General Assembly Session 59 meeting 78

Mr. Hashi (Somalia)

At the outset, allow me to express to you, Mr. President, our deepest appreciation for reconvening the fifty-ninth session of the General Assembly to address the tsunami disaster that has devastated a number of countries in Asia and Africa. I also take this opportunity to express once again our profound condolences to the Governments and the peoples of Indonesia, Sri Lanka, the Maldives, India, Thailand, Kenya, Tanzania and the Seychelles. The devastation was of great magnitude and resulted in unprecedented loss of life and destruction. We also offer our deepest condolences to all the other countries that lost citizens in the wake of this disaster.

The response of the international community was prompt and generous. The United Nations flash appeal and pledges by Members of the United Nations, together with the involvement of United Nations agencies and non-governmental organizations, will surely mitigate the effects of the tsunami. In that regard, I wish to thank the Secretary-General for launching the United Nations flash appeal and for other initiatives that he undertook. The commitment by the international community to long-term rehabilitation and reconstruction is appropriate and most welcome. I also take this opportunity to commend the United Nations relief agencies for their tireless efforts in coordinating relief assistance in Somalia and other affected countries.

Somalia is one of the African countries seriously affected by the tsunami. On the morning of 26 December, fishing communities along Somalia's vast coastline -- the longest in Africa -- were preparing for the beginning of their day. Almost eight hours after the tsunami hit Asia, they had no idea that their lives would be changed forever. The tsunami pounded almost 700 kilometres of the Somali coastline, from the northern tip of Hafun to the southern coast of Mogadishu and beyond.

A delegation from the Government of Somalia recently visited the affected areas to assess the extent of the damage caused by the tsunami. The current death toll is estimated at 500, and over 100,000 people are estimated to have been displaced and left homeless. It is worth noting that, with proper early-warning systems in place in the Indian Ocean, eight hours would have been sufficient time to evacuate and spare the lives of countless victims. In this regard, we support the establishment of regional early-warning systems in the Indian Ocean and beyond, as envisaged in the draft resolution before the Assembly.

The effects of the tsunami will no doubt leave a lasting mark on Somalia for some time to come. The affected areas -- especially in the rural town of Hafun, where over 95 per cent of homes were destroyed -- are currently in a state of complete destruction and dissolution. Homes, roads, hospitals and schools no longer exist. Local fishing communities have been decimated to the point where almost all the boats -- 12,600 of them -- and nets are gone, and those that remain are severely damaged and pose a safety risk. The displaced are being sheltered under plastic sheeting provided by UNICEF or in huts made from branches, leaving many of those affected without proper sanitation and with very little clean water, medicine or much-needed food.

As a result of the tsunami, the geographical outline of Somalia's north-eastern coast has been altered, and residents have no choice but to rebuild their homes inland so as to avoid being flooded when sea levels rise. The makeshift camps are extremely overcrowded, and outbreaks of malaria, cholera, typhoid, respiratory infections and other diseases may therefore result. The World Food Programme (WFP), UNICEF, the World Health Organization (WHO) and other relief agencies and non-governmental organizations are doing their best under extremely difficult circumstances. But there is a greater need for a comprehensive assessment of the physical and psychological damage suffered by the victims of the tsunami in Somalia.

The relief agencies in the affected areas of Somalia are also in need of immediate assistance themselves. Facing poor road conditions, poor communication networks and the daunting challenge of feeding and sheltering thousands, these relief agencies are in dire need of more efficient means of reaching isolated areas and villages in the north-eastern coastal towns of Somalia that are still partly submerged.

It is also worth noting that, prior to the tsunami, the affected region was already suffering from a large-scale humanitarian crisis, with a four-year drought, periodic flooding and unusually cold temperatures. Furthermore, the tsunami coincided with an important milestone in the history of Somalia, namely, the recent formation of an all-inclusive Government of National Unity for Somalia. However, the already dire humanitarian situation, coupled with the tsunami, poses considerable new challenges for the incipient Government of Somalia. This underlines the urgent need to support the new Government.

I call on all nations to come to Somalia's aid to help us to strengthen our political will, capacity and humanitarian coordination in order to best alleviate the impact of this crisis. We appeal to those developed countries that are in a position to make a difference. This disaster requires a continued commitment for the long-term rehabilitation and reconstruction of the social and economic fabric that has been shredded in all the countries affected by the tsunami. We also call on those generous nations that have pledged support and assistance to expedite the much-needed resources required to sustain and rebuild the livelihoods of those in despair.

I would like to thank the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs and its leadership, as well as WFP, WHO, UNICEF, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, the United Nations Human Settlements Programme, the United Nations Development Programme, the International Committee of the Red Cross and all the other relief agencies involved, for their hard work and perseverance in our time of need.

Finally, I am sure that expressions of human solidarity at this critical time will be extended to those who need help.

Mr. Mekdad (Syria)

I should like, first of all, to thank you, Mr. President, for having convened this meeting to consider the tragic effects of the natural disaster that struck South Asia and South-East Asia. We would also like to thank the Lao People's Democratic Republic, the current Chairman of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, for having taken the initiative to call for this meeting on what is known worldwide as the tsunami disaster.

Hundred of thousands of innocent victims were struck by this natural disaster in a few minutes, perhaps seconds, in Indonesia, Maldives, Sri Lanka, Thailand, India, Malaysia, as well as in countries thousands of miles away such as Kenya and brotherly Somalia, where hundreds of people were wiped out by the tsunami. The world has witnessed many devastating natural disasters, but it could be said that this one, which has taken hold of the conscience of the entire world, has opened our eyes to the importance of acting together, immediately, to mitigate the consequences of such a catastrophe, which has killed some 172,000 people, including children, women and the elderly. It has displaced millions of citizens, separating them from their families, places of work, homes and lands. Within just a few seconds they found themselves without family -- without children, spouses mothers and fathers.

The swift reaction of the States Members of our Organization demonstrates the solidarity and attentiveness of the international community in reacting to this disaster, which has affected mankind as a whole.

As a sign of this solidarity with sisterly and friendly peoples, the President of the Syrian Arab Republic sent telegrams of condolences and sympathy on behalf of the Syrian Arab people to the leaders of peoples affected by the earthquake and the tsunami.

Syria expresses its sorrow and its solidarity with the Governments and the peoples of the affected countries. We have sent material assistance, such as medicines, water and blankets to the victims. Working with international organizations, Syria's Red Crescent Society is trying to get as much assistance to the victims as quickly as possible.

The United Nations is coordinating the emergency relief assistance to mitigate the effects of the tsunami disaster, and the Syrian Arab Republic supports that initiative. We pay special tribute to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs for providing direct humanitarian assistance to victims and for launching an appeal for additional emergency humanitarian assistance. The 6 January meeting convened in Jakarta at the initiative of the Indonesian Government was also important for coordinating international relief efforts and made possible an international plan for providing required assistance and for mitigating the consequences of the tragedy.

The representative of Somalia spoke of the magnitude and the consequences of the tragedy; it changed the very topography of the Somali coastline. We express our appreciation to and solidarity with the international community, Governments and relief, rehabilitation and reconstruction organizations. They have demonstrated solidarity and cooperation by trying to cope with the disaster. We call upon them to ensure that the affected countries and peoples are assisted so that they can overcome the devastating physical and psychological effects of the tragedy. We urge donor nations and relevant international organizations and institutions to fulfil their pledges of financial and technical assistance.

We support the proposal that the Secretary-General appoint a special representative to coordinate international reconstruction and rehabilitation efforts with a view to mitigating the effects of the disaster in the medium and long terms. The Secretary-General should have access to all the necessary resources to ensure that the international community can rapidly respond to disasters and provide humanitarian relief. Preparatory work and initiatives should be carried out to that end. Preventive arrangements under the aegis of the United Nations should be established and public education on disaster warning and prevention should be conducted, especially in local communities.

It does not appear that tsunamis are limited to certain regions of the world. Other regions as well can be struck by catastrophes and tragedies similar to the one that struck South and South-East Asia. We believe it is urgent to implement the decision of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations to establish a regional mechanism for disaster prevention and preparation in order to mitigate the effects of disasters. It is also necessary to enhance national and regional capacities and to share necessary science and technology to establish a regional early warning system, thereby enabling countries and the international community to react in solidarity and partnership when disasters take place. Efforts to coordinate humanitarian assistance after natural disasters are also necessary. Solidarity throughout the world demonstrates that such a course of action is necessary to relieve the suffering caused by such disasters.

It is an honour to add my country's name to the list of sponsors of the draft resolution, which the General Assembly should adopt unanimously.

Mr. Chulkov (Russia)

The Russian delegation supports the statement by the representative of Kazakhstan on behalf of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization. I would like to add a few additional comments.

First, on behalf of our delegation, I once again express our deepest condolences to those countries affected by the tsunami in the Indian Ocean. We grieve together with the peoples of those States, and we assure them of our ongoing support.

In the light of the devastating consequences of the natural disaster, on the instructions of the President of the Russian Federation, our country began to send humanitarian assistance to the affected countries on the very next day following the catastrophe. On 27 December, aircraft of the Ministry of Emergency Situations delivered to Sri Lanka search and rescue teams with special equipment and rescue dogs. Humanitarian deliveries to the region followed, including urgently needed supplies, water purification stations, mobile electric generators, tents, bedding, disinfectants, drinking water and food. In response to the request made by affected States, we began an airlift of Russian equipment and medical staff on 9 January for deployment on the island of Sumatra, Indonesia, and a field hospital and health and anti-epidemic teams were sent to Thailand and Sri Lanka. In addition, Russia has allocated more than 20,000 tons of grain for the people of the aforementioned three countries. As of 14 January, the aircraft of the Russian Ministry of Emergency Situations and Ministry of Defence have already conducted 20 flights to the region, delivering humanitarian supplies totalling more than 500 tons.

Russia is giving assistance to the affected countries not only on a bilateral basis but also within the framework of multilateral efforts. The Russian representative took part as an observer in the early January meeting in Jakarta on disaster relief in the Indian Ocean. A Russian delegation is now taking part in the work of the World Conference for Disaster Reduction, which began today in Kobe, Japan, during which there are plans to discuss, among other things, the lessons to be drawn from this tragedy.

In a statement at the Geneva donors conference on 11 January, the Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation announced that the Government has made a decision to allocate $22 million to mitigate the consequences of the earthquake and the tsunami; of that sum, $12 million will go to the World Food Programme, $3 million to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, $3.5 million to UNICEF and $3.5 million to the World Health Organization. With respect to the airlift by the Russian Ministry of Civil Defence, Emergencies and Natural Disasters of humanitarian assistance, medical supplies and food, the Russian contribution to alleviating the consequences of the disaster has amounted to date to over $33 million.

For us, as for the international community, it is important properly to assess the tragedy that has occurred and to draw appropriate conclusions from it. We feel that the following must clearly be taken into account.

There is a growing need in the current circumstances for the capacity to predict emergency situations, to prepare for them in advance, and to react swiftly to them. Of particular timeliness in this instance is the effort to strengthen the machinery to plan for such situations in the future.

We must strengthen national early warning systems so that the damage caused by natural disasters can be evaluated and their consequences mitigated. That should lead to the establishment of a global network for early warning in major emergency situations. In that connection, we welcome the initiative of States members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations to establish such a regional system and, as a sponsor, we actively support the draft resolution before the Assembly.

We believe that the International Strategy for Disaster Reduction must continue to seek to integrate emergency response machinery into development programmes, which is of particular importance to the developing countries in the context of achieving the Millennium Development Goals. In all of this work, a principal mobilizing and coordinating role must, of course, continue to be played by the United Nations, which, as experience has shown, can ensure that the humanitarian needs of afflicted populations are met in the most effective manner. In that regard, it is important for the Organization to recall the significance of transparency and accountability in allocating assistance provided by donors.

Mr. Gillerman (Israel)

Israel shares the international community's deep sorrow over the thousands of lives lost to the ravages of nature and its profound sense of concern for those victims still suffering.

The United Nations was itself born out of calamity. Its birth heralded the fact that cooperation and international brotherhood could bring rays of light to even the darkest of times. We face an analogous situation today. So many innocent people have been lost to us and intense distress has been visited on those who have survived, but the cooperation being exhibited by the international community is a manifestation of the fundamental moral unity of mankind and a reaffirmation of the United Nations founding principles. That cooperation transcends nationality, race, ethnicity and religion, for this is a tragedy that is felt around the world, and providing for those who have been most savagely affected by it is the responsibility of all.

Israel is proud to be playing a part in the recovery effort. We feel that the moral responsibility to ease the suffering of fellow human beings extends beyond borders, geography and politics. To that end, Israel has been honoured to put some of our capabilities and know-how about dealing with disasters, gained through bitter experience, at the disposal of those nations struck by the tsunami. We are pleased to have contributed financially to the relief efforts of the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), attesting to our continued support for the general mandate and humanitarian work of OCHA. In addition, a plane from Israel's El Al airline recently flew to Sri Lanka and Indonesia, carrying 85 tons of emergency aid materials donated by Israeli organizations and companies.

Emergency kitchens are providing hot meals for some 4,000 people per day. An Israeli mobile medical clinic has been set up and a separate medical delegation specializing in trauma has already begun work on the ground in Sri Lanka. Israel's Magen David Adom, as part of its ongoing increasing cooperation with the International Committee of the Red Cross, participated in the relief efforts both independently and in concert with other Federation partners. Israel also sent a police forensic unit specializing in casualty identification, as well as psychological teams very experienced in post-trauma situations.

Israeli aid to Indonesia has included 16 tons of baby food, 30 tons of rice, flour, water, sugar and grain, and 20 tons of medicine. In addition, non-governmental Israeli organizations have donated two water purification systems and 12 communication networks. As the Director-General of Israel's Foreign Ministry recently said, Indonesia is

"the largest Muslim country in the world, with which we do not have diplomatic relations. I feel that they received our aid as it was given, from heart to heart, Jews helping Muslims in times of distress."

Indeed, although the world has just witnessed the depths of cruelty that nature is capable of unleashing, we are now seeing the extent to which international brotherhood and universal human morality can fuse us all in times of real need. Let us hope that the sense of international solidarity brought on by the relief efforts is not temporary or isolated, and that our empathy for those suffering does not end at the shores of the countries affected by this disaster. Rather, we should continue to unite to help all those around the world who are in distress. Each and every life is sacred. As the Talmud teaches us, "He who saves one human life saves the world entire."

Mr. Adel (Egypt)

I should like to express our gratitude for the urgent consideration of this agenda item on the strengthening of the coordination of humanitarian and disaster relief assistance of the United Nations in the aftermath of the Indian Ocean tsunami disaster.

I endorse the statement made by the representative of Guinea on behalf of the African Group.

In solidarity and deepest sympathy, we address our sincere condolences to the Governments and families of the victims of the tsunamis that struck a number of friendly countries in South and South-East Asia and East Africa, including our sister country of Somalia. We also express our solidarity as human beings in the face of that tragic natural disaster.

The countries that have been stricken by this catastrophe have suffered human and material losses that require the coordination of assistance from the international community, the United Nations and its specialized relief agencies. They must not only provide emergency assistance, but also continue to provide a wide range of medium- and long-term aid so as to ensure the success of national and regional reconstruction and rehabilitation efforts, normalize the lives of the survivors in those countries and enable them to overcome the effects of the catastrophe.

We would like to express our gratitude to those donor countries which have provided debt and debt servicing relief to the affected countries. That will undoubtedly help the States affected by the disaster to accelerate the implementation of their reconstruction and rehabilitation programmes.

In this context, Egypt also supports the draft resolution submitted for consideration by the General Assembly today. We also invite member States to support the draft and to work actively towards its implementation.

The Egyptian delegation has on many occasions, in particular in November 2004, during our general debate on this agenda item, stated the importance of coordination by the United Nations of humanitarian assistance, and it underlined also the need for prioritization and an integrated approach in dealing with natural disasters at their various stages.

I should like in that connection to commend the active and effective role played by the Secretary-General and by the relevant bodies of the United Nations system, especially the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, in dealing with the crisis and in coordinating relief efforts. We hope that the assistance being provided by States and international financial institutions, for which we express our gratitude, will continue and be doubled so that humanitarian assistance can be adequately funded, with a view not only to alleviating the devastating effects of the increasing number of natural and environmental disasters on poor nations that have taken place in recent years, but also to acting in accordance with the principle of solidarity and international integration and in keeping with the letter and the spirit of the Charter of the United Nations.

For its part, Egypt has decided to send urgent humanitarian assistance to the most affected countries by using its aircraft to provide food, medical assistance, medicines, tents and blankets to the affected countries, in coordination with these countries and in accordance with their needs and priorities. The Egyptian Government wishes thereby to express its solidarity with those friendly countries at this time of crisis and to help in international efforts to cope with this disaster, which has caused such a tremendous loss of life and has so seriously damaged the region's towns and infrastructure.

Finally, we would like to express Egypt's full solidarity with the affected States and peoples as well our readiness fully to cooperate with the international community and the United Nations in working to help cope with this disaster and to avoid any repetition of this tragedy in future.

Mrs. Patterson (United States)

We recently witnessed one of the worst displays of natural destruction in history. More than 150,000 lives were lost in the 26 December earthquake and tsunami in the Indian Ocean. Families have been struck by devastating grief, losing loved ones, homes and livelihoods. The American people offer their profound sympathy to the peoples and nations touched by this tragedy, and we recognize and are grateful to the leadership of the United Nations in coordinating assistance to victims of the disaster.

As President Bush said, in the midst of this tragedy we have also witnessed one of the greatest displays of compassion. People and nations are working to ease the suffering brought on by this terrible disaster. The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) reports that more than $3 billion has been pledged by donors so far, one of the largest humanitarian relief operations in history.

The United States Government has made an initial commitment of $350 million for disaster relief, rehabilitation and reconstruction for victims of the tsunami. America's armed forces and emergency response specialists from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) have been sent to the region to support relief efforts and are distributing aid 24 hours a day. In addition to United States Government support, tsunami victims have also received aid from American citizens, non-governmental organizations and businesses.

Despite these valiant international efforts, there should be no illusion as to how long it will take to rebuild affected communities. The United States is committed to the long-term reconstruction of the affected countries. The primary responsibility for rebuilding lies with the disaster-struck countries themselves, and reconstruction plans will reflect their priorities. The international community has a chance to work alongside those affected. It will be vitally important for donors to continue to work in close, coordinated fashion with host Governments, each other and the agencies conducting assessments so that resources are used effectively.

It is also imperative that reconstruction efforts include the establishment of a warning system to reduce the likelihood that widespread death and destruction from such a disaster will occur again. The United States strongly supports a global warning system, conducted under the aegis of the Global Earth Observation System of Systems (GEOSS). We encourage those nations interested in a global tsunami warning system to work with the GEOSS consortium of 54 nations to develop the technical and data-handling aspects of such a system. GEOSS is particularly important because it is an already existing framework for international coordination and deals with data-sharing and availability issues. The United States encourages all nations to operate within the GEOSS framework, building on its existing, promising, multilateral format.

Any development of a regional warning system should be part of an integrated global system. An internationally coordinated tsunami warning system already exists in the Pacific Ocean -- the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization's (UNESCO) Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission Tsunami Warning System. The implementation of a global warning system should be carried out by expanding the existing UNESCO tsunami warning system in the Pacific Ocean into the Indian Ocean and anywhere coastal communities are threatened by tsunamis. Within this global design, the United States believes that the development of an Indian Ocean part of the global warning system should be a top near-term priority.

A detection and monitoring system for tsunamis is necessary but not sufficient to reduce a tsunami disaster. The technical systems for detection and monitoring must be complemented by an assessment of existing warning capabilities, training of local officials, installation of national and local warning communications systems, and a process of public education that will enable citizens in susceptible areas to respond appropriately to warnings. National and local officials in threatened nations must be prepared to respond to warnings within minutes and to communicate warnings to local populations via sirens, mass media, specialized radio systems and other notification technologies. Response plans must be developed nationally and locally well in advance of a hazardous event, and the public must be well educated about response plans. National and local authorities must take the lead in educating their populations about response plans.

Finally, monitoring and warning systems should be designed with the intent of serving to alert at-risk populations about all major hazards in their area, and not exclusively about tsunamis and earthquakes. This "all-hazards" philosophy should permeate thinking on the development of a global warning system.

The United States is committed to working with international partners to develop and improve such a system. At the third Earth Observation Summit in Brussels, to be held on 16 February 2005, the United States will present its preliminary plan for a global tsunami detection and warning system. That plan will be consistent with the points I have made here, namely, that the United States supports the development of a global, all-hazards warning system, conducted under the aegis of GEOSS and building on the existing UNESCO Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission Tsunami Warning System in the Pacific.

In the best tradition of the United Nations, the international community has stood together with the affected countries to respond to the devastation of the South Asian earthquake and tsunami of 26 December. We commend the level of international cooperation in that humanitarian response and particularly note the dedication of United Nations staff members all across the globe who have worked tirelessly on that complex operation. We must continue to work together to develop a global warning system to prevent such massive destruction and loss of life from happening again, whether from an earthquake, tsunami or other form of natural disaster.

Mr. Bennouna (Morocco)

First, allow me to thank you, Mr. President, for convening this important meeting to discuss the consequences of the earthquake and tsunami that occurred in the Indian Ocean.

On behalf of the Government and the people of Morocco, I express our profound sympathy and sincere condolences to the leaders, the families of the victims and the peoples of the region affected by that natural disaster.

Morocco, which at the beginning of last year suffered a deadly earthquake affecting its northern provinces, shares the grief and suffering of the peoples that were victims of that tragedy, whose scale and unexpectedness struck the entire world. The international community, including civil society, the private sector and the general public, reacted spontaneously and with great generosity to aid the affected populations.

We pay tribute to the role and the initiatives of our Secretary-General, Mr. Kofi Annan, subsequent to the tragedy, in particular his appointment of a coordinator of all emergency assistance and relief operations in the devastated areas.

For its part, Morocco has done everything within its means to assist the disaster victims. We immediately sent emergency relief assistance, consisting principally of medicines and other urgently needed items. Moroccan non-governmental organizations actively provided support to victims in the brotherly countries of Indonesia, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Thailand and the Maldives.

The generosity and the solidarity demonstrated attest to the existence of a worldwide awareness that we all belong to a single planet, threatened by common phenomena and catastrophes that could strike any time anywhere.

The consequences of the earthquake and tsunami are disastrous for the populations and the economies of the countries affected. The rehabilitation and reconstruction of the affected region will take time and require massive investment in the short term. as well as in the medium and long terms.

The collected funds and the pledged assistance, however considerable they may seem, will not suffice for the complete reconstruction of the damaged areas. Sustained support from the international community is vital in that respect. International and regional financial institutions must play an essential role in the reconstruction of the socio-economic fabric and the basic infrastructure, in order to restore hope to the affected peoples.

The tragedy that has struck the Indian Ocean touches us all. It demonstrates once again our vulnerability to natural phenomena and reminds us that we must incorporate disaster prevention and disaster risk reduction into our development policies. The tragedy underlines the need to strengthen the global capability to respond to disasters -- as the representative of the United States has just noted -- and the importance of implementing early warning mechanisms and of strengthening international cooperation to that end.

The World Conference on Disaster Reduction, which began today in Kobe, Japan, provides an opportunity for all Member States to identify measures to guard against the risk of natural disasters. When I say "guard against", I do not mean, of course, that we can prevent natural disasters but that we can at least reduce the risks to human life and property. The Conference is timely, coming just after the earthquake and tsunami in Asia, at a time when international public opinion and world leaders are focused on that part of the world and on the tragedy that has just taken place. The international community should not fail to take advantage of this unique opportunity to take concrete measures to reduce the disaster risks, to establish early warning and response mechanisms and to strengthen the capacity of poor countries to prevent disasters.

Experience in dealing with the consequences of natural disasters of recent decades has demonstrated that poverty exacerbates the risk of devastation caused by natural disasters. Earthquakes, cyclones, floods and droughts cause more victims and damage in poor areas, where people do not have the means or the capability to foresee and prevent situations of that type or to respond appropriately when a disaster occurs.

Natural disasters should prompt us all to redouble our efforts to foster peace, mutual assistance and international solidarity and to act collectively with a view to reducing the risk of disasters of all types and origins and, when they occur, to be prepared in order to limit the loss of human life and material damage.

Finally, we would like to emphasize that Morocco, which has become a sponsor of the draft resolution introduced by the representative of the Lao People's Democratic Republic on behalf of the countries affected by the tsunami and others, hopes that the text, once adopted, will be implemented as speedily as possible with a view to ensuring that the international community can continue to mobilize and to cope with the gravity of the situation.

Mr. Oshima (Japan)

Allow me at the outset, Sir, to express our pleasure at seeing you preside over this meeting, which is obviously of great importance to the entire international community.

Mr. Oshima (Japan)

First of all, I would like to extend my deepest sympathies and condolences to the victims of the 26 December tsunami disaster in the Indian Ocean, as well as to their families. I wish to reiterate Japan's solidarity with the countries affected by that unprecedented tragedy and express our sincere respect for the tremendous relief efforts their Governments and people have deployed to cope with that extremely dire situation.

I wish to take this opportunity to express our appreciation to the Secretary-General for his leadership in guiding the United Nations efforts; to all United Nations agencies and their aid workers who are providing assistance, day in and day out, under extremely trying circumstances; and especially to Under-Secretary-General Jan Egeland and his team from the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, who are doing an outstanding job coordinating humanitarian assistance and helping to raise funds from the international community. The concerted international response, both public and private, has been truly remarkable.

For its part, my country, Japan -- itself highly prone to natural disasters -- has been providing assistance in every way it can by mobilizing its personnel, assets, knowledge and expertise, and by providing financial support.

With respect to the deployment of personnel, we have sent several civilian disaster-relief teams to the affected region to provide emergency relief and medical and other assistance to the devastated areas in Indonesia, Thailand, Sri Lanka and the Maldives. Japan has also mobilized assets of its self-defence forces for maritime search-and-rescue operations, air transportation, epidemic prevention and medical treatment.

To date, Japan has pledged $500 million as its immediate grant contribution and in response to the United Nations flash appeal, which covers support over the next six months. Japan will complete disbursement this week of half of its grant contribution, $250 million, which will be allocated directly to United Nations agencies, funds and programmes and other international organizations that are engaged in relief and rehabilitation. The $250 million will comprise about 25 per cent of the flash appeal launched by the Secretary-General in Jakarta 12 days ago.

Moreover, Japan, as a fellow Asian country, will provide the remaining half of the $500 million pledged to the most severely affected Asian countries -- Indonesia, Sri Lanka and the Maldives, among others -- through bilateral grant aid, and that bilateral assistance will also be disbursed immediately. I join the Secretary-General in appealing to other countries that have pledged assistance to implement their pledges as quickly as possible.

The word "tsunami" is a term that derives from an old Japanese word meaning "harbour waves" or "port waves". It suddenly crashes down on a harbour or port -- usually populated areas -- after going undetected on the high seas. To prevent or mitigate the damage and suffering that tsunamis can cause after a massive earthquake in the ocean, an early warning system is critically important. After the painful lesson of the tsunami disaster caused by the huge earthquake that struck Chile in 1960 -- in which crashing waves as high as 12 metres swept down on that country and, hours later, impacted the beaches of other countries of the Pacific rim, including parts of Japan -- the International Coordination Group for the Tsunami Warning System in the Pacific was established under the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), and a round-the-clock monitoring and warning system was created, with a key monitoring centre in Hawaii, in the middle of the Pacific Ocean.

Today, 18 January, as we speak, the United Nations World Conference on Disaster Reduction has just opened in the city of Kobe, in Hyogo Prefecture, Japan, where, it will be remembered, a severe earthquake struck the city and killed over 6,000 people 10 years ago. One of the lessons from the recent tsunami tragedy is the need for an early warning system for the region. Japan, as the host country, has proposed a special session at the Kobe Conference that would be dedicated to the discussion of the establishment of a tsunami early warning system in the Indian Ocean and South-East Asian region. We hope that a concrete plan of action will be agreed upon at that meeting so that the concerned countries in the region, with the support of the international community, will begin their work on a reliable mechanism of early warning.

The International Strategy for Disaster Reduction (ISDR), UNESCO and other relevant agencies, working together with the donor community, should play a key role in such efforts, building on the experience and expertise gained in the Pacific Ocean early warning system. In that effort, Japan can and will contribute significantly by providing the necessary knowledge and expertise that it has acquired through its own experience over the centuries with many earthquakes and tsunamis. In addition to a financial contribution of $4 million to ISDR for promoting international cooperation in that area, in close collaboration with UNESCO, Japan stands ready to cooperate with the United Nations and other interested donor countries, as well as coastal countries directly concerned.

It is a stark fact that nearly 75 per cent of the world's population live in areas that have experienced at least one serious natural disaster event of one kind or another -- earthquake, typhoon, cyclone, hurricane, flood, drought and so on -- over the past 20 years. Billions of people in over 100 countries are known to suffer periodically from the effects of natural calamities. Every day, on average, natural disasters claim the lives of close to 200 people around the world. In 2003 alone, 700 natural hazards resulted in 75,000 deaths and economic losses of more than $65 billion. Thus, unmitigated natural disasters not only take high human tolls, but also destroy economic and social infrastructure and set back development, particularly in developing countries, which in effect constitutes a dire threat to human security. They have a particularly severe impact on the poor -- either a country or a population within a country -- by exposing and augmenting vulnerabilities. They adversely affect, in no insignificant way, our fight against poverty, hunger and disease.

Despite that stark reality, the issues relating to natural disasters are, in my view, unfortunately underestimated by nations and by the international community, including the United Nations system. Not enough attention has been paid to the importance of disaster reduction and not enough political will has been mobilized, particularly in addressing the impact of natural disasters on development.

If awareness of the need for an early warning system is one lesson learned from the current tsunami disaster in the Indian Ocean, another lesson that should be learned is the need to enhance the political will to cope with natural disasters by incorporating, for example, disaster prevention and mitigation into national development planning. Natural hazards cannot be prevented, but damage caused by hazards can be prevented and avoided by proper preparedness, response and mitigation efforts.

That point is strongly emphasized in Japan's Initiative for Disaster Reduction through Official Development Assistance, which was announced by Prime Minister Koizumi on the occasion of the World Conference on Disaster Reduction now taking place. The amount of Japan's official development assistance directed to projects and programmes for disaster reduction has been at the highest levels among donors, with some $300 million in fiscal year 2003. Based on the Initiative, Japan will continue to actively support the efforts of developing countries to build a disaster-resilient society through a comprehensive menu of assistance, such as institution-building, human resource development and infrastructure development.

As the Secretary-General has emphasized, support from the international community to help the disaster-stricken countries in the Indian Ocean should not stop at immediate relief, however important that is. Given the magnitude of the disaster, assistance for rehabilitation and reconstruction will need to be provided over the long term. The international community must sustain strong political will to that end. Japan stands firm in extending the maximum possible assistance to rehabilitation and reconstruction efforts, as well as to immediate relief.

I sincerely hope that the outpouring of compassion and the unity of purpose shown around the world will help strengthen international cooperation and resolve to address the many problems faced by the world community, including disaster prevention and reduction, climate change and a development strategy that incorporates disaster reduction, all with a view to opening up a new vista for the future.

Mr. Kumalo (South Africa)

I thank you very much, Sir, for helping us to organize this meeting today.

We wish to join in reiterating our Government's condolences to the people and Governments of the countries of South-East Asia and the east coast of Africa who were victims of the unprecedented devastation caused by the undersea earthquake. The tsunami hit India, Indonesia, Kenya, Maldives, Madagascar, Seychelles, Somalia, Sri Lanka, Tanzania and Thailand, and claimed thousands of lives. For example, a South African Inter-Ministerial Committee delegation visited Somalia and discovered that more than 300 people had died and that 54,000 were displaced by the tsunami. South Africa itself lost a number of its citizens and we are still searching for many that remain missing. We can therefore understand why the world has responded so urgently and warmly to the victims of that unprecedented disaster.

We note with appreciation the response of the many countries that have given assistance to the victims of the tsunami. The commitments made by the international community in Jakarta and Geneva are unprecedented. My delegation is particularly pleased that the United Nations system, especially the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), responded promptly and in a manner that has done our Organization proud. However, it is the donations by people of all ages and from all walks of life, including from every corner of the world, that are indeed heart-warming. Those people have taught us that solidarity remains possible in addressing global disasters.

Both Secretary-General Kofi Annan and Mr. Jan Egeland, Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs, have underscored the importance of ensuring that the international community remains committed and involved in the recovery and also in the reconstruction phase of the crisis. It is a hopeful sign that many world leaders have already acknowledged that their support for the tsunami victims is long-term and will in no way detract from commitments made to other development and humanitarian crises.

My delegation supports the call for the appointment of a special representative of the Secretary-General to coordinate humanitarian support for the United Nations. We also believe that the creation of an international disaster fund under the management of the United Nations is urgent. That would enable the United Nations to respond to the immediate needs of those affected by disasters while more long-term assistance is being mobilized.

Furthermore, South Africa, like many other countries, is supportive of the establishment of a tsunami early warning system in the Indian Ocean region. The establishment of such an early warning system would link well with Africa's plan to address humanitarian disasters in a regional manner following the adoption by the African Union of the Africa Regional Strategy for Disaster Risk Reduction.

In the Johannesburg Plan of Implementation adopted at the World Summit on Sustainable Development, we committed ourselves to an integrated, multi-hazard and inclusive approach, especially in the strengthening of early warning systems and the need to enhance institutional capacities to address vulnerability, risk assessment and disaster management.

From the lessons we have learned in the aftermath of the tsunami, including the devastation caused by hurricane Ivan in Grenada and Haiti, it is evident that the developing countries do not have the domestic resources to recover on their own. The efforts of developing countries to obtain the necessary capacity and means to strengthen their own responses to crises continue to be frustrated by declining levels of official development assistance and lack of foreign direct investment. Furthermore, many pledges made to provide assistance for reconstruction to developing countries that have suffered from natural disasters remain unfulfilled.

The report of the Millennium Project, led by Professor Jeffrey Sachs, confirms that assisting developing countries to achieve the international development goals, including those contained in the Millennium Declaration, will not be possible if the status quo remains. The report calls for a major scaling-up of investments in development, as well as for stronger and more effective international action on debt relief, trade and science and technology.

It is indeed ironic that the tsunami disaster happened at a time when we were in the midst of preparing ourselves for an important summit to be held in September 2005, at which some of us feared security issues were going to overwhelm the global agenda. The lesson from the tragic events in South-East Asia and the east coast of Africa, however, is that underdevelopment remains a permanent threat.

At the recent international meeting in Mauritius on the 10-year review of the Barbados Programme of Action for the Sustainable Development of Small Island Developing States, the Secretary-General reiterated the interconnectedness of development and security, and highlighted developmental challenges such as extreme poverty, climate change and the spread of infectious diseases such as malaria, tuberculosis and HIV/AIDS.

My delegation believes that, as we continue to prepare for the summit in September 2005, the important element throughout will be how we begin to develop global partnerships among developed and developing countries and involving private and civil society that can address both security and development. The challenge for us will be how we can act collectively, based on unwavering political commitment at all levels, to address the needs of the developed and the underdeveloped to create a better life for all. For that reason, we fully endorse the draft resolution before us today.

Mr. Tesch (Australia)

Let me begin by reiterating the Australian Government's deepest condolences to all those affected by the earthquake and tsunamis that struck the Indian Ocean region on 26 December.

I would also like to express our appreciation to the States members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) for their initiative in proposing this draft resolution on the tsunami disaster and response. It is important that we recognize and discuss this important issue in this Hall, and we are very pleased to be sponsoring the draft resolution.

Australia commends and strongly supports the leadership role that affected countries have played in the response to this disaster. Excellent regional cooperation swung into action immediately after the tsunami, and the international community's response deserves high praise indeed, but we would equally like to pay tribute to the way the countries of the region, ASEAN and others have come together in their response to this disaster.

We would also commend the role the United Nations is playing in the coordination of international assistance to tsunami-affected countries. Agencies such as UNICEF and the World Food Programme (WFP) are also playing an important role in the delivery of emergency relief. We are strongly supportive of the coordination role of the United Nations in the emergency response and would particularly like to recognize the contribution that Mr. Jan Egeland, Emergency Relief Coordinator and head of the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, has made.

Australia's assistance to victims of the tsunami disaster has been immediate, generous, closely coordinated with the national capacities in the tsunami-affected communities, and targeted to priority needs. It is a clear reflection of our commitment to the Asia region.

The Australian Government has provided 60 million Australian dollars for emergency relief across the region, funding direct support by Australians sent to the affected areas, as well as the activities of United Nations agencies, non-governmental organizations and international organizations such as the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC).

In addition to the immediate emergency assistance we have provided and continue to provide, the Australian Government has announced a 1 billion Australian dollar, five-year partnership for reconstruction and development between Australia and Indonesia. That programme will assist Indonesia to recover from the devastating impact of the tsunami and is the biggest single aid package in Australia's history. Importantly, it recognizes that emergency relief is just the tip of the iceberg of the true impact of this disaster. The recovery process and the rehabilitation and reconstruction work will take many years and cost many billions of dollars.

Another component of our response is the assistance being provided directly by the Australian Defence Forces and Australian Federal Police, which have fielded relief teams to assist with medical and victim identification services.

I think it is also important here to acknowledge the response from the public and private sectors around the world, including in Australia. As is happening the world over, the people of Australia are expressing their sympathy and their support for those affected by the tsunami disaster. To date, the Australian public has contributed some 190 million Australian dollars to the relief and rebuilding effort. A national day of mourning was observed across Australia on 16 January, and, here in New York, a relief concert will be held next week, on 26 January -- coincidentally, the national day of India, one of the affected countries, and also of Australia -- to help raise funds for the victims of this tragedy.

In addition to responding to the relief, reconstruction and rehabilitation needs, a key element of the draft resolution that we will be adopting today is about better systems for warning of such disasters, for preparing for their impact and for mitigating the damage that they do. We stand ready to help the region take forward efforts to prepare for, mitigate against and respond to future disasters, and we look forward to continuing our cooperation with other delegations.

Mr. Zhang Yishan (China)

At the outset, allow me to express once again, on behalf of the Chinese Government and people, our deepest condolences to the families of the victims and the most sincere sympathy to those who lost loved ones in the Indian Ocean tsunami disaster on 26 December last.

Let me first thank you, Mr. President, for having convened today's meeting, which is being held at the initiative of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) countries, which I should like to thank as well. Let me also express my gratitude to the delegation of Kazakhstan for the statement it made on behalf of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization -- a statement that we endorse.

The Indian Ocean tsunami is a disaster for all of humankind. The international community has responded positively and strongly with an unprecedented global humanitarian emergency relief effort. The United Nations, for its part, has played an important leadership and coordination role. Secretary-General Kofi Annan and the heads of the United Nations agencies concerned paid timely visits to the disaster-stricken areas to carry out inspections and provide guidance in disaster-relief efforts. The Secretary-General also attended the special ASEAN leaders' meeting on the aftermath of the earthquake and tsunami and, on behalf of the United Nations, made urgent appeals to the international community for post-disaster reconstruction.

Today we are considering a draft resolution entitled "Strengthening emergency relief, rehabilitation, reconstruction and prevention in the aftermath of the Indian Ocean tsunami disaster", submitted by Laos at today's resumed meeting of the fifty-ninth session of the General Assembly. This meeting has provided Member States with the opportunity to pool their wisdom in order to help the affected countries and reflects the human spirit of togetherness in times of difficulties and disasters. The Chinese delegation supports the convening of this meeting and hopes that the draft resolution will be adopted by consensus.

Since China is a developing country that is also prone to natural disasters, we have a profound understanding of the damage and the suffering endured by the affected people. As a friendly neighbour of the afflicted countries, we have been filled with anxiety and sympathy for their plight. In the wake of the catastrophe, the Chinese Government immediately launched its emergency mechanism and started a foreign disaster relief operation, the largest ever in China's history. The Chinese Government pledged $2.6 million in assistance the very next day. Later, in view of further developments, the Chinese Government committed to contributing another $60.5 million and is giving positive consideration to relieving the hardest hit countries of their governmental debt that had fallen due or to reducing their payments.

Individual donations by the general public in China have exceeded $12.1 million, including those from the elderly and children. One man of over 80 visited the local Red Cross office twice to contribute from his very modest pension. A six-year-old pupil led by his mother donated more than 1,000 yuan in coins he had saved over the past few years. Some young people personally called on the ambassadors of affected countries in China to make their contributions and express their sympathies. In the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, more than 500 million Hong Kong dollars have been raised. The Chinese Government has also dispatched medical and rescue teams to the affected areas at very short notice. The Macao Special Administrative Region has also sent a rescue team to the disaster-hit area.

At the special ASEAN leaders' meeting on the aftermath of the earthquake and tsunami, Premier Wen Jiabao announced that the Chinese Government would respond to the United Nations appeal with a donation of $20 million for multilateral relief and reconstruction efforts within the United Nations framework. At the United Nations ministerial meeting on humanitarian assistance to tsunami-affected communities held in Geneva, the Chinese Government confirmed that it would make its contribution, via the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, to the United Nations agencies -- including the United Nations Development Programme, the World Health Organization, the World Food Programme, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, the United Nations Children's Fund, the United Nations Population Fund and the International Organization for Migration -- for their emergency relief, post-disaster rehabilitation and reconstruction operations. China will consult with the Office on a detailed programme to distribute the aid and, in light of the needs of the affected countries, give priority to sanitation, drinking water, education and infrastructure restoration. We also hope that our contribution can be added to United Nations assistance in establishing an early warning and response mechanism for regional disasters.

As a Chinese saying goes, "when one place is in need, assistance comes from all quarters". The Indian Ocean tsunami disaster has demonstrated yet again that closer international and regional cooperation is an effective means for coping with natural disasters. The Chinese Government would like to join all Governments in a concerted effort to help the affected countries mitigate against disasters, rebuild their homes and restore their life to normality.

Mr. Hachani (Tunisia)

At this time of international bereavement, Tunisia reiterates its condolences to the affected countries of South Asia and Africa for their human losses resulting from the tsunami.

We further wish to express our esteem for the generous pledges of contributions made in response to the United Nations emergency appeal for the stricken countries. May that expression of worldwide solidarity and generosity help to limit the impact of the enormous human suffering caused by the disaster and to address the considerable needs for emergency assistance and long-term recovery aid.

In making its modest contribution as a symbol of compassion and solidarity with the victims, the Tunisian authorities, at the behest of President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali, have equipped four planes to carry humanitarian assistance in the form of food, blankets, tents and medicine.

My delegation commends the Secretary-General for his decision to send a special envoy for emergency assistance and reconstruction to the countries affected by the tsunami of 26 December.

Above and beyond the tsunami -- a borderless phenomenon that brutally struck eight Asian countries and five African -- 2004 was a year of destruction for many countries due to the effects of climate change, rising sea levels and hurricanes of exceptional violence that struck several regions around the world. There are many lessons to be drawn from those many catastrophes. The first undoubtedly concerns the need to establish an early warning system at the regional and international levels.

In that connection, my delegation joins in the Secretary-General's appeal for the establishment of a worldwide early warning system for all natural disasters and the decisive implementation of measures in response to climate change. Indeed, the 26 December tragedy has highlighted once again the need to create a worldwide warning and prevention system covering not only tsunamis, but also all other destructive phenomena, such as the effects of rising sea levels caused by global warming, tidal waves and hurricanes. The system should cover the areas most vulnerable to such phenomena, including the Mediterranean.

The mourning triggered by the tsunami in South-East Asia and Africa is global. The great movement of solidarity that it has generated is unprecedented. We express the hope that this moment of heightened solidarity in the history of our planet will further bolster our commitment to our Organization and to its ability to meet present and future humanitarian challenges throughout the world.

Tunisia has become a sponsor of the draft resolution before the Assembly and hopes that it will help us to continue effectively to address the problems of the countries stricken by the recent tragedy.

Mr. Almansoor (Bahrain)

As I speak, the world has been plunged into mourning by the tsunami, a natural disaster that has killed tens of thousands of people, unleashed terrible suffering and destruction, and bereft hundreds of thousands of people of their livelihood.

I should like, on behalf of the Government and the people of Bahrain and on my own behalf, to express our heartfelt condolences and deep sympathy to the families of the victims and the peoples and the Governments of the friendly nations affected by this humanitarian disaster -- a catastrophe unprecedented in recent history. We would also like to express our thanks and appreciation to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations for its initiative to convene this important meeting. I would also like to thank the Organization of the Islamic Conference and the Non-Aligned Movement for their support for the holding of this meeting.

The world was shocked by the undersea earthquake that struck the Indian Ocean region. It was horrified by the total destruction of cities and the disappearance of villages and the deaths of thousands of innocent children and young and elderly people. The disaster affected all alike -- large and small, strong and weak, rich and poor. They were all at one stroke displaced, dispersed and left with no families. People lost children, husbands, wives, mothers and fathers. Homes, churches, mosques and temples were all destroyed, without distinction.

One mitigating factor in this great tragedy is, of course, the solidarity, sympathy, immediate response and support expressed by the countries of the world to all those affected by the disaster, without regard to geographic, political, religious or ethnic distinction. We hope that that solidarity will continue among all of humanity. This is a time when we truly need such solidarity and compassion -- a time when the lack of security and stability has caused many problems and much conflict among nations. This one earthquake has brought together all countries, large and small, and demonstrates in a positive manner what we can do in the face of the unexpected effects of nature's anger.

In calling for emergency assistance to the affected States, Secretary-General Kofi Annan has stated that the international community would need more than $900 million over the next six months in order to cover the cost of emergency humanitarian assistance to the approximately 5 million people who have been affected by the catastrophe. Given the nature and scale of the disaster, solidarity on the part of the international community is an absolute necessity if those countries that have been affected are to overcome the consequences of the catastrophe.

Dealing with the effects of this grave disaster requires immediate assistance to the inhabitants of the affected areas, who will need to take steps to prevent such catastrophic consequences in the future. The international community will need to make a collective effort to establish an integrated early warning system in order to predict and to protect against such natural disasters, in terms of both preparing for and mitigating their destructive effects.

States and international, non-governmental and civil society organizations have all shown great solidarity in helping those affected everywhere, despite incalculable difficulties. I would like to express sincere gratitude and appreciation to all those countries and organizations that so rapidly provided emergency assistance to the affected States and their peoples.

We are deeply concerned about the possibility of the spread of communicable lethal diseases, such as cholera and malaria, among the survivors, and we believe that every necessary precaution should be taken to protect them. We also believe it extremely important to ensure the immediate provision of safe drinking water and emergency health services. The World Health Organization can play an extremely important role in these very difficult circumstances.

In addition to emergency relief, many survivors need psychological rehabilitation, medicines and medical treatment. They also need to regain their means of livelihood and to overcome the effects of the catastrophe. That will require the support and solidarity of the entire international community, which provided assistance in the immediate aftermath of the disaster.

The Kingdom of Bahrain was shocked by this humanitarian disaster and immediately responded to the call of duty, providing emergency assistance totalling $2 million to the affected States, in addition to sending the emergency material and humanitarian assistance that the people of Bahrain contributed through the humanitarian organizations that are active in the field. Bahrain has always shown solidarity with friendly States and peoples through good times and bad. We have always provided assistance at difficult times, and our people and Kingdom, under the leadership of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al-Khalifa, will always do so.