessary for the effective management of of the United Nations system to strengthen national international cooperation in the fields of disaster pre- participation, in particular of disaster-prone countries, vention, early warning, response, mitigation, rehabili- in the implementation of the Strategy, including tation and reconstruction; through national multisectoral and interdisciplinary 20. Reiterates the need to continue international platforms, in order to achieve sustainable development cooperation to reduce the impact of the El Niño phe- goals and objectives, with the full utilization of scien- nomenon, within the framework for action for the im- tific and technical knowledge, including through plementation of the Strategy, as requested by the Eco- capacity-building at all levels and the development and nomic and Social Council in its resolutions 1999/46 of strengthening of global and regional approaches that 28 July 1999and 2000/33 of 28 July 2000 and by the As- take into account regional, subregional, national and sembly in its resolutions 52/200 of 18 December 1997, local circumstances and needs, as well as the need to 53/185 of 15 December 1998, 54/220 of 22 December strengthen the coordination of national emergency 1999 and 55/197 of 20 December 2000; response agencies; 21. Recognizes the importance of early warning as 12. Calls upon Governments to continue to cooper- an essential element in the culture of prevention, and ate and coordinate their efforts in the field of natural encourages renewed efforts at all levels to contribute to disasters within the framework for action for the imple- natural hazard monitoring and impact prediction, the

YUN01—REPROS—cxs JUNE 17 2003 Humanitarian and special economic assistance 865 development and transfer of technology, capacity- events be made available to interested parties. building for disaster preparedness, the detection of The Working Group should continue to support natural hazards and the issuance and communication studies to establish shortfalls in the coverage of of early warning, as well as education and professional training, public information and awareness-raising climate monitoring, and explore further applica- activities, and stresses the need for appropriate action tions of climate monitoring information and in response to early warning; forecasts. 22. Reaffirms the need to strengthen the interna- Communication. On 2 October [A/C.2/56/2], tional framework for the improvement of early warning Ecuador transmitted to the Secretary-General systems and disaster preparedness by developing an the text of a memorandum of cooperation it had effective international mechanism for early warning, signed with WMO to strengthen cooperation and including the transfer of technology related to early to initiate activities relating to the establishment warning to developing countries, which ensures that vulnerable people receive appropriate and timely in- of the International Research Centre for the El formation, and by expanding and improving existing Niño/Southern Oscillation Phenomenon. The systems, in particular those under the auspices of the Government of Ecuador would deposit $385,000 United Nations, as an integral part of the Strategy; in a WMO trust fund account as a contribution to 23. Decides to maintain the annual observance of the activities leading to the establishment of the the International Day for Natural Disaster Reduction centre. on the second Wednesday of October, as a vehicle to promote a global culture of natural disaster reduction, GENERAL ASSEMBLY ACTION including prevention, mitigation and preparedness; On 21 December [meeting 90], the General As- 24. Requests the Secretary-General to submit to the General Assembly at its fifty-seventh session a report sembly, on the recommendation of the Second on the implementation of the present resolution, in- Committee [A/56/561/Add.2], adopted resolution cluding criteria and modalities for the selection of the 56/194 without vote [agenda item 98 (b)]. non-permanent members of the TaskForce, and on the progress made in the implementation of the Interna- International cooperation to reduce the tional Strategy for Disaster Reduction, under the item impact of the El Niño phenomenon entitled “Environment and sustainable development”. The General Assembly, Recalling its resolutions 52/200 of 18December 1997, 53/185 of 15 December 1998, 54/220 of 22 December El Niño 1999 and 55/197 of 20 December 2000 and Economic In response to General Assembly resolution and Social Council resolutions 1999/46 of 28 July 1999 55/197 [YUN 2000, p. 884], the Secretary-General, in and 1999/63 of 30 July 1999, and taking note of Coun- cil resolution 2000/33 of 28 July 2000, a May report [A/56/76-E/2001/54], reviewed on- Noting that the signing of the memorandum of going activities designed to reduce the impact of cooperation between Ecuador and the World Meteoro- the El Niño phenomenon, a disruption of the logical Organization constitutes a major step in the ocean-atmosphere system in the tropical Pacific process for the establishment of an international centre that had important consequences for weather for the study of the El Niño phenomenon, and climate worldwide. Noting also the contributions made by regional and The Working Group on Climate and Disasters global climate-study organizations and specialized of the Inter-Agency Task Force for Disaster Re- Internet information services, which have led to im- proved scientific understanding and prediction capa- duction (Geneva, 10-11April), set up in 2000 [YUN bilities in the area of climate variability, 2000, p. 882] and led by WMO, established two prior- Reaffirming the importance of developing strategies ity areas: a review of sectoral monitoring and at the national, subregional, regional and international warning systems and the continuation of the levels that aim to prevent, mitigate and repair the dam- mandate of the Inter-Agency Task Force on El age caused by natural disasters that result from the El Niño. Pursuant to Assembly resolution 52/200 Niño phenomenon, [YUN 1997, p. 927], a number of activities were car- 1. Takes note with appreciation of the report of the ried out at the global, regional and national lev- Secretary-General; 2. Commends the measures adopted by the host els, aimed at reducing the impact of future El country for the establishment of an international cen- Niño phenomena and similar climatic variables. tre for the study of the El Niño phenomenon, and en- The Secretary-General recommended that the courages the Government of Ecuador to continue its Working Group continue to gather information efforts aimed at the completion of that process; on how climate information was generated and 3. Encourages the centre, once established, to distributed and consider how to improve distri- strengthen its links with other relevant regional and bution and transfer of the information. It should global climate-study organizations, as well as with Internet information services, in order to ensure an also continue advocacy and education activities effective and efficient use of the available resources; and ensure that the experience gained from the 4. Calls upon the Secretary-General and the relevant 1998 intergovernmental meeting of experts in United Nations organs, funds and programmes, in Guayaquil, Ecuador [YUN 1998, p. 873], and other particular those taking part in the implementation of

YUN01—REPROS—cxs JUNE 17 2003 866 Economic and social questions the International Strategy for Disaster Reduction, and areas of Tanzania following four years of inade- encourages the international community, to adopt, as quate harvests. Insufficient rainfall in drought- appropriate, the necessary measures to support the es- affected areas of Djibouti and Eritrea in 2000 jus- tablishment of the above-mentioned research centre at Guayaquil, Ecuador, and invites the international com- tified continued humanitarian assistance in 2001. munity to provide scientific, technical and financial Although the rains were satisfactory in Somalia, assistance and cooperation for that purpose, as well as it was important that recovery efforts be sus- to strengthen, as appropriate, other centres devoted to tained to enable those affected to rebuild their the study of the El Niño phenomenon; livelihood. 5. Welcomes the establishment of the working group OCHA issued a UN emergency consolidated on climate and disasters, and invites the Inter-Agency TaskForce for Disaster Reduction and the inter-agency appeal for the region totalling $353 million for secretariat for the International Strategy for Disaster January to December 2001 to cover the basic Reduction to ensure functional synergies among the needs of 12.8 million drought-affected people. working groups dealing with climate variability, social and economic vulnerability, and the effectiveness of Djibouti early warning systems; 6. Requests the Secretary-General to continue the A UN inter-agency donor alert for the drought full implementation of its resolutions 52/200, 53/185, in Djibouti, prepared by the UN country team to 54/220 and 55/197 and Economic and Social Council complement the emergency appeal for the Horn resolutions 1999/46, 1999/63 and 2000/33; of Africa (above), sought $11.2 million. 7. Also requests the Secretary-General to report to the General Assembly at its fifty-seventh session on the im- Kenya plementation of the present resolution, under the item entitled “Environment and sustainable development”. In 2001, over 4 million people were suffering from the effects of the drought in Kenya. A ma- jority of the population in pastoral, agro-pastoral Disaster assistance and marginal agricultural areas had been re- duced to near destitution and dependence on Africa food aid. A UN inter-agency donor alert for the drought Central African Republic in Kenya, issued in February and seeking $123 A UN inter-agency flash appeal for the Central million for January to December 2001, was re- African Republic, launched in June, sought $4.9 vised in July to $184 million. million to cover the period 1 July to 30 September for emergency needs resulting from the torren- Mozambique tial rainfall of 26 February to 1 March. The popu- Mozambique entered 2001 under the threat of lation of Bangui and surrounding areas had been floods in Zambezia province due to heavy rain in hard-hit by the floods and were facing additional Zambia, which forced the authorities to release hardship caused by continuing armed conflict water from the Kariba dam. The Zambezi River between loyalist forces and those supporting a burst its banks on 3 January, flooding farmland coup attempt. The target population was set at in the north-western province of Tete. Later in 80,000 people. January, a tropical storm brought heavy rain to Quelimane, the capital of Zambezia, and other Horn of Africa areas of the province. Further heavy rain in The situation in the drought-affected areas in neighbouring countries and high discharges the Horn of Africa (Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, from dams led to 52 deaths, 81,394 persons dis- Kenya, Somalia and northern parts of the United placed and 406,565 people affected around the Republic of Tanzania) remained critical in 2001 Zambezi River valley by the end of February. following three consecutive years of poor rains In March, a UN inter-agency appeal for flood and the total failure of rains in April 2000. In relief in Mozambique was launched for $10.7 mil- Ethiopia, while recent rains in the Somali region lion to cover the period March to May 2001. had been encouraging, the import ban on live- stock from the Horn imposed by Gulf countries represented a potentially serious setback for the Asia prospect of a quick economic recovery in the mainly pastoral lowlands. In many areas of Democratic People’s Republic of Korea Kenya, significant rains were still required, as the The UN Consolidated Inter-Agency Appeal short season rains were largely below normal and for the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea poorly distributed in time and space. Important (DPRK), launched in November 2000, which food aid relief operations were needed in some sought $384 million for January to December

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2001, received 67.4 per cent ($248.4 million) of Recalling its resolutions 42/169 of 11December 1987, requirements. 43/202 of 20 December 1988, 44/236 of 22 December 1989, 45/185 of 21 December 1990, 46/149 of 18 De- Improvements in the political climate between cember 1991, 46/182 of 19December 1991, 48/188of 21 the DPRK and the Republic of Korea did not have December 1993, 49/22 A of 2 December 1994 and a significant impact on the humanitarian situa- 55/165 of 14 December 2000, tion in the DPRK in 2001, which was still critical Having been made aware of the extensive damage following a period of economic decline and a se- caused by powerful hurricane Iris during its landfall ries of natural disasters and erratic weather pat- and passage through Belize on 8 October 2001, terns. Large sectors of the population of 23 mil- Mindful of the human suffering caused by the dis- lion people were vulnerable due to inadequate placement of thousands of people and the disrupted delivery of health and social services, food availability, which was compounded by the Aware of the devastation to the infrastructure of poor quality of and limited access to basic health, southern Belize and to the agricultural, fisheries and water, sanitation and education services. A fur- tourism sectors of Belize, ther appeal was launched to cover 2002. Conscious of the negative ecological impact of the hurricane on the coastal region and the inland rain- Mongolia forest, Noting the enormous efforts required to alleviate Two consecutive dzuds—a Mongolia-specific the devastation caused by this natural disaster, winter disaster caused by extreme cold and heavy Cognizant of the efforts of the Government and peo- snowfall—in 1999/2000 and 2000/01 under- ple of Belize to relieve the suffering of the victims of mined the welfare and food security of the Mon- hurricane Iris, golian herding community through large-scale Conscious of the rapid response being made by the death and debilitation of livestock. The indirect Government of Belize, the agencies and bodies of the causes of the disaster were mainly over- United Nations system, international and regional agencies, non-governmental organizations and private concentration of stock and overgrazing of pas- individuals to provide relief, tures in some areas and inadequate winter hay Recalling the International Strategy for Disaster Re- preparation. The continuing dzuds seriously duction, and in this regard underlining the importance increased the level of malnutrition and rates of efforts aimed at strengthening early warning, pre- of morbidity and mortality among more vulner- vention and preparedness mechanisms for natural dis- able groups, the health and education systems asters and measures to strengthen capacity-building at had come under strain and the massive mortality the local, national and regional levels, with an empha- of livestock had caused huge socio-economic and sis on risk reduction, financial damage, not only to herders but to the Aware that the extent of the disaster and its medium- term and long-term effects will require, as a comple- whole country. ment to the efforts being made by the Government and A UN appeal sought contributions worth $7.1 people of Belize, a demonstration of international soli- million in cash and $4.7 million in kind to assist darity and humanitarian concern to ensure broad mul- beneficiaries in 73 counties. tilateral cooperation in order to facilitate the transition from the immediate emergency situation in the affected areas to the process of reconstruction, Latin America and the Caribbean 1. Expresses its solidarity and support to the Govern- ment and people of Belize; Belize 2. Expresses its appreciation to all States of the inter- On 8 October, category-four strength hurri- national community, international agencies and inter- governmental and non-governmental organizations cane Iris swept through Belize, with highly de- thatareprovidingemergencyreliefassistancetoBelize; structive 233 kilometre (km) per hour winds. The 3. Urges Member States, as a matter of urgency, to hurricane took its highest toll on the poorest part contribute generously to the relief, rehabilitation and of the country where, in a matter of days, it de- reconstruction efforts of Belize; prived many of the vulnerable Mayan and Ga- 4. Requests the Secretary-General, in collaboration rinagu families living in the districts of Toledo with the international financial institutions, agencies and StannCreekoftheirtraditionalmeans oflive- and bodies of the United Nations system, to assist the lihood, their homes, schools and health centres. Government of Belize in identifying medium-term A UN international appeal launched on 17Octo- and long-term needs and in mobilizing resources, as ber sought $1.4 million for assistance projects. well as to help with the efforts towards rehabilitation and reconstruction of the affected areas in Belize; GENERAL ASSEMBLY ACTION 5. Encourages the Government of Belize, in conjunc- On 27 November [meeting 65], the General As- tion with relevant partners, further to develop strate- sembly adopted resolution 56/11 [draft: A/56/L.16 gies aimed at preventing and mitigating natural disas- & Add.1] without vote [agenda item 20 (b)]. ters, in accordance with the International Strategy for Disaster Reduction; Emergency assistance to Belize 6. Requests the Secretary-General to make all neces- The General Assembly, sary arrangements to continue mobilizing and coordi-

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nating humanitarian assistance from the specialized 4. Requests the Secretary-General to make every agencies and other organizations and bodies of the effort to continue mobilizing and coordinating the hu- United Nations system with a view to supporting the manitarian assistance being provided by the special- efforts of the Government of Belize. ized agencies and other organizations and organs of the United Nations system in support of the efforts of Bolivia the Government of Bolivia. Heavy rains during the first half of 2001 caused floods and landslides in the western and El Salvador northern regions of Bolivia, affecting some An earthquake measuring 7.6 on the Richter 357,250 people and causing serious damage to scale shook El Salvador on 13 January, affecting roads, crops and houses. The floods also de- some 1.1 million people, of whom 43 per cent stroyed important agricultural productive infra- were under 18 years of age. By 24 January, the structure, such as productive land, small irriga- death toll had reached 726 and 360 people were tion systems and roads, and caused crop damage still missing. Over 114,000 homes were damaged estimated at $121 million. and close to 75,000 were totally destroyed. The agricultural and fishing sectors were greatly af- GENERAL ASSEMBLY ACTION fected, especially the infrastructure that sup- On 14February [meeting 91], the General Assem- ported production and processing. The affected bly adopted resolution 55/241 [draft: A/55/L.74 & population in rural areas needed assistance to re- Add.1] without vote [agenda item 20 (b)]. habilitate 30,772 farm dwellings. Assistance to Bolivia as a result of the flooding An appeal for humanitarian assistance and experienced in recent months initial rehabilitation activities, launched in Feb- The General Assembly, ruary, requested $35 million to benefit some Distressed by the floods, torrents, cave-ins, landslides 200,000 people. and inundation caused mainly by the torrential rains that have fallen in recent months, resulting in severe GENERAL ASSEMBLY ACTION economic damage and loss of human lives in the terri- On 26 January [meeting 90], the General Assem- tory of Bolivia, [draft: A/55/L.72 & Recognizing the large-scale relief and humanitarian bly adopted resolution 55/240 assistance efforts being made by the Government and Add.1] without vote [agenda item 20 (b)]. people of Bolivia to alleviate the suffering of the disas- Assistance to El Salvador as a result of the ter victims and meet their immediate needs, earthquake of 13 January 2001 Noting the enormous efforts that have been made The General Assembly, by the people and Government of Bolivia to build peace and democracy and achieve a favourable environ- Deeply distressed by the lamentable loss of hundreds ment for promoting economic growth and furthering of human lives and the thousands of victims wounded human development, and left homeless, together with the serious damage to Aware of the grave consequences of natural disasters, infrastructure in El Salvador, as a result of the earth- which may present a serious obstacle to economic and quake of 13 January 2001, social development in the developing countries, and Recognizing the large-scale relief and humanitarian which require considerable amounts of human and assistance efforts being made by the Government and financial resources to overcome their negative effects, people of El Salvador to alleviate the suffering of the and considering it essential that the international com- disaster victims and meet their immediate needs, munity offer all its technical and financial support and Recognizing also the demonstrations of support and assistance in order to supplement national efforts to solidarity offered by the international community to undertake, as soon as possible, the process of rehabili- the people and Government of El Salvador in this tation, reconstruction and development in the areas emergency situation, afflicted by these natural disasters, Noting the enormous efforts that have been made by 1. Expresses its solidarity and support to the Govern- the people and Government of El Salvador to build ment and people of Bolivia in these difficult times; peace and democracy and achieve a favourable environ- 2. Welcomes the valuable support of the interna- ment for promoting economic growth and furthering tional community in the work of rescuing and provid- human development, ing emergency relief to the stricken population; Aware of the grave consequences of natural disasters, 3. Urges all Member States, specialized agencies which may present a serious obstacle to economic and and other organizations and organs of the United social development in the developing countries, and Nations system, together with international financial which require considerable amounts of human and institutions and non-governmental organizations, to financial resources to overcome their negative effects, continue responding generously to Bolivia in its emer- and considering it essential that the international com- gency, rehabilitation and reconstruction tasks and pro- munity offer all its technical and financial support and grammes, in order to maintain the present political sta- assistance in order to supplement national efforts to bility and prevent the effects of this natural disaster undertake, as soon as possible, the process of rehabili- from becoming an impediment to the economic and so- tation, reconstruction and development in the areas cial development of Bolivia; afflicted by these natural disasters,

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1. Expresses its solidarity and support to the Govern- bilitation, economic rehabilitation and employ- ment and people of El Salvador in these difficult times; ment, and environmental protection. Public 2. Welcomes the valuable support of the interna- awareness of the consequences of the disaster was tional community in the work of rescuing and provid- ing emergency relief to the stricken population; a central focus of UN activities throughout the re- 3. Urges all Member States, specialized agencies and porting period, culminating in a series of events other organizations and organs of the United Nations to commemorate the fifteenth anniversary of the system, together with international financial institu- disaster. UN efforts to assist the victims contin- tions and non-governmental organizations, to continue ued to be plagued by a persistent lack of re- responding generously to El Salvador in its emergency, sources. In an attempt to enhance international rehabilitation and reconstruction tasks and pro- funding, the UN Coordinator of International grammes, in order to maintain the present political sta- Cooperation on Chernobyl in March 2001 ap- bility and prevent the effects of this natural disaster from becoming an impediment to the economic and so- pealed to the Member States contributors to the cial development of El Salvador; Chernobyl Shelter Fund to support assistance 4. Requests the Secretary-General to make every programmes. A set of new projects aimed at pro- effort to continue mobilizing and coordinating the hu- viding developmental assistance (see below) manitarian assistance being provided by the special- would be presented to the donor community. ized agencies and other organizations and organs of An inter-agency mission to study the human the United Nations system in support of the efforts of consequences of Chernobyl was carried out in the Government of El Salvador. July and August. The mission was deployed jointly by UNDP and UNICEF, with support from Peru WHO, OCHA and others. On the basis of the best On 23 June, an earthquake measuring 6.9 on available data, the mission concluded that there the Richter scale hit southern Peru. The epicen- was clear evidence of direct health effects due to tre of the quake was offshore, causing a tsunami radiation exposure, including 2,000 cases to date to hit 100 km of coastline between Ocoña and of thyroid cancer. There was little consensus on Quilca, flooding low-lying areas as far as 1 km in- what the full effects would be, and many cancers land. On 5 July, after more than 100 aftershocks, were not expected to occur for several decades. a second earthquake measuring 6 on the Richter The conditions of life of a significant portion of scale hit the same area, and several aftershocks the rural population continued to decline due to later, on 7 July, there was a third earthquake, a complex interaction between environmental, measuring 6.5 on the Richter scale, with an epi- health, psychosocial and economic disadvan- centre 100 km to the south-west of Ocoña. As tages. The accident imposed a heavy burden on at 16 July, an estimated 222,423 people were national budgets through the cost of clean-up, affected by the disaster, with 78 dead, 2,723 in- compensation and recovery. During the report- jured and 64 missing. A total of 24,973 homes ing period, it became evident that the needs re- had been destroyed and 36,374 damaged. The lated to Chernobyl had gradually passed the disaster affected the health and education infra- emergency response stage and were of a develop- structure, communications and the agriculture mental nature. The mission proposed a strategy and fishery sectors. for a new phase of activities, aimed to help re- A UN inter-agency appeal for the victims of store life to normal for the majority of the inhabi- the earthquake, issued in July, sought $4.4 mil- tants over a 10-year period. An overarching devel- lion for immediate support and rehabilitation for opment strategy, as well as projects focused on six to eight months. affected communities, would emphasize sustain- able household incomes, community-based pri- Chernobyl aftermath mary health care and environmental education. In response to General Assembly resolution The goal was, as far as possible, to give people 54/97 [YUN 1999, p. 870], the Secretary-General, in control over their lives and communities control an October report [A/56/447], described the activi- over their own futures. ties undertaken by UN funds, programmes and specialized agencies during the preceding two GENERAL ASSEMBLY ACTION years to optimize the international humanitarian On 14 December [meeting 87], the General As- response to the evolving consequences of the sembly adopted resolution 56/109 [draft: A/56/ 1986Chernobyl disaster [YUN 1986, p. 584]. The re- L.57 & Add.1] without vote [agenda item 20 (c)]. port also analysed the continuing consequences Strengthening of international cooperation of the nuclear accident 15 years after it had oc- and coordination of efforts to study, curred. mitigate and minimize the consequences International assistance efforts were ongoing of the Chernobyl disaster in the areas of health, socio-psychological reha- The General Assembly,

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Reaffirming its resolutions 45/190 of 21 December October 2001, and emphasizing the need to consider in- 1990, 46/150 of 18 December 1991, 47/165 of 18 De- corporation of their findings and outcomes into the cember 1992, 48/206 of 21 December 1993, 50/134 of new United Nations strategy to mitigate the conse- 20 December 1995, 52/172 of 16 December 1997 and quences of the Chernobyl disaster, 54/97 of 8 December 1999,as well as resolution 55/171 Taking note of the report of the Secretary-General of 14 December 2000 on closure of the Chernobyl nu- concerning the implementation of resolution 54/97, clear power plant, and taking note of the decisions 1. Reaffirms that the United Nations plays an impor- adopted by the organs, organizations and programmes tant catalytic and coordinating role in the strengthen- of the United Nations system in the implementation of ing of international cooperation to study, mitigate and those resolutions, minimize the consequences of the Chernobyl disaster, Recalling Economic and Social Council resolutions and commends the contribution made by all other rele- 1990/50 of 13 July 1990, 1991/51 of 26 July 1991 and vant multilateral mechanisms to this end; 1992/38 of 30 July 1992 and Council decision 1993/232 2. Welcomes the practical measures that have been of 22 July 1993, taken by the Secretary-General and the United Conscious of the long-term nature of the conse- Nations Coordinator of International Cooperation on quences of the disaster at the Chernobyl nuclear power Chernobyl to strengthen coordination of the interna- plant, which was a major technological catastrophe in tional efforts in that area, especially the appointment terms of its scope and complexity and created humani- by the Secretary-General of the Assistant Administra- tarian, environmental, social, economic and health tor of the United Nations Development Programme consequences and problems of common concern, re- and Regional Director for Europe and the Common- quiring for their solution wide and active international wealth of Independent States as Deputy United cooperation and coordination of efforts in this field at Nations Coordinator of International Cooperation on the international and national levels, Chernobyl; Expressing profound concern at the ongoing effects 3. Also welcomes the efforts undertaken by the agen- of the consequences of the accident on the lives and cies of the United Nations system, members of the health of people, in particular children, in the affected Inter-Agency Task Force on Chernobyl to implement areas of Belarus, the Russian Federation and Ukraine, a new developmental approach to studying, mitigat- as well as in other affected countries, ing and minimizing the consequences of the Cherno- Acknowledging the importance of the national efforts byl disaster, and requests the Inter-Agency Task Force being undertaken by the Governments of Belarus, the on Chernobyl to continue further its activities to that Russian Federation and Ukraine to mitigate and mini- end; mize the consequences of the Chernobyl disaster, 4. Emphasizes the importance of full cooperation Emphasizing that it is important for the authorities and assistance by the authorities of the affected coun- of the affected countries to cooperate fully in and tries in facilitating the work of humanitarian organiza- facilitate efforts to mitigate the consequences of the tions, including non-governmental organizations, to Chernobyl catastrophe, including the efforts by non- mitigate the humanitarian consequences of the Cher- governmental organizations in providing humanita- nobyl catastrophe, notes the measures already taken by rian assistance, and appreciating the progress already the Governments of the affected countries in this re- made in this regard, gard, and encourages them to take further measures to Noting with appreciation the contribution made by simplify their relevant internal procedures and to iden- States and by organizations of the United Nations tify ways in which their systems of granting exemption system to the development of cooperation to mitigate from customs and other duties can be made more effec- and minimize the consequences of the Chernobyl dis- tive with regard to goods provided free of charge as hu- aster, the activities of regional and other organizations manitarian assistance by humanitarian organizations, and those of non-governmental organizations, as well including non-governmental organizations; as bilateral activities, 5. Acknowledges the difficulties faced by the most Recognizing the importance of continuing interna- affected countries in minimizing the consequences of tional support to the national efforts of the Govern- the Chernobyl disaster, and invites States, in particular ments and civil societies of Belarus, the Russian Fed- donor States and all relevant agencies, funds and pro- eration and Ukraine, as the most affected countries, to grammes of the United Nations system, in particular mitigate and minimize the persisting negative effects of the Bretton Woods institutions, as well as non- the Chernobyl disaster on the sustainable development governmental organizations, to continue to provide of the affected areas as a result of the radiological, support to the ongoing efforts of Belarus, the Russian health, socio-economic, psychological and environ- Federation and Ukraine to mitigate the consequences mental consequences of the disaster, of the Chernobyl disaster, including through the allo- Welcoming the increased role played by the United cation of additional funds to support medical, social, Nations Development Programme, the United Nations economic and ecological programmes related to the resident coordinators and the United Nations country disaster; teams in Belarus, the Russian Federation and Ukraine 6. Notes the appeal by the United Nations Coordi- in helping to address both the developmental and the nator to the donor community to consider allocating humanitarian consequences of the catastrophe, additional resources to the humanitarian aspects of the Noting the United Nations needs-assessment mission Chernobyl disaster; to the affected areas of Belarus, the Russian Federation 7. Stresses the need for coordinated international and Ukraine in July and August 2001, as well as the visit cooperation in studying the consequences of the Cher- of the Deputy United Nations Coordinator of Interna- nobyl catastrophe, and invites Member States and all tional Cooperation on Chernobyl to those countries in interested parties to take part in and to promote the

YUN01—REPROS—cxs JUNE 17 2003 Humanitarian and special economic assistance 871 activities of the International Chernobyl Centre for Nations in the field, as well as at Headquarters, as de- nuclear safety,radioactive waste and radioecology as an scribed in the report of the Secretary-General, with important mechanism of scientific research in the due regard to the existing administrative and bud- unique conditions of the Chernobyl zone and the Shel- getary procedures of the Organization; ter facility; 10. Further requests the Secretary-General to submit 8. Requests the Secretary-General to continue his to the General Assembly at its fifty-eighth session, efforts in the implementation of the relevant General under a separate sub-item, a report containing a com- Assembly resolutions and, through existing co- prehensive assessment of the implementation of all ordination mechanisms, in particular the United aspects of the present resolution and proposals for Nations Coordinator, to continue to maintain close innovative measures for optimizing the effectiveness of cooperation with the agencies of the United Nations the response of the international community to the system, as well as with regional and other relevant or- Chernobyl disaster. ganizations, while implementing specific Chernobyl- related programmes and projects; 9. Also requests the Secretary-General to consider possible ways to strengthen further the coordination, analytical and technical capacities of the United

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