International cooperation on humanitarian assistance in the field of natural disasters, from relief to development A/RES/74/115 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, including preparedness, and disaster risk management, including through the voluntary 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 and build resilience, while recognizing the importance of international cooperation in support of the efforts of affected countries which may have limited capacities in this regard, Recalling the Bangkok Principles for the implementation of the health aspects of the Sendai Framework as a contribution to the Sendai Framework to build resilient health systems, Recognizing the primary role of Member States in preparing for and responding to outbreaks of infectious disease, including those that become humanitarian crises, in compliance with the International Health Regulations (2005) adopted by the World Health Assembly, 7 highlighting the critical role played by Member States, the World Health Organization as the directing and coordinating authority on international health work, the United Nations humanitarian system, regional organizations, non-governmental organizations, the private sector and other humanitarian actors in providing financial, technical and in-kind support in order to bring epidemics or pandemics under control, and recognizing also the need to strengthen local and national health systems, early reporting and early warning systems, preparedness, cross-sectoral response capacities, and resilience linked to outbreaks of infectious disease, including through capacity-building for developing countries, 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 women, persons with disabilities, older persons, children and youth are often disproportionately affected in natural disasters, and stressing the need to ensure that their specific needs are identified and addressed in emergency preparedness and response, Acknowledging the impacts of rapid urbanization in the context of natural disasters and the adverse effects of climate change and that urban disaster preparedness and responses require appropriate disaster risk reduction strategies, including in urban planning, early action, rapid response and early recovery strategies implemented from the initial stage of relief operations, as well as mitigation, rehabilitation and sustainable development strategies, giving special attention to the __________________ 7 19-22032 World Health Organization, document WHA58/2005/REC/1, resolution 58.3, annex. 3/16