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Assembly Adopts Resolution on Strengthening Emergency Relief for Nepal
Sixty-ninth Session, 90th Meeting (AM) Draft Resolution (A/69/L.66)
Expressing condolences to the Nepalese people and Government in the aftermath of recent earthquakes and calling for action to speed recovery and reconstruction efforts, the General Assembly today adopted by consensus a resolution on strengthening the coordination of humanitarian and disaster relief assistance.
Efforts must be intensified to address the needs of 8 million people affected by the earthquakes of 25 April and 12 May, which killed 8,000 and displaced more than 3 million people, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said, providing an overview of the damages and subsequent response. The disaster had caused Nepal to be torn apart, setting back years of development gains, with millions of people that had risen out of poverty facing the risk of being pulled back.
More than half of Nepal’s 75 districts had been affected, he said, noting that, within 24 hours of the first earthquake, the United Nations had sent a team to help coordinate the arrival and deployment of search-and-rescue crews from 31 countries over the following days. Overall, more than 1 million people had been reached with food, 350,000 had been provided with clean water and 150,000 families had received emergency health care.
However, the coming monsoon season posed grave threats, including the spread of cholera and other diseases. A flash appeal had called for $423 million, which was currently only 14 per cent funded, and an additional $365 million was needed, he said, adding that there was an opportunity to make a real difference in the coming weeks and months.
Indeed, Kaha Imnadze, speaking on behalf of President of the General Assembly, Sam Kutesa, said that, while long-term recovery and rehabilitation efforts would play a crucial role in rebuilding the country, immediate concerns warranted the international community’s full support. Humanitarian needs were urgent and significant, and providing access to health care, sanitation and hygiene services were critical priorities.
Introducing the draft resolution (document A/69/L.66), the representative of Spain said every vote for the text was “a message of hope to the people of Nepal”. He said the resolution, which had been sponsored by more than 110 countries, had aimed at providing much needed assistance. “You are not alone,” said the representative of the European Union, echoing widespread expressions of condolences. Speakers, including from, Colombia and the United States, recognized Nepal’s leadership and resilience in ongoing efforts and pledged assistance for recovery and reconstruction.
Outlining contributions being made towards the emergency response to the disaster, some speakers highlighted future plans for short- and long-term assistance. Delegates of countries in the region, including from China and Pakistan, pointed to their swiftly provided supplies and personnel.
Speakers whose countries had been devastated by recent disasters also lent their perspective and support. Japan’s representative said his country knew first hand, from the 2011 earthquake there, that recovery from such a disaster was difficult and required a long-term approach and that international solidarity in those efforts was critical. Supporting the message to “build back better”, adopted in the Sendai Declaration at the recent World Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction and in the resolution adopted today, he said Japan was providing assistance to Nepal and was co-organizing a pledging conference for further efforts to help the country.
Nepal’s representative thanked the Member States of the Assembly for their strong support, emphasizing that the resolution would be instrumental in assisting all efforts to guide his country out of catastrophe. For years, Nepal had been trying to prepare for such a disaster, with legislation and infrastructure built with that in mind, he said, but those efforts had not been enough and the country now faced a precarious situation.
The most pressing challenge in light of the monsoon season was to find shelter millions of displaced persons, he said, adding that linking recovery to long-term development was also needed. A full assessment of the damage was now being conducted by the Government and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and could amount to more than $1 billion, he said, encouraging all Member States to contribute to help Nepal emerge stronger.
In other business, the Assembly took note of the Secretary-General’s 13 May letter to the Assembly (document A/69/722/Add.6), by which he informed the body that Grenada has made the payment necessary to reduce its arrears below the amount specified in Article 19 of the Charter.
Also speaking today were representatives of India, Indonesia, United Kingdom, Bhutan, Sweden, Cuba, Philippines, Iran, Bangladesh and the United Arab Emirates.
