I am pleased to speak here today on the coordination of humanitarian and disaster relief assistance, an issue of great significance to the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) and to the future of millions of vulnerable people throughout the world.
Today, I will focus some of my comments on the way environmental degradation and climate change are impacting humanitarian assistance, and on the implications for Governments and humanitarian organisations alike.
We welcome the increased attention of the international community to climate change, and applaud the determination of the Secretary General and you, Mr. President, in bringing about inter-governmental dialogue within the United Nations system, on what may be one of today's greatest global challenges.
It is a challenge the IFRC will address at the 30th International Conference of the Red Cross and Red Crescent next week in Geneva.
The Secretary-General's speech at the launch of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change in Valencia on 17 November was a clear call to action and highlights the urgency for a consolidation of political will.
Much relevant background is in his Report on Humanitarian Assistance in the Field of Natural Disasters (A/62/323), which confirms that the number of hydro-meteorological hazards, such as floods, hurricanes and droughts, have increased dramatically over the last 20 years.
Statistics also point to a dramatic increase in localised small-scale disasters, affecting communities of under 25,000 people.
Preparedness and early warning measures implemented before Cyclone Sidr hit Bangladesh demonstrate what can be done. The Bangladesh Red Crescent Society worked with national authorities to ensure these preparedness efforts were effective.
Despite this there has been a terrible loss of life and of livelihood and we are now desperately working to help people recover their lives and dignity. We therefore welcome the acknowledgment of that work and the endorsement of the IFRC's emergency appeal by the Emergency Relief Coordinator, John Holmes at his press conference on 16 November.
President, The International Federation believes that an increased emphasis on vulnerability and risk reduction will reduce the impact of such disasters.
Our experience shows that a range of risk reduction measures can save thousands of lives and billions of dollars every year at a fraction of the cost of disaster response. We are working with National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies at one level and with the Inter-Agency Standing Committee (IASC) to deliver a more risk-informed humanitarian action.
President, we call on all Governments to give a new priority to risk reduction measures, and on Donor Governments to raise significantly their support for this action.
The increasing number of smaller disasters points to the need to enhance disaster preparedness and response capacity at local and national levels.
This encompasses effective national disaster management mechanisms that include a Red Cross or Red Crescent Society. Many countries have established such mechanisms, and good examples of their effectiveness are available - as demonstrated in Bangladesh over the last week.
A National Society provides a unique bridge linking government capacity and policy to the efforts of ordinary people.
A National Society works as an auxiliary to its national authorities in the humanitarian field and is present throughout the country and at the grassroots, thanks to its volunteer base in many communities.
The IFRC calls on Governments to enhance partnerships with their National Red Cross or Red Crescent Society to improve national and local disaster preparedness, risk reduction and response capacities.
Another vital component of national disaster preparedness is legal preparedness. The IFRC's International Disaster Response Laws, Rules and Principles Programme (IDRL) has been developed to help Governments improve their regulatory frameworks for those disasters that require international humanitarian assistance.
Well functioning legal and policy frameworks can minimize bureaucratic barriers and maximise the quality and coordination of international aid.
Over the last 18 months, the IFRC has conducted multi-stakeholder consultations, involving over 140 States, 140 National Societies and 40 UN agencies and NGOs, on how legal issues emerging in international response to non-conflict disasters can be adequately addressed at the national level.
The consultation process has resulted in the formulation of important recommendations for strengthening legal preparedness at the national level, including draft Guidelines for strengthening national legal preparedness.
This will also be discussed at the 30th International Conference of the Red Cross and Red Crescent.
President, Many local and national disasters do not receive sufficient attention or assistance from the international community.
IFRC has therefore significantly scaled up and improved its use of the Disaster Relief Emergency Fund (DREF). This Fund delivers start-up cash to Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies within 24 hours of a disaster, to ensure life-saving, early action.
Financial support from the DREF to the Mozambique Red Cross has enabled it to quickly respond to neglected, small-scale disasters such as drought and cholera, as well as better-known disasters, such as this year's floods.
The International Federation relies on donor support to strengthen its support of local and national response to small-scale disasters.
The Silent Emergencies Fund of the Netherlands Government and the Netherlands Red Cross is an excellent example of possible funding partnerships and good humanitarian donorship.
President, Although I have focused on climate-related disasters, we also continue to respond to industrial disasters.
The inclusion in this debate of the agenda item relevant to the Chernobyl disaster is an important reminder of this need.
Since 1990, the IFRC together with the national Red Cross Societies of Belarus, Ukraine and Russia have been implementing the Chernobyl Humanitarian Assistance and Rehabilitation Programme (CHARP) to address the basic health needs of those living in the area affected by the Chernobyl disaster.
After 17 years, CHARP has accumulated unique practical expertise in how to support affected populations and establish early detection, which can be used in preparing and responding to future industrial disasters.
Despite considerable contributions from the Irish Government and the Japanese Red Cross, our appeal for 2008-2009 remains seriously under-funded.
The IFRC calls on Governments to support the human development activities undertaken by National Societies including those to be outlined by the UN Action Plan for Chernobyl Recovery to 2016.
The IFRC also calls on Governments to sustain their political will and engagement in the Tri-Partite Ministerial Process. Mr. President, The IFRC is determined to reduce the number of deaths, injuries, illnesses and overall impact from disasters, diseases and public health emergencies.
We are committed to coordinating with the UN and all relevant stakeholders in our humanitarian action and to support local and national initiatives.
This requires better preparedness and contingency planning, more flexible funding, an increased focus on risk reduction at the community level and upward, and a readiness effectively to address the humanitarian consequences of many other disaster-relevant situations, including climate change.