text: UNITED NATIONS A General Assembly ('., , >,! ~,,'~I,',',:. "..'Distr. GENERAL A/45/6 (Prog. 37) 8May1990 ORIGINAL: ENGLISH Forty-fifth session PROPOSED MEDIUM-TERM PLANFORTHEPERIOD 1992-1997* MAJOR PROGRAMME VII. HUMANRIGHTS, FUNDAMENTAL FREEDOMS ANDHUMANITARIAN AFFAIRS Programme 37.Disaster relief andmitigation, andspecial emergency programmes CONTENTS A.Programme I . 1.General orientation . 2.Overall strategy rI' . 3.Subprogramme structure andpriorities .•.•..•...•...... B.Subprogrammes . 1.Disaster relief co-ordination .•....................•.. 2.Disaster mitigation ..............•.................•.. 3.Disaster information ......•....•.........•..........•. 4.Special emergency programmes •.••.•.•..•.........•...•.Paragraphs Page 37.1-37.16 2 37.1-37.9 2 37.10-37.14 3 37.15-37.16 5 37.17-37.42 6 37.17-37.22 6 37.23-37.29 7 37.30-3"7.38 9 37.39 -37.42 11 *Thepresent document contains programme 37oftheproposed medium-term planfortheperiod 1992-1997. Thecomplete medium-term planwillsubsequently be issuedinfinalprinted formasOfficial Records oftheGeneral Assembly, Forty-fifth Session, Supplement No.6(A/45/6/Rev.l). 90-12030 1993a(E) I .•. Digitized by Dag Hammarskjöld LibraryPROGRAMME 37.DISASTER RELIEF ANDMITIGATION, ANDSPECIAL EMERGENCY PROGRAMMES A.Programme 1.General orientation 37.1Thegeneral mandate fortheprogramme derives fromtheCharter oftheUnited Nations, inparticular Articles 1and55,whichrefertointernational co-operation insolving problems ofaneconomic andhumanitarian character. 37.2Moredirectly, thelegislative authority ondisaster relief andmitigation derives fromGeneral Assembly resolution 2816(XXVI)of14December 1971,bywhich theAssembly established theOffice oftheUnited Nations Disaster Relief Co-ordinator andprovided itsbasictermsofreference, aswellassubsequent resolutions oftheAssembly andtheEconomic andSocial Council. Mostrecently, theAssembly adopted resolution 44/236 of22December 1989,bywhichitproclaimed the1990sastheInternational Decade forNatural Disaster Reduction andadopted theInternational Framework ofAction fortheDecade. 37.3Thelegislative authority forthespecial emergency programmes stemsfromthe resolutions adopted annually bytheGeneral Assembly, inwhichithasrequested the Secretary-General toco-ordinate theprovision ofhumanitarian aidandassistance toasubstantial number ofcountries inAfrica. Thoseprogrammes areusually called fororsetupinresponse tocomplex emergency situations thatinvolve multiple factors andinclude sensitive political issues andthatfrequently require theSecretary-General toco-ordinate therelated efforts oforganizations ofthe United Nations system andoforganizations outside thesystem. 37.4Theobjectives oftheprogramme are: (a)Toassist theauthorities ofdisaster-stricken countries withtheir national efforts; (b)Tomobilize, co-ordinate anddeliver international emergency assistance tovictims ofnatural disasters or ofotherdisorders caused bycivilstrife; (c)Toreduce through concerted international action, especially inthe developing countries, thelossoflife,property damage, andsocial andeconomic disruption caused bynatural disasters andothercalamities ofnatural origin. 37.5Disaster relief andmitigation arenotonlyfundamental humanitarian tasks aimedatassisting victims ofdisasters andatminimizing thelossoflifeand property, theyarealsoincreasingly recognized asimportant components ofoverall
analysis: This text appears to be related to humanitarian efforts and disaster relief, with a focus on coordinating international assistance and reducing the impact of natural disasters. The language used is formal and official, suggesting a United Nations document. The objectives of the program also imply a focus on human well-being and safety, rather than economic development or environmental conservation.