United Nations General Assembly A/RES/56/99 Distr.: General 31 January 2002 Fifty-sixth session Agenda item 20 (a) Resolution adopted by the General Assembly [without reference to a Main Committee (A/56/L.14 and Add.1)] 56/99. Emergency response to disasters The General Assembly, Reaffirming its resolution 46/182 of 19 December 1991 on the strengthening of the coordination of emergency humanitarian assistance of the United Nations, including the guiding principles of humanitarian assistance contained therein, Recalling its resolutions 44/236 of 22 December 1989, 54/30 of 22 November 1999 and 54/219 of 22 December 1999, Welcoming the International Strategy for Disaster Reduction, Deeply concerned by the fact that natural disasters in every corner of the globe continue to claim high numbers of casualties and cause immense material damage and that the frequency and magnitude of these catastrophes place an ever-increasing material and moral burden on nations, Reiterating the importance of mounting prompt and effective relief operations in the aftermath of such deadly calamities in the future, Welcoming the ongoing efforts, led by the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs of the Secretariat, aimed at promoting preparedness for disaster response at the international, regional and national levels, including, in collaboration with the International Search and Rescue Advisory Group, initiatives to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of international urban search and rescue assistance in the aftermath of natural disasters, 1. Expresses its solidarity with the peoples of the countries that have been struck by natural calamities as they cope with the consequences of these disasters; 2. Expresses its appreciation to all States of the international community, international agencies and organizations and non-governmental organizations and individuals that are providing emergency relief to the areas affected by natural disasters; 3. Notes with satisfaction the progress achieved by the Governments of Turkey and Greece, in cooperation with the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs of the Secretariat, on the formation of a joint Hellenic-Turkish standby disaster response unit, which will be operational in the near future, with no financial implications for the programme budget of the United Nations; 01 47987

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