United Nations
General Assembly
A/RES/58/24
Distr.: General
26 January 2004
Fifty-eighth session
Agenda item 40 (b)
Resolution adopted by the General Assembly on 5 December 2003
[without reference to a Main Committee (A/58/L.22 and Add.1)]
58/24. Emergency humanitarian assistance to Ethiopia
The General Assembly,
Recalling its resolution 57/149 of 16 December 2002 on emergency
humanitarian assistance to Ethiopia,
Noting with concern the recurrent drought that affects Ethiopia, and its
consequences,
Recalling the initiatives of the Secretary-General to improve food security,
including the appointment of the Special Envoy for the Humanitarian Crisis in the
Horn of Africa,
Gravely concerned at the magnitude of the recurrent drought, which affects
millions owing to the serious crop failures in drought-prone parts of the country that
have weak infrastructures and low development capacities,
Bearing in mind the joint 2004 appeal of the United Nations and the
Government of Ethiopia for emergency assistance for Ethiopia, to respond to the
food and non-food requirements of households in need so as to prevent the
worsening of the current humanitarian crisis,
Noting with serious concern the significant and persistent humanitarian needs
in such areas as health, water and acute malnutrition that still exist in parts of the
country,
Noting also with serious concern the dire humanitarian situation and its longterm socio-economic and environmental impacts,
Emphasizing the need to address the crisis, bearing in mind the importance of
the transition from relief to development, and acknowledging the underlying
structural causes of recurrent drought in Ethiopia,
Recognizing that the main responsibility for improving the humanitarian
situation and creating conditions for long-term development lies with the
Government of Ethiopia, while bearing in mind the important role played by the
international community,
Emphasizing the importance of establishing a strong early warning system in
order to predict better and respond as early as possible to disasters and to minimize
their consequences,
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