EU Presidency Statement - Humanitarian assistance

Mr Chairman,

1. I have the honour to speak on behalf of the European Union on the theme chosen for this humanitarian segment of the Economic and Social Council. The Central and Eastern European Countries associated with the European Union (Bulgaria, Czech republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia), the other associated countries (Cyprus, Malta and Turkey) and also Liechtenstein as a EFTA country, member of the European Economic Area, endorse this statement.

2. Since this is the third year of existence of the ECOSOC humanitarian segment, but also of the reform of the United Nations humanitarian sector initiated at the proposal of the Secretary-General, may I thank the Secretary-General and the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs for the work they have done. We are particularly grateful for the full report, accompanied by a series of detailed recommendations, which has been submitted for discussion. These respond to the tasks of information, advocacy and improvement of coordination of United Nations humanitarian assistance, which have been entrusted to the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs.

3. The progress made in accomplishing these vital tasks deserves to be maintained and continued. The report submitted to us unfortunately refers to an increase in the number and scale of complex emergencies, due to the emergence or continuation of conflicts and new natural catastrophes striking throughout the world. We strongly urge the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs to continue its task of advocacy and information vis-à-vis the major United Nations bodies - the Security Council, the General Assembly and ECOSOC in particular- and all the Member States, especially those countries affected by these situations and the donor countries. These situations are a real challenge to our governments and to humanitarian bodies and each one must be reminded of its responsibility in meeting that challenge.

4. The European Union, as a major contributor to humanitarian aid, especially through the activities of the European Commission's Office for Humanitarian Aid, welcomes the efforts made to improve coordination of the humanitarian response, in particular the rationalisation achieved through agreements between agencies both at headquarters and in the field. We call on the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs and, within it, the Secretariat of the Inter-Agency Standing Committee and of the Executive Committee for Humanitarian Affairs to develop the coordination instruments concerned, such as the "strategic frameworks". We call on other humanitarian bodies, and especially non-governmental organisations, as far a possible, to join in the coordination efforts within the United Nations. We recognise the substantial contribution of these organisations to humanitarian activities and would like to pay homage in particular to the association Médecins sans Frontières, which received the Nobel Peace Prize.

Mr Chairman,

5. One of the United Nations' main instruments of coordination is the Inter-Agency Consolidated Appeals Process. The planning of needs and the sharing of tasks between the various humanitarian bodies are of major importance for the operational implementation of assistance. We call on all organisations to take an active part in them. The process should benefit from a greater ordering of priorities and perhaps from innovatory approaches, so as to ensure that all vital needs and all humanitarian situations are covered, from both a geographical and sectoral point of view.

6. The European Union will of course continue to play its part in responding to these appeals. The United Nations should also continue the quest to enlarge its traditional donor base, particularly in the direction of the private sector. We welcome, on this occasion, the first agreement of this kind concluded with the private sector, for the improvement of communications in emergency situations.

7. One of the vital aspects of humanitarian assistance - i.e. the security of the staff supplying it - has been integrated into the Consolidated Appeals Process and should thus be reinforced. Such security cannot be guaranteed without safe and unimpeded access to all the populations affected. We call on all the parties concerned to fulfil their obligations and to cooperate with the United Nations and the other relevant organisations, so that aid may be provided in a spirit of humanity, neutrality, impartiality, independence and universality, in accordance with the principles of humanitarian assistance and international humanitarian law. We also call on States to accede to the Convention on the Safety of United Nations and Associated Personnel, to sign and ratify as soon as possible the Rome Statute setting up the International Criminal Court, and the Optional Protocol on the Convention on the Rights of the Child concerning the participation of children in armed conflicts, in order to increase the protection of populations and to end serious violations of international humanitarian law.

8. Finally, the capacity for response and coordination of activities calls for stable, permanent staff who are available and trained, as well as adequate procedures. It is unsatisfactory that the operation of the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs is not covered for the most part by the United Nations' regular budget. When short or long term missions have to be conducted in the field, the inadequacy of resources and staff too often results in inability to carry out fully the tasks of coordination, analysis, forecasting and information at headquarters or in other countries. We would also call on the Secretary-General to establish, with the appropriate departments, specific administrative procedures and rules for staff recruitment and humanitarian supplies.

We also await with interest the report to be submitted to us shortly by the Secretary-General on the Central Emergency Revolving Fund (CERF) and the extension of its use to natural disasters.

Mr Chairman,

9. Technical and technological advances must be used for the prevention and mitigation of natural disasters, which are also human disasters, whilst ensuring that the new techniques and technologies do not themselves lead to further large-scale damage.

10. From this point of view, it is up to us to find the best possible use for the tools which may be available: the tools in question are, in the first place, technologies such as the geographical information system and the global positioning system which allow for improved identification of sites, risks and damage. Better use should also be made of communication tools to enable immediate dissemination of information and networking of those operating in the humanitarian sector. Rapid and efficient communications constitute an important aid to governments and humanitarian organisations, but also to the communities affected. In this context, the European Union welcomes the outcome of the Third United Nations Conference on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space "Unispace III".

The Secretary-General's report contains important recommendations concerning compatibility and complementarity of technological standards and for the suspension of restrictions on the use of technological resources in the event of a humanitarian emergency, in accordance with the Tampere Convention, to which we call on States to accede.

11. With all these factors underlining once again the crucial importance of prevention and coordination, we wish to stress in this respect the vital role of the task-force and of the Secretariat of the International Strategy for Disaster Reduction, which we hope will become operational as soon as possible and will perform its task in full by involving all the agencies, organisations and bodies concerned.

Mr Chairman,

12. Prevention and coordination are also important in other humanitarian situations. Conflict situations have worsened this year throughout the world. 90% of victims are now civilians, especially women and children, who are deliberately targeted although they are entitled to protection. The number of persons displaced within their own country is increasing dramatically and is now almost twice the figure for refugees. Although refugees are entitled to special status and international assistance, the State concerned has primary responsibility for protecting and guaranteeing the rights of internally displaced persons. The extent and diversity of the humanitarian needs of the populations concerned, which cannot always be catered for by the communities taking them in - to which all due credit must be given for the solidarity displayed - must not meet with an inadequate or disorganised response.

13. That is why the European Union welcomes the broad discussions held over the past few months within the Inter-Agency Standing Committee and within the agencies themselves, which have led to an arrangement, between them and within their respective terms of reference, to remedy these shortcomings in coordination. We can but support the strengthening of the central role of the Emergency Relief Coordinator as a "focal point" between the organisations and, in the field, the increase in responsibility of the Humanitarian/Resident Coordinator for planning and implementation of the humanitarian response according to specific needs, in consultation with the authorities of the country concerned. It is also their task, during such contacts with the authorities responsible and in conjunction with the efforts of the Secretary-General's Special Representative and the other competent United Nations bodies, to ensure that provision can be made to meet all the needs and safeguard all the rights of the populations concerned.

14. In this respect, the European Union wishes to pay special homage to the considerable efforts of the Secretary-General's Special Representative for Internally Displaced Persons, particularly his essential work of advocacy, which deserves greater support.

Similarly, we welcome the interest shown within several intergovernmental regional organisations in compliance with the international standards, referred to in the "guiding principles on crises of internal displacement" applicable to such persons, and their implementation by agencies in accordance with the recommendations addressed to them by the Member States.

15. There should not be any forgotten emergencies or victims.

The integration into Consolidated Appeals of measures of assistance to displaced persons beside the other populations affected by emergencies should help to remedy this situation. Such a collaborative approach will make it possible to ensure that all needs are covered and that roles and responsibilities are better defined. It must also aim at seeking lasting solutions, in particular those conducive to the voluntary return of displaced persons.

16. Allow me to conclude, Mr Chairman, by expressing the hope that this humanitarian segment will help to reinforce the efforts to coordinate humanitarian aid undertaken by the United Nations, in keeping with its mission, for the greatest benefit of the populations concerned.

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