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, _______________ 3 2/12 See FCCC/CP/2012/8/Add.1.

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