A/RES/53/1 Page 2 Noting the appeal made by the Secretary-General to the international community for help and assistance for the flood-affected people of Bangladesh, Noting also the appeal to the international community made by the Prime Minister and the Government of Bangladesh to come forward with assistance in order to help the country to recover from the disastrous floods, 1. Expresses its solidarity with the Government and the people of Bangladesh, who are bravely facing the disaster; 2. Appeals to all Member States, specialized agencies and other organs and bodies of the United Nations system, as well as international financial institutions and non-governmental organizations, to respond urgently and generously in order to assist Bangladesh in its relief, rehabilitation and reconstruction efforts and programmes following the unprecedented calamity; 3. Expresses its gratitude to Member States, international organizations within and outside the United Nations system, non-governmental organizations and individuals and groups that have so generously assisted the Government of Bangladesh in its immediate relief and rehabilitation efforts; 4. Expresses its deep appreciation to the Secretary-General for the urgent steps he has taken to mobilize humanitarian assistance and to coordinate activities of the United Nations agencies in the field for purposeful and unified assistance by the international community, and requests him to continue these efforts through effective measures; 5. Requests the relevant organizations and bodies of the United Nations system and other multilateral organizations to take all necessary measures to provide support and assistance to Bangladesh in order to strengthen its capacity for disaster preparedness and prevention programmes and to implement its plans and programmes for seeking a long-term and effective solution to the problems caused by floods and other natural disasters. 23rd plenary meeting 1 October 1998 B EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE TO ANTIGUA AND BARBUDA, CUBA, THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC, HAITI AND ST. KITTS AND NEVIS The General Assembly, Recalling its resolutions 42/169 of 11 December 1987, 43/202 of 20 December 1988, 44/236 of 22 December 1989, 45/185 of 21 December 1990, 46/149 of 18 December 1991, 46/182 of 19 December 1991, 48/188 of 21 December 1993, 49/22 A of 2 December 1994, 49/21 P of 18 September 1995 and 52/169 A to M of 16 December 1997, Deeply distressed by the loss of life, the large number of afflicted people and the destruction wrought by hurricane Georges, which from 20 to 22 September 1998 devastated Antigua and Barbuda, Cuba, the Dominican Republic, Haiti, St. Kitts and Nevis and several other countries and Territories of the region, /...