Statement by Mr Marwan Jilani, Head of Delegation, Permanent Observer of the IFRC to the United Nations, at the Sixty-sixth session of the UN General Assembly, Plenary, Agenda Item 70 (a): Strengthening of the coordination of emergency humanitarian assistance of the United Nations, in New York.
Mr. President,
The 31st International Conference of the Red Cross and Red Crescent, which brings together the States Parties to the Geneva Conventions, the 187 Red Cross and Red Crescent National Societies, ICRC and IFRC, was convened in Geneva at the end of November with the overall objective of strengthening international humanitarian law (IHL) and humanitarian action. The deliberations at the International Conference focused on four main themes:
- Strengthening legal protection for victims of armed conflicts, IHL;
- Strengthening Disaster Law;
- Strengthening local humanitarian action; and
- Addressing barriers to health care.
The 31st International Conference concluded with the adoption of a number of resolutions including on the topics of health care in danger, migration, international disaster law, health care inequalities, National Society and volunteering development, a four year action plan for IHL, and strengthening legal protection for victims of armed conflicts.
I will use the opportunity of today’s debate on strengthening humanitarian coordination to briefly reflect on two issues addressed at the 31st International Conference and their outcome.
Mr. President,
Strengthening local humanitarian actions lies at the heart of the mandate of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies. The need for independent and strong operational partners at the local level is critical to reach all vulnerable people and address their needs.
The National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies as recognised by all governments as auxiliaries to their authorities in the humanitarian field, are best placed and equipped to provide that effective humanitarian assistance at the local level, particularly in politically sensitive and complex situations. They work also within the framework of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, and adhere to the Fundamental Principles of the Movement (Humanity, impartiality, neutrality, independence, voluntary service, unity, universality) which represent the best guarantee not only to gain access to the people in need, but to gain their trust and confidence.
This unique strength is being translated into concrete action by the staff and volunteers of the National Societies where very few organisations have access to people in need such as we have witnessed in recent situations in the Middle East or the Horn of Africa.
The International Conference provided the opportunity for States and National Societies to discuss and exchange views on how they can implement the resolution to effectively develop, manage and extend productive partnerships that contribute to strengthening National Societies and their volunteer base in order to deliver assistance and services according to their mission and mandate.
We recognise that our National Societies are at different stages of development, and each has particular strengths and face distinctive challenges. And there remains the need for external support to maximise their operational and institutional capacities, as auxiliaries to the public authorities.
Therefore, the Conference called for strengthened efforts on the part of governments to support the development of their National Societies and their volunteer base, while respecting and preserving their mandate and independence. This includes ensuring that there is an adequate and comprehensive Red Cross Red Crescent law in place to protect the mandate of the National Society.
Mr. President,
The second issue of relevance to our debate today is the Red Cross Red Crescent commitment to disaster preparedness, risk reduction, as well as disaster response and recovery. The IFRC continues to build on the success of its work on the “Guidelines for the domestic facilitation and regulation of international disaster relief and initial recovery assistance” known as the IDRL Guidelines. These guidelines can help both anticipate and solve common regulatory problems in international operations, helping to increase the speed of the entry of relief and to ensure oversight and control by domestic authorities.
It is very clear that because of the increasing scale and complexity of disasters, governments need a balanced and well-prepared legal system as envisaged by the IDRL Guidelines if international assistance is to be managed effectively. The report presented to the International Conference on this topic recognised some encouraging examples of implementation at the regional and national levels. In this context, the 31st International Conference addressed three aspects of disaster law:
- Legal preparedness for international disaster response – or “IDRL”
- Legislating enhanced disaster risk reduction particularly at the community level, and
- Addressing regulatory barriers related to meeting the emergency and transitional shelter needs of people affected by natural disasters.
The primary focus is on domestic law, policy and procedure – and particularly on how states, with support from the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, can proactively move to address common regulatory problems and gaps.
The resolution adopted in this context, welcomed the efforts of the IFRC, OCHA, and the Inter-Parliamentary Union to develop a “Model Act” on disaster law to assist states interested in incorporating the recommendations of the IDRL Guidelines into their legal frameworks, and invited further consultation with States and other stakeholders on the use of the model act as a reference tool.
Mr. President,
Another initiative jointly organised by the Swiss Government, OCHA, IFRC, and the International Council of Voluntary Agencies (ICVA), highlighted that one of today’s key challenges in bridging national and international assistance is insufficient mutual understanding, dialogue and knowledge sharing among affected States and the international community. This has led to gaps in trust and confidence, as well as failures to coordinate, ultimately hindering our ability to work together effectively.
Continuing to foster and grow long-term relationships, working towards a culture of respect and understanding for the positions and values of others, and critically examining one’s own systems and ways of working, are necessary lessons learned in this regard.
Finally, we will continue to work with our partners to encourage such dialogue and to implement its recommendations and lessons learned. We will continue to work towards enhanced coordination with other humanitarian actors including the UN, other international organisations and civil society, while ensuring respect for our Fundamental Principles.
Thank you.