Statements ECOSOC Building capabilities and capacities at all levels for timely humanitarian assistance, including disaster risk reduction
| Building capabilities and capacities at all levels for timely humanitarian assistance, including disaster risk reduction |
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| Wednesday, 16 July 2008 15:30 | |||||
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. Mr. Vice President, As a country that has been suffering from the scourge of terrorism for over two decades, the Government of Sri Lanka has, despite many challenges, continued to provide timely and adequate emergency humanitarian relief including food aid to its people living in areas affected by the conflict through a national coordinated programme. Provision of timely humanitarian assistance and emergency relief is essential to overcome the immediate effects of humanitarian disasters. However, we emphasize that humanitarian assistance should also pave way for rehabilitation and long term development of the affected State. The post-Tsunami recovery process launched by the Government of Sri Lanka with the assistance of the international community and the United Nations system was therefore based on a policy of gradual transfer from provision of immediate emergency relief to establishing sustainable livelihood and long and medium term development programmes for the benefit of the affected people. We therefore welcome the continued support for transfer of new technology, knowledge, and funding to further develop and strengthen our own response to humanitarian emergencies and for better disaster preparedness. Disaster preparedness and risk reduction efforts need to be augmented as an integral part of our efforts in addressing humanitarian emergencies. The priority five of the Hyogo Framework for Action stipulates the importance of strengthening the disaster preparedness capabilities and capacities at all levels. In this regard, the Government of Sri Lanka has taken firm steps to address the issue of disaster management as a national priority. In year 2005, the Parliament of Sri Lanka, approved the Disaster Management Act, providing a legislative framework. Further, a 10 year road-map (2005-2015) for disaster risk reduction was launched in 2006 and an early warning system and disaster mapping and evaluation programmes are also in place with the wider participation of stakeholders at both national and local levels. Mr. Vice President, We welcome the various initiatives within the United Nations system including the High- Level Conference held in Rome on Challenges of Climate Change, bio-energy and World Food Security. The effects of severe droughts, frequent floods and virulent epidemics have taken a heavy toll on the human lives and the economic potentials of the developing countries thus challenging their efforts in achieving internationally agreed development goals including the MDGs by 2015. We endorse the call for intensified research to fully understand the linkages between humanitarian consequences of climate change and the need for more investment in disaster risk reduction preparedness efforts. We recognize the need for early implementation of Bali Action Plan; to enhance action on adaptation. It needs to be emphasized that the developing countries should have a mechanism to engage in carbon trading and trade in the value on its forest cover. Technological and financial assistance for developing countries will help them to adopt environmental friendly approaches to development. Establishing a climate change adaptation fund will be of immense assistance to the vulnerable States. Mr. Vice President, In addressing the humanitarian implications of climate change, emphasis has often been placed on using alternative and eco friendly energy sources. However, the challenges and opportunities brought in the train of increased usage of bio fuels have also added a new dimension to the humanitarian emergencies. The increasing demand for food supply has caused price hikes and has posed serious challenges to developing countries in their efforts to reduce by half the number of people affected by poverty and hunger. Mr. Vice President, When demand on humanitarian assistance grows, increased material and human resources are needed to ensure timely and adequate response to humanitarian emergencies. Hence we look forward to working with international agencies and donor nations for this purpose. Thank you,
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