Chair,
The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) is very happy to be taking the floor on this issue, which is of utmost importance to the future of this world. We requested the opportunity to speak on this item in order to underline the importance we attach to ensuring that human rights issues are given their proper place, in particular with regard to the work being done this coming year to assess the progress made on the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).
The IFRC is not a human rights organization, at least not in the commonly understood meaning of this term. Our mission is the protection of human dignity, and the mechanism, which we employ, is our worldwide network of 181 National Red Cross/Red Crescent Societies, including our extensive volunteer base. Our work is guided by the principles of human rights. Our work is often described as "driven by needs, informed by rights."
There is a profoundly close relationship between our work, the protection of human dignity and its relationship to the MDGs. Our work is framed by Strategy 2010, which outlines our strategic plan and goals for the next five years. It is also interconnected with the goals set out by the United Nations Millennium Summit and the corresponding MDGs.
There is not enough time to describe how all of the MDGs fit into the work that we do, nevertheless we will illustrate the relationship through goals number one and two.
Firstly, we place immense emphasis on work done towards the achievement of MDG 2, which advocates the importance of universal primary education. This goal is the foundation for the achievement of the other MDGs, and the basis of human rights. It is only with good education that it is possible for communities to build strength and resilience.
This is why the vocational institutes that many of our National Societies accommodate are so important. They provide instruction on basic reading, writing and computer skills. These institutes are basic education centres helping members of communities to attain their right to education and thus become constructive members of society.
Secondly, MDG 1 has several points of relevance. For years it has been clear that there is an unbreakable connect between poverty and the impact of disasters. Relevant statistics show that between the periods 1994 to 2003 the number of natural and technological disasters rose by 60 per cent. However, in countries that are classified by the United Nations system as having "low human development" the rise in disaster occurrence is as high as 243 per cent.
In particular, this aspect of MDG 1 fits closely with our disaster preparedness programmes at international, national, and regional levels. Examples of our disaster preparedness programmes can be found at all of our national societies, and their expert skills were recently witnessed by the superior work in preparing and responding to the disasters which struck the Caribbean and southern parts of the United States.
Chair,
Recently, the Secretary-General put out a request for views on the impact of globalisation on the enjoyment of human rights. The IFRC was pleased to note that in response to this request the Government of Italy made specific reference to the contribution it was making to humanitarian disaster relief in the context of poverty alleviation. It is our sincere hope that other governments will be in a position to make similar references in their responses to this important question.
Community resilience is the theme for the World Conference on Disaster Reduction, in January 2005 in Kobe, Japan. It is also the theme of the 2004 World Disasters Report - the flagship publication of the IFRC, and the source of the figures quoted above. The material in this report is central to the achievement of the MDGs.
Our headquarters launched the report in Geneva on 28 October 2004, and it was also presented in over 90 other cities soon after. The launch of the report in New York will take place on 10 November 2004 at 11am. It will be done together with our colleagues from OCHA. Mr. Jan Egeland, the Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, and Ms. Margareta Wahlström the Assistant-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Deputy Emergency Relief Coordinator will join us.
I would like to take the opportunity to invite all Permanent Missions and our partner agencies to join us for this occasion. We look forward to taking this thematic approach further in other forums, and also to discussing the World Disasters Report with all interested parties once it has been launched.
Chair,
I do not wish to pre-empt our upcoming launch in this statement, but would like to note that in the foreword of the World Disasters Report 2004, our Secretary-General, Mr. Markku Niskala, observes that "supporting resilience means more than delivering relief … local knowledge, skills, determination, livelihoods, cooperation, access to resources and representation are all vital factors enabling people to bounce back from disaster." It means that "we must focus on the priorities and capacities of those we seek to help."
It is important that Delegations consider issues related to community resilience, and empowerment, as a priority within the context of Human Rights Questions. Doing so will pave the way for important contributions to the fulfilment of many fundamental human rights aspirations, and to the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals.