International cooperation on humanitarian assistance in
the field of natural disasters, from relief to development
A/RES/70/107
Noting the determination of the Conference of the Parties to the United
Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, as expressed in its decision
2/CP.18, 3 to adopt a protocol, another legal instrument or an agreed outcome with
legal force under the Convention applicable to all parties at its twenty-first session,
held in Paris from 30 November to 11 December 2015, and for it to come into effect
and be implemented from 2020,
Emphasizing the fundamentally civilian character of humanitarian assistance,
reaffirming, in situations in which military capacity and assets are used as a last
resort to support the implementation of humanitarian assistance in the field of
natural disasters, the need for their use to be undertaken with the consent of the
affected State and in conformity with international law, including international
humanitarian law, as well as humanitarian principles, and emphasizing also in this
regard the need for Member States to coordinate with all relevant actors early on in
a disaster response so as to ensure the predictable, coherent and needs-based
deployment of military assets and personnel supporting humanitarian assistance,
Emphasizing also that the affected State has the primary responsibility in the
initiation, organization, coordination and implementation of humanitarian assistance
within its territory and in the facilitation of the work of humanitarian organizations
in mitigating the consequences of natural disasters,
Emphasizing further the primary responsibility of each State to undertake
disaster risk reduction and management, including through the implementation of
and follow-up to the Sendai Framework, as well as response and early recovery
efforts, in order to minimize the impact of disasters, while recognizing the
importance of international cooperation in support of the efforts of affected
countries which may have limited capacities in this regard,
Expressing its deep concern at the increasing challenges to Member States and
to the United Nations humanitarian response capacity to deal with the consequences
of natural disasters, given the effects of global challenges, including the impact of
climate change, the adverse impacts of the global financial and economic crisis and
volatile food prices on food security and nutrition, and other key factors that
exacerbate the vulnerability of populations and exposure to natural hazards and the
impact of natural disasters,
Expressing its deep concern also that rural and urban poor communities in the
developing world are the hardest hit by the effects of increased disaster risk,
Noting with concern that persons with disabilities, older persons, women and
children are disproportionately affected in natural disasters,
Acknowledging the impacts of rapid urbanization in the context of natural
disasters and that urban disaster preparedness and responses require appropriate
disaster risk reduction strategies, including in urban planning, and early recovery
strategies implemented from the initial stage of relief operations, as well as
mitigation, rehabilitation and sustainable development strategies, and that action by
humanitarian and development actors in urban areas needs to recognize the
complexity of cities and build urban resilience, with improved urban expertise and
capacities within organizations, while building on the capabilities, opportunities and
potential new partnerships present in urban settings,
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2/12
See FCCC/CP/2012/8/Add.1.