26 May 1987

14th Plenary Meeting

Assistance to Ecuador

The Economic and Social Council,

Stressing the need for the international community to take measures to provide effective assistance for the reconstruction and development of Member States that have suffered natural disasters, in accordance with the spirit and the letter of the relevant resolutions of the General Assembly, inter alia, resolutions 36/225 of 17 December 1981 and 38/202 of 20 December 1983,

Deeply concerned at the devastation caused by the earthquakes of 5 and 6 March 1987 in Ecuador, which resulted in widespread loss of life, as well as of goods and services,

Noting the report of the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean entitled "The natural disaster of March 1987 in Ecuador and its effects on economic and social development", in which it was stated that the country would not be in a position to meet reconstruction needs by itself,

Noting with satisfaction the efforts of the people and Government of Ecuador to alleviate the adverse effects of the disaster on the well-being, health and economy of the population affected and to meet the reconstruction requirements of the regions and services destroyed,

1. Expresses its appreciation to the Secretary-General for the efforts made to provide prompt assistance to Ecuador;

2. Expresses its appreciation to States and organizations of the United Nations system, and intergovernmental, non-governmental and voluntary organizations for their timely assistance;

3. Calls upon all States to participate fully through projects and programmes for the reconstruction and rehabilitation of the areas affected by the earthquakes;

4. Requests the Secretary-General to adopt, in accordance with the evaluation of the disaster made by the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean, such measures as he deems appropriate to increase the necessary financial, technical and material assistance for programmes for the reconstruction and rehabilitation of the areas affected by the earthquakes;

5. Requests the appropriate organizations of the United Nations system and the competent intergovernmental, regional and voluntary organizations to maintain and increase their participation in the reconstruction and rehabilitation programmes;

6. Also requests the Secretary-General to submit to the General Assembly at its forty-second session a report on the programmes carried out and the assistance provided in implementation of the present resolution.