A/RES/36/225 GA

V. Resolutions adopted on the reports of the Second Committee 153 his Government's economic development priorities and in­ vited the international community to render assistance in dealing with serious economic and social problems in Zimbabwe, Recalling Security Council resolution 460 (1979) of 21 December 1979 and General Assembly resolution 35/100 of 5 December 1980, in which the international community was called upon to provide urgent assistance for the recon­ struction and rehabilitation of Zimbabwe, . Taking into account the economic policy statement of Zimbabwe, "Growth with equity", on the basis of which a. three-year plan was prepared, outlining short-term, me­ dtum-term and long-term national measures being under­ taken to establish an egalitarian socialist society under conditions of growth with equity, Having considered the report of the Secretary-General on assistance to Zimbabwe, 226 prepared in response to General Assembly resolution 35/ I 00, 1. Endorses the assessments and recommendations con­ tained in the report of the Secretary-General on assistance to Zimbabwe; 2. Expresses its appreciation to those Member States and regional and international organizations that have ex­ tended economic assistance to Zimbabwe through bilateral and multilateral arrangements; 3. Emphasizes that the social and economic reccnstruc­ tion of Zimbabwe is an ongoing exercise that will continue to require a massive injection of external assistance; 4. _Invites Ɖppropriate orƊaniza!ions and programmes of the Umted Nations system-m particular the United Nations Development Programme, the World Bank, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations the Inter­ national Fund for Agricultural Development, 'the World Health Organization, the United Nations Children's Fund the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Orga!1ization and thƋ International Labour Organisation­ to bƌng to_ the attentmn of their governing bodies, for their consideration, the urgent and special needs of Zimbabwe and to report the decisions of those bodies to the Secretary­ General by 15 July 1982; 5. Requests the Secretary-General: (a) To continue h_is efforts to mobilize the necessary resources for an effective programme of financial, technical and material assistance to Zimbabwe; (b) To ensure that adequate financial and budgetary ar­ rangements are made to continue the mobilization of inter­ national assistance to Zimbabwe; (c) To keep the situation in Zimbabwe under constant review, to maintain close contact with Member States the speciƍlizt:<I agencieƎ, regio!lal and other intergovernm;ntal orgamzatmns and mternat1onal financial institutions con­ cerned, and to apprise the Economic and Social Council at its second regular session of I 982, of the current statuƏ of the special programme of economic assistance for Zimbabwe; (d). _To arra_nge for a review of the progress made in orga!lizmƐ and implementing the special programme of eco­ nomic Ƒss1stance for that country in time for the matter to be cƒms1dered by the General Assembly at its thirty-seventh session. 226 N36/27 l and Corr. I . 103rd plenary meeting 17 December 1981 36/224. Expression of appreciation to the United Nations Disaster Relief Co-ordinator The General Assembly, Noting that the incumbent United Nations Disaster Relief Co-ordinator will shortly be relinquishing his duties, f!.<cognizing the role he has played in organizing and gmdmg the Office of the United Nations Disaster Relief Co­ ordinator in the performance of its functions, Deeply appreciative of the contribution he has made in creating and further developing that Office and of his un­ relenting efforts to alleviate human suffering through the special humanitarian tasks entrusted to him, I. Expresses its sincere appreciation to Mr. Faruk N. Berkol for the dedicated manner in which he has discharged the responsibilities of his office; 2. Extends its best wishes to him for his future under­ takings and well-being. 103rd plenary meeting 17 December /981 36/225. Strengthening the capacity of the United Nations system to respond to natural disasters and other disaster situations The General Assembly, Recalling its resolutions 2816 (XXVI) of 14 December 1971, by which it established the Office of the United Na­ tions Disaster Relief Co-ordinator, 3243 (XXIX) of 29 No­ vember 1974 on the strengthening of that Office, 3440 ( XX) of 9 December 1975, in which it provided, inter aha, for measures to be taken in support of the activities of the Office, and 3532 (XXX) of 17 December 1975 on the financing of emergency relief assistance and technical co-operation activities of the Office, Recalling also its resolution 311173 of 21 December 1976 on financial arrangements for the Office of the United Na­ tions Disaster Relief Co-ordinator, Recalling further the International Development Strategy for the Third United Nations Development Decade,227 Recalling the report of the United Nations Conference on the Least Developed Countries containing the Substantial New Programme of Action for the 1980s for the Least De­ veloped Ɠountries, in particular the section concerning dis­ aster assistance for the least developed countries, 228 Deeply concerned about the increasing number of natural disasters and other disaster situations, the economic burden borne by disaster-stricken and affected countries, particu­ larly the developing countries, and the disruption thereby caused to their development process, Also recalling its resolution 35/107 of 5 December 1980, Further recalling Economic and Social Council resolution 1980/43 of 23 July 1980 regarding international efforts to meet humanitarian needs in natural disasters and other dis­ aster situations, Fully cogniz=nt of the sovereign interests and rights of affected c<?uƔtnes and of the primacy of their role in caring for the victims of natural disasters and other disaster situations, A>ious that the_international community should respond spe_edily and effectively to calls for emergency humanitarian assistance, "' Resolution 35/56, annex '" Report of the United Nations Conference on the least Developed Countries. Pans. 1-14 September /98/ (United Nations publication, Sales No. E.82 18), part one. sect A. para. 59. 154 General Assembly-Thirty-sixth Session Recognizing that the quality and appropriateness of ma­ terial and other assistance provided by the international com­ munity should meet the particular needs of the populations of disaster-affected areas, Recognizing the contribution made by the United Nations system to the relief of suffering and provision of humani­ tarian relief in natural disasters mid other disaster situations, Recognizing that the primary responsibility of adminis­ tration, relief operations and disaster pr-,parednƕss lies with the affected countries and that the major part of the material assistance and human effort in disaster relief comes from the Governments of those countries, Recognizing also the importance in international relief of the contribution of the International Committee of the Red Cross, the League of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies and appropriate voluntary organizations, Recognizing further that, in order to attain an effective co-ordination system of humanitarian and disaster relief assistance, it is essential to strengthen and improve the ca­ pacity and effectiveness of the Office of the United Nations Disaster Relief Co-ordinator and the United Nations system as a whole in order to enable the Office to respond to natural disasters and other disaster situations speedily, efficiently and effectively, and thereby ensure prompt delivery of con­ certed relief, Recognizing that a major constraint for the United Nations system to respond effectively to natural disasters and other disaster situations has been the shortage of resources. 1. Takes note of the reports of the Secretary-General and other reports on international efforts to meet humani­ tarian needs in emergency situations, as well as on measures for strengthening the capacity of the United Nations system to respond to natural disasters and other disaster situations229 and of the statement made by the United Nations Disaster Relief Co-ordinator before the Second Committee on 5 November 1981 ;230 2. Reaffirms the sovereignty of individual Member States, recognizes the primary role of each State in caring for the victims of disasters occurring in its territory and stresses that all relief operations should be carried out and co-ordinated in a manner consistent with the priorities and needs of the countries concerned; 3. Reaffirms the mandate of the Office of the United Nations Disaster Relief Co-ordinator, established by the General Assembly in resolution 2816 (XXVI) as the focal point of the United Nations system for disaster relief co­ ordination, and calls for strengthening and improvement of the capacity and effectiveness of the Office; 4. Endorses the approaches outlined by the Secretary­ General in his comments on the report of the Joint Inspection Unit concerning the role of the Office of the United Nations Disaster Relief Co-ordinator in the various phases of disaster assistance; 23 1 5. Requests the Secretary-General to continue to take ftte necessary steps to strengthen the management operations of the Office of the United Nations Disaster Relief Co­ ordinator; 6. Stresses the need to take full advantage of infor­ mation provided by existing early-warning monitoring sys­ tems that have been developed to strengthen the capacity of the United Nations system in responding to natural dis- 229 See A/36/73 and Add. I, A/36/259 and Ell 981/16 and Corr. I . annex. See also decision 1981 /2 of the Administrative Committee on Coordination (ACC/1981/DEC/l-lO). 230 Official Records of the General As.remblv, Thirtv-sixlh Session, Sec- ond Committee, 29th meeting, paras. 33-40. • • m A/36/73/Add. l. asters and other disaster situations and to co-ordinate, as far as feasible and useful, all the relevant early-warning systems, and stresses that, to this effect, the capability of the Office of the United Nations Disaster Relief Co-ordinator in information collection and dissemination should be fur­ ther strengthened and improved; 7. Urges the appropriate organs, organizations and bod­ ies of the United Nations system, including the United Na­ tions Children's Fund. the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, tƖe World Health Organization. the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Ref­ ugees, the World Food Programme and other appropriate bodies, to co-operate closely, in their respective areas of competence, with the Office of the United Nations Disaster Relief Co-ordinator in disaster relief activities and other disaster situations, to respond effectively to the needs of the situation and to comply promptly with the requests of disaster-affected countries; 8. Decides that, in response to a request for disaster relief from a disaster-stricken State and, as necessary, in particular in disaster-prone countries, the United Nations resident co-ordinator shall. with the full concurrence, con­ sent and participation of the Government, convene meetings of the concerned organs. organizations and bodies of the United Nations system to plan, monitor and take immediate action to provide assistance and the International Committee of the Red Cross. the League of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies and appropriate voluntary organizations may be invited to participate in such meetings with the approval of the host country; 9. Decides that. following a request for disaster relief from a disaster-stricken State and whenever required to deal effectively with complex disasters and emergencies of ex­ ceptional magnitude. the Secretary-General or his represen­ tative, who would normally be the United Nations Disaster Relief Co-ordinator, shall convene meetings of the con­ ci>rned organizations of the United Nations system in order to develop a concerted relief programme and conduct ad hoe consultations with the heads or representatives of the agencies concerned with disaster-relief questions, with a view to ensuring speedy and efficient delivery of goods and services to the disaster-stricken areas, and decides that these ad hoe consultations should draw on information provided by the Government concerned, as well as on the assessments of the United Nations Disaster Relief Co-ordinator, the res­ ident co-ordinator and representatives of other United Na­ tions organizations in the countries concerned, and take into account advice offered by the International Committee of the Red Cross, the League of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies and appropriate voluntary organizations in the field with the understanding that all agencies with responsibilities for natural disasters and other disaster situations should be involved at the appropriate level in such consultations; 10. Decides that. once it has been determined-on the basis of the above-mentioned information and consulta­ tions-that an exceptional or complex natural disaster or other disaster situation requiring system-wide action exists, the Secretary-General shall designate, at the international level, a lead entity from among the United Nations organ­ izations, agencies and bodies, including the Office of the United Nations Disaster Relief Co-ordinator, and, at the country level, the appropriate entity of the United Nations system to carry out relief operations, taking into account the specific requirements of the situation and in consultation with the host Government, and calls upon all organs. or­ ganizations and bodies of the United Nations system to co­ operate closely with one another in their relief operations; 11. Invites the Administrative Committee on Co-ordi­ nation to examine urgently the role of the lead entity and participating organs. organizations and bodies of the United V. Resolutions adopted on the reports of the Second Committee 155 Nations system in complex disaster situations, taking into account decision 1981/2 of that Committee, and requests the Secretary-General to submit a report, through the Eco­ nomic and Social Council at its second regular session of 1982, to the General Assembly at its thirty-seventh session, on the deliberations of the Committee; 12. Strongly calls upon all States to respond positively and expeditiously to the Secretary-General's appeals for contributions to meet natural disasters and other disaster situations; 13. Reiterates in particular, its appeal in resolution 35/ l 07 for increased contributions to the Trust Fund of the Office of the United Nations Disaster Relief Co-ordinator, in particular to the subaccount for humanitarian emergency relief; 14. Stresses in this regard the need to strengthen the operational capacity and the human, material and financial resources available to individual agencies and organizations, in order to enable them to play their respective roles more promptly, efficiently and effectively in natural disasters and other disaster situations; 15. Requests all States to ensure a full flow of infor­ mation to the Office of the United Nations Disaster Relief Co-ordinator, especially regarding relief actions, and also to provide the United Nations system with the necessary personnel and logistic support; 16. Urges Governments in disaster-prone countries to explore further, with the assistance of the donors, appro­ priate organs, organizations and bodies of the United Na­ tions system, the possibility of improving storage, communication and transportation facilities, as well as meas­ ures to ensure disaster preparedness and prevention; 17. Also urges the international community to assist disaster-prone countries, upon their request, with the estab­ lishment of effective national early-warning systems, the development of contingency plans for disasters and the strengthening of assessment capacity for relief requirements and for distribution and monitoring of relief supplies; 18. Calls upon organs, organizations and bodies of the United Nations system involved in the provision of human­ itarian assistance and disaster relief to establish emergency units ::>r focal points if they are not already in existence; 19. Reaffirms the need for the international community to respond fully to requests for emergency and humanitarian assistance, in particular through increased financial contri­ butions for affected developing countries, bearing in mind the relevant provisions of the International Development Strategy for the Third United Nations Development Decade and of the Substantial New Programme of Action for the 1980s for the Least Developed Countries, as well as those of the Trust Fund of the Office of the UniteC: Nations Disaster Relief Co-ordinator; 20. Requests the Secretary-General to submit a prelim­ inary progress report on the implementation of the present resolution to the General Assembly at its thirty-seventh ses­ sion, tnrough the Economic and Social Council at its second regular session of 1982, and a comprehensive report to the Assembly at its thirty-eighth session, through the CoJncil at its second regular session of 1983. 103rd plenary meeting 17 December 1981

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