United Nations
A/RES/59/217
General Assembly
Distr.: General
8 February 2005
Fifty-ninth session
Agenda item 39 (b)
Resolution adopted by the General Assembly on 22 December 2004
[on the report of the Second Committee (A/59/479 and Corr.1)]
59/217. Humanitarian assistance and rehabilitation for Ethiopia
The General Assembly,
Recalling its resolution 58/24 of 5 December 2003 on emergency humanitarian
assistance to Ethiopia,
Recalling also the initiatives of the Secretary-General to improve food
security, including the appointment of the Special Envoy for the Humanitarian
Crisis in the Horn of Africa,
Concerned by the recurrent drought, which still affects millions owing to the
serious crop failures in drought-prone parts of the country and the pastoralist areas
that have weak infrastructures and low development capacities,
Bearing in mind the joint 2005 appeal of the United Nations and the
Government of Ethiopia for emergency assistance for Ethiopia, to respond to the
food and non-food requirements of households in need so as to prevent the
worsening of the current humanitarian crisis,
Noting with serious concern the significant and persistent humanitarian needs
in such areas as health, water and acute malnutrition that still exist in parts of the
country,
Noting also with serious concern the dire humanitarian situation and its longterm socio-economic and environmental impacts,
Recognizing that the persistent problem of food insecurity is linked to
inadequate progress in achieving and sustaining rural growth at levels required to
build the household and community assets needed to manage through the various
shocks that induce food crises,
Emphasizing the need to address the crisis, bearing in mind the importance of
the transition from relief to development, and acknowledging the underlying
structural causes of recurrent drought in Ethiopia,
Recognizing that the main responsibility for improving the humanitarian
situation and creating conditions for long-term development lies with the
Government of Ethiopia, while bearing in mind the important role played by the
international community,
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