Assistance to El Salvador

The General Assembly,

Bearing in mind its resolutions 41/2 of 14 October 1986, concerning emergency assistance to El Salvador, and 41/194 of 8 December 1986, in which it appealed to all States and appropriate organizations of the United Nations system to contribute to the reconstruction and development of El Salvador,

Taking note of Economic and Social Council resolution 1987/16 of 26 May 1987, in which the Council urged Governments, organizations of the United Nations system and governmental and non-governmental organizations to continue to contribute generously to the reconstruction of El Salvador,

Having considered the summary report of the Secretary-General on international humanitarian assistance activities for El Salvador,

Concerned that the serious effects of the earthquake that occurred on 10 October 1986 have not been overcome despite the efforts of the Government and people of El Salvador and the international assistance received,

Concerned also that the efforts made by the Government of El Salvador have been restricted and hindered by the existence of serious economic and financial problems that have increased as a result of a substantial fall in agricultural export production and unfavourable conditions in international markets,

Convinced of the outstanding importance of international assistance and co-operation in the processes of national reconstruction following the damage caused by natural disasters,

Reiterating the continuing need for the international community to adopt suitable measures for effective assistance and co-operation to promote the rehabilitation, recovery and development of Member States that have suffered natural disasters,

1.         Expresses its gratitude to the Secretary-General for the efforts and measures undertaken to provide international assistance to El Salvador;

2.         Also expresses its gratitude to the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for International Relief Activities in El Salvador and his team for the work done and activities conducted in connection with assistance to El Salvador;

3.         Expresses its gratitude to the States and organizations that have contributed to the reconstruction of El Salvador;

4.         Notes with concern that the contributions from bilateral and multilateral donors provided during 1987 were not sufficient to meet the urgent needs facing the Government of El Salvador, so that additional assistance is required;

5.         Urges Governments, organizations of the United Nations system and governmental and non-governmental organizations to continue to contribute generously to the reconstruction of El Salvador, especially through grants and low-interest, long-term loans, in view of the country's needs and limited resources;

6.         Requests all Governments and concerned organs and organizations to provide voluntary contributions as a matter of urgency, directly or through the Special Representative of the Secretary-General, in order to alleviate adequately the consequences of the earthquake in El Salvador;

7.         Requests the Secretary-General to take any measures that he may deem necessary to promote the implementation of the present resolution so as to accelerate the process of reconstruction in El Salvador, and to report thereon to the General Assembly at its forty-third session.