22 July 1986

38th plenary meeting

Assistance to the drought-stricken areas of Djibouti, Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, the Sudan and Uganda

The Economic and Social Council,

Recalling General Assembly resolutions 35/90 and 35/91 of 5 December 1980, 36/221 of 17 December 1981, 37/147 of 17 December 1982, 38/216 of 20 December 1983, 39/205 of 17 December 1984 and 40/221 of 17 December 1985, and Economic and Social Council resolution 1983/46 of 28 July 1983 on assistance to the drought-stricken areas of Djibouti, Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, the Sudan and Uganda,

Having considered the report of the Secretary-General on assistance to the drought-stricken areas of those countries,

Deeply concerned at the serious effects of the prolonged and persistent drought in the region, which precipitated food shortages and famine and hindered the development efforts of the countries members of the Intergovernmental Authority on Drought and Development,

Stressing the need for practical regional arrangements for co-operation to promote the rehabilitation, recovery, and medium-term and long-term development of the countries of the region,

Appreciating the political will demonstrated by the countries members of the Intergovernmental Authority on Drought and Development to combat the effects of drought and other related natural disasters,

Bearing in mind the imperative need for the international community to render assistance to Member States in the event of natural disasters,

1. Reaffirms General Assembly resolutions 35/90, 35/91, 36/221, 37/147, 38/216, 39/205 and 40/221 and Council resolution 1983/46 on assistance to the drought-stricken areas of Djibouti, Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, the Sudan and Uganda;

2. Notes with appreciation the establishment of the Intergovernmental Authority on Drought and Development;

3. Commends the countries members of the Authority for the adoption of the development-oriented plan of action to tackle various aspects of drought and related problems;

4. Notes with appreciation the assistance provided by the Administrator of the United Nations Development Programme and by the United Nations Sudano-Sahelian Office in the effort to establish the Authority, in line with the recommendations of the Secretary-General and pursuant to the resolutions of the General Assembly mentioned above;

5. Calls upon donor Governments and international organizations to participate at the highest level in the conference of donors for the countries members of the Authority, to be held in Djibouti in November 1986;

6. Appeals to all Governments, organizations of the United Nations system and intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations to contribute generously so as to provide the resources necessary for funding the operational costs of the unit within the United Nations Sudano-Sahelian Office entrusted with the responsibility of assisting the countries members of the Authority and for the implementation of the projects and programmes in those countries, and requests the Administrator of the United Nations Development Programme to intensify his efforts in this regard;

7. Requests the Secretary-General to report to the Economic and Social Council at its second regular session of 1987 on the progress achieved in the implementation of the present resolution.