UNGA 59 RESUMED SESSION
18 January 2005
Item 39: Strengthening of the coordination of humanitarian and disaster relief assistance of the United Nations, including special economic assistance
Resolution “Strengthening emergency relief, rehabilitation, reconstruction
and prevention in the aftermath of the Indian Ocean tsunami disaster”
Statement by H.E. Mr Peter Tesch
Ambassador and Deputy Permanent Representative
Australian Mission to the United Nations
(Check against delivery)
Mr President let me begin by first reiterating the Australian Government’s deepest condolences to all those affected by the earthquake and tsunamis that struck the Indian Ocean region on 26 December.
I would also like to express our appreciation for the ASEAN initiative of proposing this UNGA resolution on the tsunami disaster and response. It is important that we recognize and discuss this issue in the General Assembly. We are pleased to be co-sponsoring the resolution.
Mr President,
Australia commends and strongly supports the leadership role that affected countries have played in the response to this disaster. Excellent regional cooperation swung into action after the tsunami, the international community’s response deserves high praise, but we would equally like to pay tribute to the way the countries of the region, ASEAN and others, have come together in their response to the tsunami.
We would also commend the role the United Nations is playing in the coordination of international assistance to tsunami-affected countries. Agencies like UNICEF and WFP are also playing an important role in the delivery of emergency relief. We are strongly supportive of the UN’s coordination role in the emergency response and would particularly like to recognize the role that Jan Egeland, Emergency Relief Coordinator and head of OCHA, has played.
Mr President,
Australia’s assistance to the tsunami disaster has been immediate, generous, closely coordinated with the national capacities in the tsunami-affected communities, and targeted to priority needs. It is a clear reflection of our commitment to the Asia region.
The Australian Government has provided A$60 million for emergency relief across the region, funding direct support by Australians sent to the affected areas, as well as the activities of UN agencies, NGOs and international organizations such as the ICRC.
In addition to the immediate emergency assistance we have provided and continue to provide, the Australian Government has announced a A$1 billion 5-year Australia-Indonesia Partnership for Reconstruction and Development. This program will assist Indonesia to recover from the devastating impact of the tsunami and is the biggest single aid package in Australia’s history. It recognizes that the emergency relief is just the tip of the iceberg of the true impact of this disaster. The recovery process, the rehabilitation and reconstruction work will take many years and cost many billions of dollars.
Another component of our response is the assistance being provided directly by the Australian Defence Forces and Australian Federal Police. They have fielded relief teams to assist with medical and victim identification services.
Mr President,
I think it is also important to highlight the response from the Australian public and private sector. As is happening the world over, the people of Australia are expressing their sympathy and their support for those affected by the tsunami disaster. To date the Australian public has contributed some A$190 million to the relief and rebuilding effort. A national day of mourning was observed across Australia on 16 January and, here in New York, a relief concert will be held next week on 26 January – coincidentally, the national day of India, one of the effected countries, and Australia – to help raise funds for the victims of the tragedy.
Mr President,
In addition to responding to the relief, reconstruction and rehabilitation needs, a key element of the resolution that we are adopting today is about better systems for warning of such disasters, for preparing for their impact and for mitigating the damage they do. We stand ready to help the region take forward efforts to prepare for, mitigate against and respond to, future disasters.
Thank you