Emergency assistance to Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Panama and other countries affected by hurricane Joan : resolution / adopted by the General Assembly

The General Assembly,

Recalling its resolutions 42/169 of 11 December 1987 on an international decade for natural disaster reduction and 35/56 of 5 December 1980, the annex to which contains the International Development Strategy for the Third United Nations Development Decade,

Deeply concerned by the large number of afflicted persons and also by the destruction caused by hurricane Joan, which between 22 and 25 October 1988 struck Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Panama and other countries of the region,

Aware of the efforts of the Governments and peoples of the region to save lives and alleviate the suffering of the victims of hurricane Joan,

Aware also of the enormous effort that will be required to alleviate the grave situation caused by this natural disaster,

Welcoming the prompt response of the Governments, the organs, organizations and specialized agencies of the United Nations system and also of the international and regional agencies, the non-governmental organizations and the private individuals that are providing emergency relief,

Recognizing that the magnitude of the disaster and its medium- and long-term effects will require, as a complement to the efforts being made by the peoples and Governments of Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Panama and other countries of the region, a demonstration of international solidarity and humanitarian concern to trigger broad multilateral co-operation in order to meet the immediate emergency situation in the affected areas and initiate the process of reconstruction,

1.         Expresses its solidarity and support to Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Panama and other countries of the region affected by the natural disaster;

2.         Expresses its gratitude to all the States of the international community, the international agencies and the non-governmental organizations that are providing emergency relief to the affected countries;

3.         Urges all the States of the international community, as a matter of urgency, to contribute generously to the relief, rehabilitation and reconstruction efforts in the affected areas;

4.         Expresses its appreciation to the Secretary-General for the steps taken to co-ordinate and mobilize the relief, rehabilitation and reconstruction efforts;

5.         Requests the Secretary-General, in close collaboration with the Governments of Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Panama and the affected countries of the region, and the international financial institutions, organs, organizations and specialized agencies of the United Nations system to assist those countries in mobilizing the additional financial resources necessary for the implementation of the medium- and long-term plans and programmes of rehabilitation and reconstruction.