Department of Sustainable Development

General Assembly

The General Assembly has passed multiple resolutions regarding natural disaster risk reduction, mandating RISK-MACC's efforts. In 1999, AG/RES 1682 (XXIX-O/99) established the Inter-American Committee on Natural Disaster Reduction, a body that acts as the principal forum of the Inter-American System for analyzing issues related to natural and other disasters, including the prevention and mitigation of their effects, in coordination with the governments of member states; competent national, regional, and international organizations; and non-governmental organizations.

AG/RES 2184 (XXXVI-O/06) refers directly to natural disaster reduction, risk management, and assistance in natural and other disaster situations. It reaffirms the importance of reducing vulnerability of member states through strategies and policies that promote mutual assistance and technical cooperation, land-use planning and improvement of building codes. It recognizes the need to include a gender perspective, as to reduce inequities and address specific vulnerabilities of all community members. And it explicitly raises the concern over the impact of natural disasters on issues related to democratic governance, poverty and inequalities. AG/RES 2184 calls for the use of a technical team of the Regional Humanitarian Volunteer Corps Network as a rapid response mechanism; and urges those member states that have not already ratified the Inter-American Convention to Facilitate Disaster Assistance to do so.

Another relevant, worth-noticed resolution is AG/RES 2182 (XXXVI-O/06) that calls for the adoption of the amended statutes of the IACNDR. It recognizes the importance of the IACNDR, and declares that the IACNDR will fulfill the duties and functions of the Inter-American Committee for Emergency Situations (IACES) under the Inter-American Emergency Aid Fund (FONDEM) and the Inter-American Emergency Aid Committee of the Inter-American Convention to Facilitate Disaster Assistance.

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