A/RES/58/25
Taking into account the outcome of the Second International Conference on
Early Warning, held in Bonn, Germany, from 16 to 18 October 2003, under the
auspices of the United Nations,
Noting the critical role played by local resources, as well as by existing incountry capacities, in natural disaster response,
Recognizing the significant role played by national Red Cross and Red
Crescent societies in disaster preparedness and risk reduction, disaster response,
rehabilitation and development,
Emphasizing the importance of raising awareness among developing countries
of the capacities existing at the national, regional and international levels that could
be deployed to assist them,
Emphasizing also the importance of international cooperation in support of the
efforts of the affected States in dealing with natural disasters in all their phases,
including prevention, preparedness, mitigation and recovery and reconstruction, and
of strengthening the response capacity of affected countries,
Welcoming the efforts of Member States, with facilitation by the Office for the
Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs of the Secretariat, and in cooperation with the
International Search and Rescue Advisory Group, to improve efficiency and
effectiveness in the provision of international urban search and rescue assistance,
and in this context noting its resolution 57/150 of 16 December 2002 entitled
“Strengthening the effectiveness and coordination of international urban search and
rescue assistance”,
Encouraging, in this regard, efforts aiming at the strengthening of the
International Search and Rescue Advisory Group and its regional groups,
particularly through the participation in its activities of representatives of a larger
number of countries,
Mindful of the effects that shortfalls in resources can have on the preparedness
for and response to natural disasters, and underscoring, in this regard, the need to
gain a more precise understanding of the impact of levels of funding on natural
disaster response,
Underlining the need for further improvement in information and analyses
available regarding needs, responses and funding related to natural disasters,
1.
Takes note of the reports of the Secretary-General entitled “International
cooperation on humanitarian assistance in the field of natural disasters, from relief
to development” 1 and “Strengthening the coordination of emergency humanitarian
assistance of the United Nations”; 2
2.
Expresses its deep concern at the number and scale of natural disasters
and their increasing impact, resulting in massive losses of life and property
worldwide, in particular in vulnerable societies lacking adequate capacity to
mitigate effectively the long-term negative social, economic and environmental
consequences of natural disasters;
Calls upon all States to adopt, where required, and to continue to
3.
implement effectively necessary legislative and other appropriate measures to
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1
2
2
A/58/434.
A/58/89-E/2003/85.