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Wednesday, 16 July 2008 15:30
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Statement by Sri Lanka Delegation at the Humanitarian Affairs Segment of the Substantive Session, Economic and Social Council United Nations on “Building capabilities and capacities at all levels for timely humanitarian assistance, including disaster risk reduction” - New York, 15-17 July 2008

 
Mr. Vice President,

At the outset let me express our sincere appreciation to you and the members of the Bureau for convening this important meeting. We also thank Mr. John Holms, Under-Secretary General, for Humanitarian Affairs for his presentation on Secretary-General’s Report.

My delegation wishes to align itself with the statement made by Antigua and Barbuda on behalf of the Group of 77 and China

Mr. Vice President,
The incidents related to humanitarian emergencies and the intensity of the impacts caused by natural disasters have increased dramatically over the last few years, affecting millions of people across the globe and their livelihood. The soaring food and fuel prices have compounded the current challenges in providing timely, adequate and predictable humanitarian assistance to populations in need. These complex and unprecedented humanitarian challenges demand concerted and coordinated responses at all levels. Hence, the theme of the 2008 ECOSOC Humanitarian Affairs Segment, as well as the two thematic sessions, is pertinent and timely.

Mr. Vice President,
We reaffirm the primary responsibility of the State in taking care of its people affected by humanitarian emergencies. We emphasize the need for full respect for humanitarian principles agreed in General Assembly Resolution 46/182, in the provision of assistance in humanitarian emergencies upon request by the affected State.

As we focus on the need for improved mechanisms to build capabilities and capacities at all levels, especially in resource poor developing countries, we recognize the importance of effective and efficient management of existing resources and enhanced coordination among relevant institutions at national and local levels. However, as the challenges confronting us become more complex and transnational in nature, closer coordination and cooperation within regions and among nations become inevitable. This would avoid duplication and waste of resources and donor apathy or competition at a time resources have increasingly become scarce.

Given the unprecedented scale of the natural disasters experienced recently by countries including my own, the important role that the international assistance and cooperation can play in facilitating and strengthening the national response capacity to humanitarian emergencies has become evident.

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