Implementation of the mediun-term and long-term recovery and rehabilitation programme in the Sudano-Sahelian region and urgent measures to be taken on behalf of the region.

32. RESOLUTIONS ADOPTED ON THE REPORTS OF THE SECOND COMMITTEE*
159. Implementation of the medium-term and long-term recovery and rehabilitation programme in the Sudano-Sahelian region and urgent measures to be taken on behalf of the region

The General Assembly, Recalling its resolutions 2816 (XXVI) of 14 December 1971, 2959 (XXVII) of 12 December 1972 and 3054 (XXVIII) of 17 October 1973, Recalling further its resolutions 3253 (XXIX) of 4 December 1974, 3512 (XXX) of 15 December 1975 and 31/180 of 21 December 1976 and Economic and Social Council resolutions 1918 (LVIII) of 5 May 1975 and 2103 (LXIII) of 3 August 1977, Taking note of the decision of 27 June 1977 of the Governing Council of the United Nations Development Programme[1] concerning the implementation of the medium-term and long-term recovery and rehabilitation programme in the Sudano-Sahelian region, Deeply concerned at the magnitude of the effects of the new drought prevailing in the Sudano-Sahelian region and, in particular, at the serious shortage of food and the livestock losses, Taking note of the declaration adopted by the Council of Ministers of the Permanent Inter-State Committee on Drought Control in the Sahel at its special session held at Niamey on 26 and 27 October 1977, Mindful of the fact that the transport problem, particularly the state of the infrastructure and the inadequacy of the present capacities, constitutes a major obstacle for the countries of the region, Noting the measures taken by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations and the World Food Programme to establish large stockpiles of food in the ports of the Sudano-Sahelian region, Noting the individual and collective efforts made by States members of the Permanent Inter-State Committee on Drought Control in the Sahel, Noting with satisfaction the decisive role played by the United Nations Sahelian Office, on the one hand, implement the priority medium-term and long-term recovery and rehabilitation programme adopted by the States members of the Permanent Inter-State Committee on Drought Control in the Sahel, and, on the other hand, in mobilizing the necessary resources to finance priority projects, Taking note of the expansion of the recovery and rehabilitation programme in the Sahel as a result of the adoption by the Council of Ministers of the Permanent Inter-State Committee on Drought Control in the Sahel, meeting at Ouagadougou from 25 to 28 April 1977, of the drought control and development strategy and programme for the Sahel, Considering that the nature and magnitude of the needs of the countries of the Sudano-Sahelian region, which are among the least developed countries, make it necessary for the international community to continue and to strengthen its action of solidarity in support of the recovery efforts and economic development of those countries, Having considered the reports of the Secretary-General on the implementation of the medium-term and long-term recovery and rehabilitation programme in the Sudano-Sahelian region,[2]

I EMERGENCY MEASURES

1. Urges Governments, United Nations agencies and intergovernmental organizations to respond immediately to the appeal made by the Council of Ministers of the Permanent Inter-State Committee on Drought Control in the Sahel at its special session held at Niamey, in particular by taking emergency measures to meet the requirements for food aid specified in the declaration adopted at Niamey;

2. Calls upon Member States, donor agencies and the competent United Nations agencies to employ special procedures for the transport of this aid and to inform the World Food Programme thereof so that it may co-ordinate shipments to the affected regions;

3. Invites Member States, donor agencies and the competent United Nations agencies to dispatch any evaluation missions required for the purpose of determining accurately the exact requirements of each of the countries concerned;

4. Urges Member States, particularly the developed countries, international financing institutions and intergovernmental organizations to intensify their assistance to the Sudano-Sahelian countries by providing them with increased financial assistance to alleviate the effects of the drought;

5. Requests the Secretary-General and the Director-General of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations to apply the experience gained in relief operations in continuing to produce forecasts and to provide adequate assistance to overcome the problems of supply, storage and distribution;

6. Urges the Secretary-General and the Director-General of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations to continue to operate the early warning system in order to keep abreast of developments in the situation in the Sudano-Sahelian region;

II. IMPLEMENTATION OF THE MEDIUM-TERM AND LONG-TERM RECOVERY AND REHABILITATION PROGRAMME

1. Takes note with satisfaction of the report of the Secretary-General[3] on the efforts made to implement the medium-term and long-term recovery and rehabilitation programme in the Sudano-Sahelian region drawn up by the States members of the Permanent Inter-State Committee on Drought Control in the Sahel;

2. Expresses its gratitude to the Governments, United Nations agencies, intergovernmental organizations, private organizations and individuals that have contributed to the implementation of the programme;

3. Urges all States to provide financial and technical support for efforts to strengthen transport infrastructures and facilities, with particular emphasis on ensuring uninterrupted movement of food-stuffs and other products from the ports of unloading to all regions of the land-locked countries of the Sudano-Sahelian region;

4. Also urges all Governments, United Nations agencies, intergovernmental organizations, private organizations and individuals to continue to respond favourably and in a continuing manner, either bilaterally or through the United Nations Sabelian Office or any other intermediary, to requests for assistance from the Permanent Inter-State Committee on Drought Control in the Sahel and its member States;

5. Draws the attention of Member States and of the Secretary-General to the importance of the meeting of the Council of Ministers of the Permanent Inter-State Committee on Drought Control in the Sahel held at Banjul from 16 to 19 December 1977, and of the third Conference of Heads of State and Government of the Permanent Inter-State Committee to be held at Banjul on 20 and 21 December 1977;

6. Requests the United Nations Sahelian Office to continue its close co-operation with the Permanent Inter-State Committee on Drought Control in the Sahel and its efforts to ensure co-operation and co-ordination between United Nations programmes and bodies, with a view to the implementation of the medium-term and long-term assistance programmes;

7. Requests the Secretary-General to continue his action aimed at mobilizing the financial resources necessary for the implementation of the medium-term and long-term projects identified by the States members of the Permanent Inter-State Committee on Drought Control in the Sahel;

8. Requests the Secretary-General to continue to report to the General Assembly, through the Governing Council of the United Nations Development Programme and the Economic and Social Council, on the implementation of the medium-term and long-term recovery and rehabilitation programme in the Sudano-Sahelian region and to report to the Assembly at its thirty-third session on the implementation of section I of the present resolution.

107th plenary meeting
19 December 1977

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[1] Ibid., Supplement No. 3A (E/6013/Rev.1), para. 165. [2] DP/252 and Corr.1; A/32/254. [3] A/32/254.