Emergency assistance to Costa Rica and Panama : resolution / adopted by the General Assembly

The General Assembly,

Recalling its resolution 42/169 of 11 December 1987 on an international decade for natural disaster reduction,

Deeply concerned about the large number of afflicted persons and also by the destruction caused by the recent earthquake on 22 April 1991, which struck Costa Rica and Panama,

Aware of the efforts of the Governments and peoples of the region to save lives and alleviate the suffering of the victims of the earthquake,

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

Welcoming the prompt response of the Governments, organs, organizations and specialized agencies of the United Nations system and also of the international and regional agencies, the non-governmental organizations and private individuals that are providing emergency relief,

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 peoples and the Governments of Costa Rica and Panama, a demonstration of international solidarity and humanitarian concern to trigger broad multilateral cooperation in order to meet the immediate emergency situation in the affected areas and initiate the process of reconstruction,

1.         Expresses its solidarity and support to the Governments and peoples of Costa Rica and Panama;

2.         Expresses its gratitude to all the States, international agencies and non-governmental organizations that are providing emergency relief to the affected countries;

3.         Urges all the States, as a matter of urgency, to contribute generously to the relief, rehabilitation and reconstruction efforts in the affected area;

4.         Expresses its appreciation to the Secretary-General for the steps taken to coordinate and mobilize the relief and rehabilitation efforts;

5.         Requests the Secretary-General, in close collaboration with the Governments of Costa Rica and Panama, and the international financial institutions, and the bodies and agencies of the United Nations system, to assist those countries in mobilizing the additional financial resources necessary for the implementation of the medium-term and long-term plans and programmes of rehabilitation and reconstruction.