SECRETARY-GENERAL DEEPLY SADDENED AT DEATHS OF UNITED NATIONS TEAM MEMBERS IN HELICOPTER ACCIDENT IN MONGOLIA

SECRETARY-GENERAL DEEPLY SADDENED AT DEATHS OF UNITED NATIONS TEAM MEMBERS

IN HELICOPTER ACCIDENT IN MONGOLIA

The following statement was issued by the Spokesman for Secretary-General Kofi Annan on 14 January:

The Secretary-General was deeply saddened to learn of the tragic helicopter accident today in the Mongolian province of Uvs.  The crash claimed the lives of nine persons, and injured another 14, as they were on route to conduct a rapid assessment of emergency needs in response to the Government’s urgent request for assistance following severe freeze, snow and drought (“dzud”) conditions.  Among those who died were members of the United Nations Disaster Assessment and Coordination team from the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) and the United Nations Population Fund, as well as a disaster management expert provided by the Government of the United Kingdom.

The Secretary-General extends his deepest condolences to the Government of Mongolia and to the families of the victims of this tragic accident.  He wishes to thank the Government of Mongolia for having taken immediate steps to evacuate and provide medical assistance to those injured in the crash.  He has requested the Emergency Relief Coordinator, a.i., Carolyn McAskie, to join the Government and the team on the ground in Ulaan Bataar tomorrow.  He assures the Government that the United Nations will continue in its efforts to help the people of Mongolia.

The Secretary-General salutes the dedication of the members of the United Nations Disaster Assessment and Coordination team, women and men who are both United Nations system staff members and volunteer experts from Member States.

He calls on the international community to respond generously to the appeal for assistance that the United Nations will make shortly, together with the Government of Mongolia.

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