IN DISASTER SITUATIONS, THERE MUST BE CLEAR ALLOCATION OF TASKS BETWEEN HUMANITARIAN AND POLITICAL BODIES, ASSEMBLY TOLD

21 November 1996

Press Release
GA/9171

IN DISASTER SITUATIONS, THERE MUST BE CLEAR ALLOCATION OF TASKS BETWEEN HUMANITARIAN AND POLITICAL BODIES, ASSEMBLY TOLD

19961121 Red Cross Observer Stresses Need for Enhanced Communication Between Political Bodies, Humanitarian Partners

Recent emergencies, such as those in Liberia, Burundi and now eastern Zaire, underscored the importance of a clearly defined allocation of tasks between humanitarian organizations and regional political bodies, an observer for the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) said this afternoon, as the General Assembly concluded its consideration of the coordination of humanitarian and disaster-relief assistance.

The international community sometimes appeared to push humanitarian agencies to the forefront, rather than seeking political solutions, he told the Assembly. It was important to enhance communication and consultation between the appropriate political bodies and their humanitarian partners in emergency situations, he said.

An observer for the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies said prevention and preparedness were the most effective ways of reducing conflict-induced human suffering. The Federation therefore welcomed current work aimed at developing early warning systems. The development of local capacity for dealing with emergencies was also essential.

The observer of Palestine said the Palestinian National Authority had worked to improve the living conditions of its people, despite the difficulties imposed by Israel. He expressed appreciation for international assistance to the Palestinian people, welcoming in particular the work of the United Nations Special Coordinator in the Occupied Territories.

Statements were also made by the representatives of Ukraine, Malaysia, Argentina, Egypt, Israel and the United Arab Emirates.

The Assembly will meet again at 10 a.m. on Monday, 25 November, to consider efforts to strengthen the United Nations system.

Assembly Work Programme

The General Assembly met this afternoon to continue its consideration of efforts to strengthen the coordination of United Nations humanitarian and disaster-relief assistance. It had before it a related report by the Secretary-General (document A/51/172), as well as reports on assistance to Mozambique, the southern Africa front-line States, Liberia, States affected by Security Council sanctions against the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (Serbia and Montenegro), Djibouti, Somalia, Sudan, Burundi, Rwanda and the Palestinian people.

The Assembly also had before it draft resolutions on assistance to Liberia (document A/51/L.24) and to States affected by Council sanctions against the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (document A/51/L.22). (For details on the reports and draft resolutions before the Assembly, see Press Release GA/9170, issued today.)

Statements

YURI V. BOHAYEVSKY (Ukraine) expressed concern about the arrangements for special economic assistance to countries which had experienced the negative economic consequences of sanctions imposed on the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia. The Secretary-General's report did not evaluate the effectiveness of joint efforts within the United Nations system or make recommendations of a universal nature on that matter. New and additional financial resources from all potential funding sources were necessary to address the economic problems of the affected States.

Although the sanctions had been lifted, their effects had not been eliminated or even mitigated, he said. The question of special economic assistance to the countries affected should remain on the United Nations agenda. Previous resolutions on the matter had not been duly implemented, at least with respect to Ukraine, which had not received adequate assistance to cover its tremendous losses.

There was also a need for a comprehensive methodology to evaluate the economic situation of non-target States so as to assess their losses, he said. His country had proposed specific elements for such a compensation mechanism. International financial institutions should open special credit lines to render direct financial assistance to third-party countries. Donor countries should introduce trade preference for third States and support investment in their economies.

In his country, such measures could be supplemented by reduced financial contributions for peace-keeping operations, and by introduction of a special regime for post-conflict reconstruction and development, he said. It would also be expedient to create a standing Security Council sanctions committee

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charged with such tasks as estimating the economic losses of the affected states and coordinating measures to minimize their effects.

He also expressed concern about problems caused by the Chernobyl disaster. There had been a lack of sufficient coordination in the efforts of the United Nations system in Chernobyl-related activities. Measures should be undertaken to develop long-term international cooperation in the second post- Chernobyl decade. Those problems had a global dimension and required special attention from the entire international community.

ABDULLAH AHMAD (Malaysia) said that despite the pledges of economic assistance for the Palestinian people, the situation on the ground must be kept in mind. Domestic unemployment had risen sharply because business, trade and commerce had no access to external markets. Early in September, the world had witnessed yet another spate of violence, brought about by Israel's provocative opening of a tunnel in the immediate vicinity of the Al-Aqsa Mosque. All planning would come to naught if the situation on the ground did not permit the quick and effective implementation of development projects.

The momentum towards a successful conclusion of the peace process in the Middle East must be maintained and pursued by all sides, he said. Any attempts to disrupt the peace process would only aggravate instability, to the detriment of Palestinian development and overall peace and stability of the region. Israel, too could not escape that; immediate implementation of the Middle East peace process was to Israel's advantage.

OSCAR A. AVALLE (Argentina) said the United Nations had a critical role to play in humanitarian aid. Argentina supported the Secretary-General's view that extreme poverty significantly increased social vulnerability. Combined with political fragility, it could easily lead to humanitarian catastrophe. In October 1993, Argentina had proposed the innovative idea that came to be known as the "white helmets". That initiative's political importance and its operative and financial viability had now been recognized by the Secretary- General.

He said the lessons learned in Haiti, Jamaica, Palestine, Lebanon, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Angola and Armenia had perfected the white helmet's deployment mechanism in emergency situations. Critical to that success was the assistance offered by Germany, France, Italy and Saudi Arabia. Argentina was now preparing to send a plane and contingent of "white helmets" to Africa's Great Lakes region, to collaborate with the United Nations there.

SOLIMAN AWAAD (Egypt) said his country's assistance to the Palestinian people was necessary because of the situation in the West Bank. After the election of the Palestinian Authority, Egypt had helped train the police officers who now formed the core of the Palestinian police. It had taken part in a wide range of activities involving the areas of nursing, medical

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services, and all kinds of economic projects. However, Egypt's role was not confined to assistance in kind. It was also prompting others to help the Palestinian Authority, so that people might realize its many dreams, including the dream of peace. He praised the role of such bodies such as the Department for Humanitarian Affairs, but stressed that coordination must be strengthened and coordinated. All the parties concerned had reaffirmed their commitment to Palestinian development efforts. The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) had taken commendable initiatives. The Palestinian people were now taking the first steps on the road to development. He urged the international community to fulfil their promises of assistance, for the achievement of that lofty objective. EVIATAR MANOR (Israel) said that Israel was fully aware of the importance of economic growth and prosperity to the political stability of the Middle East. It therefore supported the provision of substantial economic assistance to the Palestinians, which would help achieve a greater measure of peace and stability in the region. Israel had taken active steps to improve the economic and social conditions of the Palestinians. Donor countries were meeting this week in Paris, with Israel's active participation, to review the state of contributions to the Palestinians. He said Israel had been cooperating fully with various United Nations and other international organizations for many years, in implementing of programmes aimed at improving the living conditions of the Palestinian people in the West Bank and Gaza Strip. The United Nations should increase its efforts and funding to assist the Palestinians in the territories, thus facilitating implementation of the agreements signed by Israel and the Palestinians. MOHAMMED JASSIM SAMHAN AL-NUAIMI (United Arab Emirates) expressed appreciation for the humanitarian efforts of the United Nations and related bodies, especially in developing countries. He stressed the importance of strengthening coordination between the relevant international organizations, especially the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF), which had key roles to play in helping developing countries build their infrastructures.

He said the Emirates had worked to mobilize efforts in both the public and private sectors for humanitarian purposes. Persistent poverty, environmental deterioration and the failure to settle disputes according to the Charter principles had complicated conflict situations. That was evident in the former Yugoslavia, Afghanistan, Somalia and the Great Lakes region. A database was made to support prompt response to emergencies and humanitarian crises. On the question of Palestine, he said that statistical reports had shown a clear recession in the Palestine economy as a result of coercive measures taken by Israel. The Palestinian people were suffering from what constituted a blatant violation of the peace accords.

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MARWAN JILANI, observer for Palestine, said the economic situation and living conditions in the occupied Palestinian territory, including Jerusalem, had worsened over the past two years. The gross domestic product (GDP) dropped by nearly 9 per cent in 1995, and a 15 per cent drop was anticipated for 1996. While the per capita income of Palestinians had dropped from $2,600 to $1,800, it was approximately $16,000 in Israel. The Palestinian unemployment rate had reached 50 per cent, exports had dropped by 50 per cent, and the budget deficit of the Palestinian National Authority was increasing. International assistance had been offset by the Israeli policies and measures that had been the main cause of the deterioration of the situation.

He said Israel's closure of the Palestinian territory had obstructed freedom of movement of both persons and goods, and led to a dramatic fall in the number of Palestinians working in Israel, at a cost of some $7 million per day. The Israelis had also waged a campaign to obstruct any independent Palestinian franchising rights with foreign companies, essentially obstructing possible Palestinian joint ventures with foreign capital.

In spite of all difficulties, the Palestinian National Authority had been working very hard to improve the living conditions of its people, he said. The assistance efforts of the international community were greatly appreciated. In particular, the work of the United Nations Special Coordinator in the Occupied Territories had greatly enhanced the activities of the United Nations in the Palestinian territory.

JEAN-PAUL FALLET, observer for the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), said the main concerns with regard to humanitarian coordination were how best to serve the interests of victims and how best to use donor funding. The ICRC's practical approach to humanitarian coordination was guided by its focus on victims and by its own accountability to donors. Field coordination worked best when humanitarian organizations accepted a common set of ethical and operational standards, such as those laid down in the Code of Conduct for the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement and non- governmental organizations.

The United Nations system and the Department for Humanitarian Affairs deserved recognition for efforts in areas such as de-mining and information- gathering, he said. The work relating to anti-personnel land-mines was a commendable example of inter-agency cooperation. Some of the recent emergencies, such as those in Liberia, Burundi and now eastern Zaire, had underscored the importance of a clearly defined allocation of tasks between humanitarian organizations and regional political bodies. The international community sometimes appeared to push humanitarian agencies to the forefront, rather than seeking political solutions. It was important to enhance communication and consultation between the appropriate political bodies and humanitarian partners in emergency situations. The ICRC maintained regular

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bilateral contacts with the Security Council and major regional political and security organizations at the regional level.

Recent emergencies had again demonstrated that in many instances, the respective responsibilities of humanitarian agencies and political bodies must be more clearly defined, he said. They had also demonstrated that the necessary political and financial support for both sets of activities must be better ensured.

EIGIL PEDERSEN, observer for the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, said his organization was aware of the need to relate humanitarian work to wider economic, social and ecological concerns. Nevertheless, such a linkage could result in humanitarian organizations being pressured to compromise principles and standards in order to achieve worthwhile, but less certain, long-term benefits for populations. The need for agencies to have consistent high standards had been brought out in the evaluation of operations in the Great Lakes region in past years. That had led to the Code of Conduct that his organization developed in collaboration with a number of prominent international non-governmental organizations. As prevention and preparedness were the most effective ways of reducing conflict- induced human suffering, the International Federation welcomed the work aimed at developing early warning systems.

The development of local capacities to deal with difficulties was essential, he said. Local capacity must be built only by the local people, with outside agencies playing a supportive and facilitating role. International agencies must be more modest about their capacities for direct intervention, as well as their ability to build durable structures. The attention of the international community had been drawn more and more towards complex emergencies. While the International Federation had participated in the efforts to address those emergencies, other disasters, resulting from natural phenomena, continued to cause great suffering.

He said that improving the quality of humanitarian intervention, ensuring better coordination and achieving standards were important. However, those efforts were ultimately fruitless unless there was a will to make use of the available tools and to foster circumstances which permitted their use. Unless the international community was willing to deal with the problems which had caused such emergencies as that in the Great Lakes region, humanitarian agencies would be unable to fulfil their mandates. Indeed, they could contribute to the long-term worsening of the situation for those vulnerable populations they were created to assist.

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