17 May 1984

Meeting 15

Emergency assistance to the drought victims in Djibouti

The Economic and Social Council,

Having heard the statement made by the representative of Djibouti on the distressing situation of the victims of the prolonged drought in that country,

Deeply concerned at the distressing emergency situation of the victims of the drought in Djibouti,

Aware of the adverse effects of the prolonged drought on the economic and social development of Djibouti,

Aware also of the regional character of the drought currently prevailing in the countries of East Africa,

Appreciating the unremitting efforts being made by the Government of Djibouti to meet the growing needs of the victims of the drought, in spite of the slenderness of its economic resources,

Recalling the resolutions adopted by the General Assembly and the Economic and Social Council on assistance in cases of natural disaster, in particular Assembly resolutions 2816(XXVI) of 14 December 1971 and 2959(XXVII) of 12 December 1972,

1. Takes note of the statement made by the representative of Djibouti on the critical situation of the victims of the drought in that country;

2. Appreciates the assistance provided to date by Member States, United Nations organizations and intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations to the relief programme for the victims of drought in Djibouti;

3. Appeals to Member States, international, governmental and non-governmental organizations and the specialized agencies to contribute generously to help the populations affected by drought in Djibouti by providing, as a matter of urgency, financial, material and technical assistance;

4. Requests the Secretary-General to send to Djibouti, as a matter of urgency, after consultation with the Government of Djibouti, an inter-agency mission with the task, in particular, of making a study of the situation in the drought-stricken areas of the country and evaluating the short-term, medium-term and long-term needs of the Government in the face of that situation, and to report to the General Assembly at its thirty-ninth session, through the Economic and Social Council at its second regular session of 1984, on the results of that mission and on the progress achieved in the implementation of the present resolution.