9 February 1990

4th plenary meeting

1990/1.emergency assistance to samoa, american samoa, niue, tokelau,Tonga, Tuvalu, and Wallis and Futuna

The Economic and Social Council,

Deeply concerned at the devastation caused to Samoa, American Samoa, Niue, Tokelau, Tonga, Tuvalu, and Wallis and Futuna by cyclone "Ofa" from 2 to 6 February 1990, which resulted in loss of life, destruction of housing and extensive damage to economic and social infrastructure, as well as to agricultural, transport and industrial sectors,

Recalling General Assembly resolution 44/236 of 22 December 1989, by which it proclaimed the International Decade for Natural Disaster Reduction, beginning on 1 January 1990,

Recalling also General Assembly resolution 43/189 of 20 December 1988 on specific measures in favour of island developing countries,

Recalling further that Samoa and Tuvalu have been designated by the General Assembly as least developed countries,

Conscious of the efforts of the Governments concerned and the peoples of Samoa, American Samoa, Niue, Tokelau, Tonga, Tuvalu, and Wallis and Futuna to save lives and alleviate the sufferings of the victims of cyclone "Ofa",

Noting the enormous effort that will be required to alleviate the grave situation caused by this natural disaster,

Conscious also of the prompt response being made by Governments, the bodies and organizations of the United Nations system, international and regional agencies, non-governmental organizations and private individuals to provide relief to the affected countries and territories,

Recognizing that the magnitude of the disaster and its medium-term and long-term effects will require, as a complement to the efforts being made by the Governments concerned and the peoples of the affected countries and territories, a demonstration of international solidarity and humanitarian concern to ensure broad multilateral co-operation in meeting the immediate emergency situation in the affected areas and to initiate the process of reconstruction,

1. Expresses its solidarity and support to the Governments concerned and the peoples of Samoa, American Samoa, Niue, Tokelau, Tonga, Tuvalu, and Wallis and Futuna;

2. Expresses its appreciation to all members of the international community, international agencies and non-governmental organizations that are providing emergency relief to the affected countries and territories;

3. Urges all members of the international community to contribute generously to the relief, rehabilitation and reconstruction efforts in the affected countries and territories;

4. Requests the Secretary-General, in collaboration with the international financial institutions and the bodies and organizations of the United Nations system, to assist the Governments of the affected countries and territories in identifying the medium-term and long-term needs and in mobilizing resources, and to help with the task of reconstruction of the affected countries and territories being undertaken by their respective Governments;

5. Also requests the Secretary-General to report to the General Assembly at its forty-fifth session, through the Economic and Social Council at its second regular session of 1990, on the progress made in the implementation of the present resolution.