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| Speeches and statements |
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Strengthening
the coordination of humanitarian assistance, including special economic
assistance
Statement
by Encho Gospodinov, Permanent Observer to the United Nations, at
the Second Committee of the United Nations General Assembly, in New
York
11
October 2005 |
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On behalf of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red
Crescent Societies (IFRC), allow me first to pay respect to
the victims of the South Asia Earthquake, and to offer condolences
to the people of Pakistan, India, and Afghanistan for the great
loss they have suffered over the last days.
Let me also extend my condolences to the people of Guatemala,
for the suffering and death caused in the wake of Hurricane
Stan. These are all too vivid reminders of the need to support
disaster relief, and of the importance of this Committee's work.
The IFRC appreciates the opportunity to address the committee
on areas of the 2005 Summit Outcome document, and the Secretary
General's Report on "Strengthening of the coordination of humanitarian
and disaster relief assistance" that it considers of particular
importance.
The IFRC and its worldwide membership of National Red Cross
and Red Crescent Societies are committed to contributing to
the objectives and recommendations contained within these documents.
Globally, we have been involved in the response to and recovery
from most of the natural disasters noted in the Report's highlight
of the "year in review". For many years, the IFRC has promoted
disaster management as a continuum, from risk reduction and
mitigation to response and recovery.
It is only from such an integrated approach that impacted communities
emerge stronger and better prepared to face the future.
Turning to the Secretary-General's report under discussion today,
we support recommendations to strengthen regional, national
and community risk reduction, disaster preparedness and response.
Indeed, the core activities of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies
are centred on community participation in disaster preparedness
and response. Community-based disaster management initiatives
are a pivotal, people-centred contribution to early warning
systems.
Community participation is reinforced by disaster management
training which National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies
provide via their branch offices, and in coordination with governments
and the UN. Coordination with regional organisations, governments,
the UN and non-governmental systems is an essential part of
our activities.
Just one example that has proven effective is the annual pre-hurricane
season workshop and contingency planning meeting, hosted by
the IFRC, and involving 33 Caribbean and Central American Red
Cross Societies, the United Nations, the European Union, non-governmental
agencies, donors, and regional disaster management agencies
such as the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Response Agency (CDERA)
and the Central American Center for the Prevention of Natural
Disasters (CEPREDENAC).
The special challenges and needs in Africa have long been a
priority for us. Last week, as part of a coordinated initiative
with the Niger government, WHO, UNICEF, CERMES, and the IFRC
committed to making the largest ever distribution of mosquito
nets in Africa.
With $13.3 million in funding from the Global Fund to Fight
AIDS, TB, and Malaria, the Canadian government, through the
Canadian Red Cross, and with the support of the Measles Partnership,
Polio Eradication Program, and the Roll Back Malaria Partnership,
we will participate in distributing mosquito nets to protect
every child under 5 in Niger.
The ever-challenging demands of coordinating assistance in major
natural disasters, such as the Indian Ocean Tsunami, the Bam,
Gujarat and the latest earthquakes in South Asia, are a continuing
priority for the IFRC. National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies,
as auxiliaries to their governments, can and do play an important
role in addressing these challenges.
The IFRC coordinates the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement's
regional and international response, including its technical
emergency response teams, following a natural disaster.
The IFRC coordinates its efforts with the UN and other agencies
whilst still retaining the independent nature of the Movement.
We have a close working relationship, both at headquarters and
in the field, with UN Office for Coordination of Humanitarian
Affairs and the Emergency Response Coordinator and long-standing
participation in the Inter-Agency Standing Committee and International
Strategy for Disaster Reduction.
One example of this is our participation in the Global Consortium
for Tsunami Recovery, chaired by former President Clinton, the
United Nation's Special Envoy for Tsunami Recovery. Another
example is IFRC's acceptance of the lead role for transitional
housing provision in Banda Aceh, Indonesia.
It is our belief that humanitarian assistance must take into
early consideration recovery and longer-term development needs.
Countries, whether recovering from conflict or disasters, need
to invest in institutional capacity-building to strengthen the
effectiveness of the public sector.
Here again, Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies can be invaluable
partners in supporting local authorities at the community level,
given their roles as auxiliaries to national public authorities.
Some examples of this can be found in the countries under consideration
today. The Red Crescent Society of Kazakhstan supports populations
affected by nuclear and industrial pollution in the Semipalatinsk
region through TB care and treatment, projects in social welfare,
and life-skill training for youth and volunteers.
The Somali Red Crescent, throughout many years of war, drought
and famine, has steadfastly maintained its role as a reliable
national institution, and is working closely with the UN and
other humanitarian agencies to ensure basic health care and
social support to the population.
Also in Africa, the Ethiopian Red Cross Society supports vaccination
programs as part of the Interagency Coordinating Committee,
and conducts HIV/AIDS preparedness in consultation with the
National AIDS Committee.
In Asia, one of our newest national societies, the Timor Leste
Red Cross, is addressing its country's high death rates due
to preventable diseases and has placed community health and
care as its top priority.
The institutional development of Red Cross and Red Crescent
Societies plays an important role, in the achievement of the
Millennium Development Goals, particularly in countries emerging
from conflict or natural disasters.
Allow me to conclude by urging that Governments, be it in the
areas of emergency relief, post disaster recovery or longer
term development, to mobilize the resources and skills of their
Red Cross and Red Crescent national societies and include them
in the formulation of their country's disaster management and
development plans.
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