26 May 1987

14th Plenary Meeting

Assistance for reconstruction in Vanuatu

The Economic and Social Council,

Deeply concerned at the devastation caused to Vanuatu by cyclone Uma on 7 and 8 February 1987, which resulted in serious loss of life, destruction of housing and extensive damage to the economic and social infrastructure and to the agricultural, stock-farming, transport and industrial sectors,

Concerned at the serious impact of the damage on the economic and social development of Vanuatu,

Recalling that Vanuatu was included in the list of the least developed countries by the General Assembly in resolution 40/233 of 17 December 1985,

Noting with appreciation the emergency assistance provided by several States, international and regional organizations, specialized agencies, non-governmental organizations and voluntary agencies,

Noting the efforts of the people and Government of Vanuatu to deal with the emergency situation and to initiate a reconstruction and rehabilitation programme,

Affirming the need for prompt and concerted international action to assist the people and Government of Vanuatu in carrying out the reconstruction and rehabilitation of the regions and sectors affected by the cyclone,

Welcoming the intention of the Government of Vanuatu to act as host to a meeting of its development assistance partners in June 1987 to continue co-ordination of rehabilitation programmes,

1. Expresses its gratitude to the States, programmes and organizations of the United Nations system and to the intergovernmental, non-governmental and voluntary organizations that provided assistance to Vanuatu during the emergency;

2. Urges all States to participate generously through bilateral or multilateral channels in projects and programmes for the reconstruction and rehabilitation of Vanuatu;

3. Requests international organizations, in particular the appropriate organs and bodies of the United Nations system, regional organizations and voluntary agencies to continue and increase their assistance in response to the reconstruction, rehabilitation and development needs of Vanuatu;

4. Requests the Secretary-General, in accordance with the provisions of General Assembly resolution 41/192 of 8 December 1986, to take the necessary steps, in co-operation with the Administrator of the United Nations Development Programme, to mobilize the financial, technical and material assistance needed for implementing the reconstruction, rehabilitation and development programme of Vanuatu;

5. Also requests the Secretary-General to keep the question of assistance for the reconstruction and rehabilitation of Vanuatu under constant review and apprise the General Assembly at its forty-second session of the progress made in the implementation of the present resolution.