Humanitarian Affairs Segment

Statement by Acting Permanent Representative of Pakistan, Ambassador Farukh Amil in the Humanitarian Affairs Segment of the Substantive Session of ECOSOC 2008

Mr. President

Distinguished delegates

  1. At the outset let me take this opportunity to felicitate Ambassador Park In-kook, Permanent Representative of the Republic of Korea, Vice Chair and other members of the bureau for successfully conducting the Segment. Under your stewardship we hope, the Member States would be able to engage constructively in the UN efforts to strengthen coordination of emergency humanitarian assistance.
  2. My delegation also aligns itself with the statement made by the representative of Antigua and Barbuda on behalf of the Group of 77 and China.
  3. I would also like to thank Mr. John Holmes, Under-Secretary General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, for his introduction of the Secretary-General's report on coordination of emergency humanitarian assistance of the United Nations.

Mr. President

  1. Successive reports of the Secretary General on this issue indicate the continuous importance and relevance of this topic to the increased incidence of humanitarian emergencies and the international response to them. The current report describes major humanitarian trends and challenges that have occurred during the past year and analyzes the implications of Climate Change and current global food crisis including natural disasters.
  2. The alarming increase in the number and scale of natural disasters, compounded by the climatic effects and soaring food prices in developing countries are growing challenges and source of deep concern. According to the report the largest driver of disasters, during past year was increased incidence and severity of extreme weather events, mostly associated with Climate Change.

Mr. President

  1. This year’s theme on capacity building at all levels for timely humanitarian assistance is pertinent in the context of increasing challenges to ensure rapid response. Natural disasters not only have an adverse impact on the economic and social development of the vulnerable, especially the poor but also impede progress towards development goals including the Millennium Development Goals in many countries.
  2. Therefore the provision of emergency assistance to an affected country should not be seen as an isolated mechanism in the overall effort of humanitarian assistance and development. There is a need to recognize the clear linkage between emergency assistance, rehabilitation and long term development as different stages of a coordinated effort. The emergency assistance should be provided in ways that facilitate the early recovery and long term development of the country concerned.
  3. It is also important that relevant organizations of the UN system and other humanitarian actors, engage with the relevant authorities, at the national and regional levels, to build strong capacities with a view to improving the overall adequacy, predictability, accountability and deployment of resources. Such cooperation is particularly relevant in strengthening capacities for disaster risk reduction and preparedness to enable developing countries to respond promptly to natural disasters.
  4. This year the Development Cooperation Forum, held its first meeting, marking a strengthened and revitalized ECOSOC in overseeing its coordination role in the UN system. We would wish to emphasize the specific role of ECOSOC in supervising the coordination of humanitarian assistance of the UN.

Mr. President

  1. Other than, operational aspects, normative principles of humanitarian assistance lie at the heart of the humanitarian response. Respect for sovereignty, territorial integrity and national unity of States must remain the overarching parameters in all efforts of providing and coordination of humanitarian assistance as enshrined in the GA Resolution 46/182. Pakistan also emphasizes that assistance should be based on actual needs and delivered by impartial and neutral actors while fully maintaining the civilian character of the humanitarian response.
  2. We should also recognize the primary role of the concerned State in the initiation, identification, coordination and delivery of such humanitarian assistance. Access of humanitarian personnel to the population in need is greatly linked with effective and timely coordination with national and local authorities present at the ground. Therefore any such assistance should be fully provided in conformity with humanitarian principles, in response to an appeal and with the consent of the affected State.

Mr. President

  1. In conclusion we would like to stress that more attention should be given to strengthening financial mechanisms for humanitarian assistance and to establish predictable and sustainable funding for all humanitarian emergencies, in particular the under-funded emergencies and under-resourced sectors. This is crucial to address funding gaps, especially for post-disaster recovery. We also commend the regular reporting, management and continuous contributions of Member States to the Central Emergency Response Fund and believe that the primary objective of the CERF should remain to provide vital assistance in the initial phase of an emergency.

I thank you Mr. President