Statement by Ms Annette Ellis MP, Parliamentary Adviser to the Permanent Mission of Australia, to the United Nations General Assembly Plenary regarding strengthening of the coordination of emergency humanitarian assistance of the United Nations, delivered on 7 December 2009.
(as delivered)
Mr President,
As we near the fifth anniversary of the Indian Ocean tsunami of 26 December 2004, it is timely for us to consider the role of the United Nations in responding to natural disasters and complex emergencies.
Regrettably, the past year’s events have continued to demonstrate the vital need for international humanitarian assistance. Large numbers of people continue to be affected by natural disasters, continuing high food prices in many regions, escalating conflicts, and the impact of the global financial crisis on vulnerable communities, all demonstrate the need for a coordinated, effective and accountable international response.
Mr President, Australia recognises the link between climate change and the increased frequency and intensity of natural disasters. We have in recent months in the Philippines, Vietnam and El Salvador, seen clearly the devastating impact climate-related hazards can have on lives, livelihoods and developing economies. As we approach the five-year anniversary of the Hyogo Framework for Action, we urge all Member States and the greater international community to build on the existing knowledge and momentum for disaster risk reduction, to help meet the challenges of climate change.
The potential for disasters to recur in hazard prone regions that are made vulnerable by factors such as rapid urbanisation, poverty or environmental degradation, mean disaster risk reduction must be incorporated into humanitarian action and early recovery efforts. This will build the resilience and preparedness of communities and countries for the long term, and most vitally, support the realisation of the Millennium Development Goals.
Mr President, we are concerned at the increasing number of persons displaced due to conflict and natural hazards. We are staunch advocates of the Guiding Principles on Internal Displacement and welcome the recent adoption of the African Union Convention for the Protection and Assistance of Internally Displaced Persons. We consider this is a landmark Convention, which also demonstrates the leadership role regional organisations can play in addressing humanitarian issues.
Mr President, Australia gives high priority to ensuring that the needs of all persons affected by conflict and natural disaster are taken into account, including the needs of people with disability. With over 650 million people in the world living with a disability, we must ensure the world’s largest and most disadvantaged minority are included in all aspects of humanitarian policy, planning and implementation.
Mr President, we know also that women, girls, boys and men are affected differently by conflict and natural disasters. For a humanitarian response to be effective, it is imperative that a gender perspective is integrated into all aspects of the response. We also call for special attention to be given to ensuring that women have access to reproductive health services in emergency situations.
We further stress the importance of integrated measures, as part of humanitarian action, to prevent and respond to gender-based violence. The Gender Stand-by capacity project is an excellent example, and we encourage continued efforts to ensure that well-trained professionals with gender and gender-based violence expertise are deployed to humanitarian operations. We emphasise that protection activities are a critical and vital element of humanitarian response.
Australia continues to advocate for the full and effective implementation of Security Council resolution 1325 which, in addition to women’s protection, provides for women’s full and active participation in peace processes and peace-building. In this regard, we welcome the Security Council’s adoption of resolutions 1880 and 1889.
Mr President, Australia is deeply troubled by the increasing number of threats and violent attacks against humanitarian workers and their facilities. Such attacks have a devastating impact on the delivery of humanitarian assistance, ultimately preventing people from receiving the life-saving assistance they so critically need. This trend must be reversed. The need for all actors to respect the humanitarian principles of humanity, neutrality, impartiality and independence has never been greater.
In closing, Australia would like to acknowledge Under-Secretary-General Holmes, OCHA and the operational agencies of the UN for the vital role they play in humanitarian relief, and we express our appreciation for their unrelenting efforts to save lives and alleviate human suffering.
Thank you