YouSaid · the spoken record

Oshima

lines on the record: 900
first: 2001-04-23
most recent: 2007-06-22
sittings or episodes: 95
sources: un-security-council

Every line below is reproduced as it was said and linked to the record it came from. Nothing here is summarised or generated. Directory · Search · Corrections

“When the Memorandum of Understanding was signed, in early April, approximately 1.9 million vulnerable people were receiving assistance from the international community. As soon as conditions permitted after the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding, United Nations agencies, the Government and NGO partners immediately conducted rapid needs assessments in previously inaccessible areas, particularly in newly created family reception areas. Those rapid assessments resulted in the identification of an additional 1 million or so people who are in need of emergency assistance - namely, approximately 800,000 people in newly accessible areas, plus an estimated 220,000 family members of UNITA combatants, assembled in 31 of the 35 family areas.”
2002-07-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4575 (2002) · source
“The overall situation in Angola has changed dramatically since I last briefed the Council, in February. The ceasefire established by the Memorandum of Understanding is holding; the peace process seems to be irreversible. The people of Angola are to be commended for that momentous achievement. The resulting improvements in humanitarian access to many locations in the interior have had significant positive consequences for the population. However, the humanitarian situation in many parts of the country continues to be dire. The enormous needs of large parts of the population - inter alia, for food, water, shelter and health care - require an urgent and massive response. Despite the overall positive developments, the people most affected by the war have yet to see a significant peace dividend.”
2002-07-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4575 (2002) · source
“It is looking to the future and is already planning for rehabilitation and reconstruction; it appears ready to increase the share of spending for the social sector. Should that become a reality, I believe that it will be complemented by significant donor support. Thirdly, the humanitarian community will have to continue with massive lifesaving interventions for the short term. In particular, return and resettlement strategies for internally displaced persons - especially UNITA combatants and their families - are quickly becoming a major challenge. Helping displaced people to return home and to re-establish a productive life will be critically important in the consolidation of peace. To carry out those activities immediately, we need a significant step-up of donor support.”
2002-07-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4575 (2002) · source
“In addition to meetings in Luanda with key Government ministers, the donor community and humanitarian partners, including non-governmental organizations (NGOs) active on the ground, we made an informative field trip to the town of Kuito in Bie province, which is one of the hardest-hit locations in the country. I have drawn three main conclusions from my mission. First, the Government of Angola and the United Nations and its partners have a unique opportunity to create a new partnership to address both humanitarian needs and reconstruction and development issues. That opportunity should be seized with renewed effort and commitment; it is important to develop the appropriate framework for the partnership. Secondly, the Government is working hard to make the agreement set out in the 4 April Memorandum of Understanding hold.”
2002-07-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4575 (2002) · source
“Julia Taft, Director of the Bureau for Crisis Prevention and Recovery at UNDP, was part of the mission. If members agree, she is also available to answer questions today. Our mission to Angola followed the earlier, broad-based, mission led by Mr. Ibrahim Gambari to assess and consult with the Government on the role and structure of the United Nations presence in Angola in the light of the new situation. The purpose of my humanitarian mission was twofold: first, to assess the situation on the ground first-hand, and ensure that effective aid coordination is in place and, secondly, to discuss a set of key issues with the Government, including burden-sharing and strategies for return and resettlement of internally displaced persons, including UNITA combatants and their families.”
2002-07-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4575 (2002) · source
“Mr. Oshima: I thank the Security Council for once again providing me with an opportunity to brief the Council on the latest humanitarian situation in Angola. I have just returned from a mission to Angola and southern Africa. In southern Africa, I visited three of the several countries affected by the looming hunger crisis - Zimbabwe, Malawi and Zambia. Tomorrow, here in New York, we are organizing a launch of national appeals for emergency assistance on behalf of the six countries affected. During my visits, I had the company of senior officials from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the World Food Programme (WFP). We travelled together so that we could develop an integrated overview of the situation - not just from a humanitarian, but also a reconstruction and development perspective. Ms.”
2002-07-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4575 (2002) · source
“I wish to say a little about developing the road map, as I have indicated briefly, as part of our effort to take the aide-memoire out of the Security Council Chamber in New York to the broader stages and as part of our own training exercises. We intend to hold workshops and training sessions on the issue of protection of civilians, including practical application of the aide-memoire, for our staff in the field, government officials, academic institutions and practitioners and others. We intend to do this in Asia, Africa, America and other places in the coming months. In our work, we will try to mainstream protection issues further into decision-making and policy development. I am sorry if I have not responded to all questions and requests for clarifications made, but I would like to thank you again, Sir, for the opportunity.”
2002-03-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4492 (2002) · source
“Regarding respect for international humanitarian law, I share the concerns expressed by the representative of Syria, with whom I had the great pleasure of working in the context of the Economic and Social Council, that the Geneva Convention and other standards of international human rights law must be more strictly observed. I should like to commend, in this regard, the untiring efforts that the International Committee of the Red Cross in particular has made over the past 50 years to urge respect for international humanitarian law. I believe that, in many cases, they have succeeded in achieving compliance. I would hope that the Council will continue and, where necessary, step up its efforts to promote compliance with the recognized standards of international humanitarian law around the world.”
2002-03-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4492 (2002) · source
“We are indeed engaged in an exercise which, hopefully, will enable us to develop some meaningful guidelines or a manual which will be used in our negotiations to obtain access in the delivery of humanitarian assistance. To that end, an inter-agency process has already been initiated to produce guidelines that will be based on best practices for United Nations humanitarian field staff. The guidelines will provide practical steps on when, how and on what basis to engage or disengage with armed groups. The agency staff concerned have just concluded a one-day retreat in Geneva to elaborate on the annotated outline, and they expect to hear more from experts from the International Committee of the Red Cross and from think tanks, and they will continue their efforts to arrive at some guidelines.”
2002-03-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4492 (2002) · source
“It was asked whether it might be necessary to look at this issue as one that is not confined only to West Africa but that could extend beyond it. The policy of zero tolerance laid down by the Secretary-General, of course, covers not just the allegations in West Africa, but applies to this issue anywhere in the world. In that light, the IASC members agreed on the need to assess, at a later stage, the underlying causes, including poverty and the misuse of power and influence by relief workers in West Africa and elsewhere. Naturally, we are concerned with the wider implications of this problem. Very briefly, I should like to answer a question raised by the representative of Colombia on issues relating to access - especially in the context of the development of guidelines or manuals.”
2002-03-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4492 (2002) · source
“Those recommendations will include measures to be taken internally by each organization. I will also ask the task force, within the IASC, to elaborate a code of conduct for all humanitarian professionals. We hope to be able to come up with some standardized code of conduct applicable to all professionals engaged in humanitarian activities, whether within the United Nations or outside - hopefully, also including non-governmental organizations in this respect. As I understand it, the Department of Peacekeeping Operations is already working on this issue for peacekeeping operations, and, naturally, we will be closely coordinating and cooperating with that Department on developing measures that need to be put in place to address this problem.”
2002-03-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4492 (2002) · source
“As I have already indicated, the results of the investigation will be published in a report to the Secretary-General to ensure that there is transparency in the conduct of this investigation. As the Secretary-General also has indicated, this will be done in an expeditious manner. There is another aspect to this problem, and that is to also look into remedial or preventive measures in order to prevent or minimize the problem. For that purpose, as Emergency Relief Coordinator, I have asked, as Chairman of the Inter-Agency Standing Committee (IASC), for the establishment of a task force that will provide specific policy recommendations and desirable preventive or remedial measures to address the vulnerability of children and women. The task force, it is hoped, will come up with its recommendations by early April.”
2002-03-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4492 (2002) · source
“I think that this is a very useful suggestion, and I should like to thank the representative of Singapore for raising this point. I should like to discuss this matter further with Under- Secretary-General Guehenno, in the spirit of the understanding we have reached on closer cooperation between the two bodies. Allow me to try briefly to respond to some of the questions raised. First, with respect to the allegations made concerning West Africa, as I noted in my briefing, what we have been doing so far is to follow exactly the overall guidelines that the Secretary- General himself has provided. He directed that these allegations be investigated as thoroughly and urgently as possible, and the Office of Internal Oversight Services has already launched its investigation.”
2002-03-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4492 (2002) · source
“One was the suggestion made by the representatives of the United Kingdom and the United States inviting OCHA to join briefings with DPKO on the matter of protection in the context of its deliberations on peacekeeping mandates. I would like to thank those two delegations for this suggestion. I have already raised this possibility with my colleagues from the Department of Peacekeeping Operations, and I would very much welcome the opportunity to do so in future, as the need arises. Another related matter was raised in this connection. A proposal was made by the representative of Singapore to see whether it would be useful to carry out a review of all peacekeeping operations against the background of the aide-memoire.”
2002-03-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4492 (2002) · source
“Mr. Oshima: First of all, I would like to express my gratitude for the kind words about the work of my Office and of my colleagues in various humanitarian agencies and their partners. I am also very pleased that the aide-memoire has been very positively received. I look forward to working closely on this matter with the members of the Council, including updating and revising it as necessary, and to keeping the Council informed about new developments that may require its involvement. I am also grateful for the Council's general appreciation of the closer cooperation between the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) and the Department of Peacekeeping Operations (DPKO) in the future. In this regard, I noted a couple of points that I would like to briefly address.”
2002-03-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4492 (2002) · source
“In that respect, I hope that in the next briefing to the Council on this issue, we can record even more examples of progress, and I look forward to the next report of the Secretary-General on the protection of civilians in armed conflict, in November 2002.”
2002-03-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4492 (2002) · source
“Although ultimately the primary responsibility for the protection of civilians falls on the Governments and armed groups involved in conflict situations, swift action by the Council is indispensable where Governments do not honour those responsibilities or deliberately act in violation thereof. In conclusion, I look forward to working closely with the Council on the finalization of the road map in the coming months and on the regular updating of the aide-memoire. I hope that the understanding on closer cooperation between OCHA and DPKO, together with continued collaboration with our humanitarian partners in the Inter-Agency Standing Committee, will contribute further to enhancing the protection of the millions of civilians caught in conflict areas around the world.”
2002-03-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4492 (2002) · source
“They noted the growing toll of civilian deaths in recent years and the frequency and severity of assaults on humanitarian personnel and property. Several participants worried that this may indicate an increasing disregard for the standards of international humanitarian law. Lastly, it was emphasized that, faced with the realities of today's conflicts and despite serious challenges to the peace and security of their countries, Member States must adhere to, and continue to promote, the humanitarian and legal standards established over the last 50 years. While all the activities I have described reflect progress in our joint endeavour, they cannot substitute for the willingness of the Council to act decisively on each of the concerns brought to its attention.”
2002-03-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4492 (2002) · source
“In this respect, I would like to express my gratitude to the Governments of Norway and of Canada for providing the necessary financial support for these events. As before, the round tables have contributed to raising the awareness of the importance for matters of peace and security of issues related to the protection of civilians, and have generated invaluable recommendations and food for thought. The rapporteurs' reports from these meeting will be made available to members of the Council shortly. In the meantime, I would like to highlight just a few key points that emerged from those round-table meetings. Participants emphasized the challenges posed to humanitarian operations by the increasingly blurred distinctions between civilians and combatants in conflict zones, especially in the areas of access and safety.”
2002-03-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4492 (2002) · source
“Before concluding, I would like to update the Council briefly on the progress made in the reorganization of those recommendations of the Secretary-General where a consensus exists, as reflected in resolutions 1265 (1999) and 1296 (2000). For the sake of convenience, I will refer to this exercise as a "road map" - it reorganizes the Secretary- General's recommendations into different themes, identifying institutions responsible for implementation and defining the necessary steps to be taken for such implementation, including those for cooperation and coordination. To assist in the preparation of the road map, my Office has continued the round-table discussions initiated last fall, adding two more, which took place recently - in February and March - with the participation of all interested Council members.”
2002-03-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4492 (2002) · source
“To this end, we have reached an understanding with our colleagues from DPKO on how to ensure that protection issues are given sufficient and regular attention in briefings or reports pertaining to peacekeeping operations. OCHA will ensure, through its focal point on the protection of civilians, that its own expertise and analytical capacities and those of relevant partners - including those from the Inter-Agency Standing Committee framework - are paired with DPKO's long-standing expertise and experience in the design and operation of peacekeeping missions. In this regard, we hope that this reinforced cooperation will assist the Council, providing, where appropriate, complementary briefings on specific protection concerns during its deliberations on the establishment, change or close of a peacekeeping operation.”
2002-03-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4492 (2002) · source
“Lastly, we intend to hold workshops and training sessions on the issue of the protection of civilians - including on the practical application of the aide- memoire - for our field staff, mid-level government officials, academic institutions and practitioners in various parts of Asia, Africa and Latin America in the coming months in order to move protection issues further into the mainstream of decision-making and policy development. We look forward to the active participation of the Council in making the aide- memoire a practical, lasting and effective decision- making tool of the Council. As I stated earlier, promoting the protection of civilians in the design, planning and implementation of peacekeeping operations requires closer cooperation between all parts of the United Nations, in particular DPKO and OCHA.”
2002-03-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4492 (2002) · source
“I recall that, during my briefing last November, some Council members asked me to consider ways of integrating four interrelated thematic discussions, namely, the protection of civilians in armed conflict; women, peace and security; children in armed conflict; and conflict prevention. In my View, the aide-memoire will provide, at least in part, a useful framework for the consideration of these interrelated, complementary issues.”
2002-03-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4492 (2002) · source
“It also contains a list of references to previous country-specific and thematic Security Council resolutions and presidential statements pertaining to each of those objectives. This is intended to serve as a quick and easy reference guide for Council members when developing a peacekeeping mandate. It may also serve as a piece of institutional memory for Council members. For the Secretariat, it will also serve as a relevant checklist and guide us as we undertake our daily work and report on the protection of civilians, both in the field and at Headquarters. The aide-memoire also addresses another request by the Council.”
2002-03-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4492 (2002) · source
“I am also gratified by the strong working relationship and collaborative spirit that were fostered by the Secretariat and the Security Council throughout this process. Jointly, we have striven to create a document that is both concise and informative, while at the same time remaining practical and applicable to the wide range of situations and requirements emerging in the course of an armed conflict. It is intended as a "living" document that will be regularly updated in a continuing, collaborative effort between the Council and the Secretariat. The aide-memoire identifies 13 core objectives for protecting civilians in armed conflict and the corresponding key issues for consideration in meeting those objectives.”
2002-03-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4492 (2002) · source
“First, in an unprecedented example of interactive cooperation between the Council and the Secretariat, an aide-memoire has been developed that will serve as a checklist to Council members when considering the establishment, change or close of a peacekeeping operation. The aide-memoire represents the accumulated expertise of many entities within and outside the United Nations system, most notably DPKO, OCHA, UNHCR, UNICEF, the World Food Programme and other key humanitarian and human rights partners. It was the subject of extensive consultations, at the expert level, with the members of the Council. In this respect, I would like to commend Norway for its wise leadership and hospitality when guiding the informal discussions.”
2002-03-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4492 (2002) · source
“We realize that progress in implementing the measures referred to in the Secretary-General's recommendations depends on the extent to which the issue is being mainstreamed into the daily work of the Organization - within both the Council and the Secretariat. In this regard, I am pleased to inform the Council about the progress made on two significant initiatives: first, the development of the aide-memoire; and secondly, the agreement on standard operating procedures between OCHA and DPKO to facilitate closer cooperation on issues related to the protection of civilians in the design of peacekeeping operations. Both measures were, of course, requested by the President of the Council in his letter addressed to the Secretary-General dated 21 June 2001.”
2002-03-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4492 (2002) · source
“An informal working group on training for peacekeepers has also been convened by UNICEF, the Office of the Special Representative for Children and Armed Conflict and a Swedish non- governmental organization to produce a training package on child protection issues, which will be used by all United Nations peace operations. Finally, we are gratified that progress has been made in the ratification of the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on the involvement of children in armed conflict. The International Criminal Court is only five more ratifications away from its entry into force. All of these initiatives highlight the progress that has been made in our efforts to improve the protection of civilians, but they also demonstrate the continuing need to keep this issue on the Council's agenda.”
2002-03-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4492 (2002) · source
“The goal is to ensure common standards for humanitarian workers when engaging in a structured dialogue with these groups to gain access to vulnerable populations and the necessary space for humanitarian operations. Similarly, the Office of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict, the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), the Department of Peacekeeping Operations (DPKO) and the Department of Political Affairs have set up an inter-agency working group that is looking into child protection issues within United Nations peacemaking, peacekeeping and peace- building processes.”
2002-03-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4492 (2002) · source
“These efforts are essential to preserving the civilian nature of refugee camps and to ensuring the safety and security of refugees and surrounding populations. As the third point on the positive side, I would like to note that the increased dialogue and partnerships among agencies, through coordinated efforts, are producing encouraging results. My own Office, the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), has convened a working group of United Nations humanitarian agencies that is developing guidelines for aid workers on the terms of their engagement with armed groups in providing humanitarian assistance and protection. The guidelines will based on best practices and international humanitarian and human rights law.”
2002-03-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4492 (2002) · source
“In Sierra Leone, some 46,500 combatants have been demobilized and disarmed, in recognition of the importance of improved security conditions for building a lasting peace. They are now ready to be reintegrated into their communities. Together with the establishment of a Special Court to try serious crimes committed in the past and of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, this initiative constitutes a significant signal towards peace and stability in the region. In the Democratic Republic of the Congo, UNHCR and the United Nations Observer Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo have jointly separated more than 1,000 former combatants and their families from the larger civilian refugee population and have transferred them to a new location.”
2002-03-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4492 (2002) · source
“It should be noted that the Council's consideration of the issue of protection has increased awareness within and outside the United Nations system of the many different steps and initiatives that can be taken to alleviate human suffering and, thereby, has expanded its "toolbox" when responding to conflicts around the world. Indeed, the principles and standards advocated and set by the United Nations system have contributed in many places to directly enhancing the protection of civilians. Secondly, in the spirit at least of the 54 recommendations contained in the Secretary-General's two reports on the subject matter, many positive initiatives have been undertaken to enhance the protection of vulnerable populations on the ground. I would just like to note a few of them.”
2002-03-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4492 (2002) · source
“While these problems and situations, among others, continue to demand our most pressing attention, it is important not to lose sight of the progress that has been made in enhancing the protection of civilians in recent years, both by the Council and by the international community more widely, including numerous non-governmental organizations. First, on the progress side, the Security Council's past consideration of the issue has in many cases resulted in a tangible mitigation of human suffering. For example, child and gender advisors have been incorporated into peacekeeping missions. Recent Council resolutions have increasingly advocated safe and unimpeded humanitarian access to vulnerable populations. The Council is also considering sanctions that are more targeted, and are designed to limit their unintended humanitarian impact.”
2002-03-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4492 (2002) · source
“Additionally, in my capacity as the Emergency Relief Coordinator, I have urged the development by relevant agencies of measures and policies to prevent transgressions against the very women and children they are serving, in close collaboration with the Inter- Agency Standing Committee and with the humanitarian coordinators in the field. As a first step, the Inter- Agency Standing Committee, on Wednesday of this week, created a task force aimed at developing quick proposals to enhance immediately the protection of children in refugee camps from sexual abuse.”
2002-03-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4492 (2002) · source
“He has also reiterated a policy of zero tolerance for any such acts perpetrated by anyone employed by or affiliated with the United Nations. As a result, the Office of Internal Oversight Services immediately launched an investigation into the allegations with the aim of recommending remedial action against any individuals found to have perpetrated any such act. The result of the investigation will be made public in a report to the General Assembly. Also, the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), protection personnel and senior field managers have been tasked to undertake immediate measure to enhance the protection of children in refugee camps in West Africa and other places.”
2002-03-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4492 (2002) · source
“Further displacement has occurred over the past few weeks since my last briefing to the Council, in part due to the military strategy of the Government. The declaration of a ceasefire by the Government on 13 March, therefore, is ground- breaking news. We are monitoring its implementation, and I call upon the Council's commitment and support in that respect. In this context, I would like to comment on the serious allegations of sexual exploitation of children in refugee camps in Liberia, Sierra Leone and Guinea. Like the Secretary-General, I am deeply disturbed by these allegations. As members are aware, the Secretary-General has directed that these allegations be investigated as thoroughly and urgently as possible and that remedial action aimed at strengthening the protection of women and children be taken as necessary.”
2002-03-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4492 (2002) · source
“The United Nations has voiced its serious concern about these attacks, and one of the key donors to that country - the United States - subsequently put on hold the implementation of the Danforth plan, aimed at increasing humanitarian access in the Sudan, until such time as the Government of Sudan demonstrates its commitment to investigate the incidents and put remedial measures in place. Therefore, we welcome the 10 March agreement between the Government of Sudan and the Sudan People's Liberation Movement to establish an international verification mission to investigate reports of attacks on unarmed civilians. We await concrete results. In Angola, more than a third of the population - approximately 4.6 million people currently - is displaced as a result of a conflict which has lasted for more than 30 years.”
2002-03-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4492 (2002) · source
“Against this backdrop, Security Council resolution 1397 (2002) represents a crucial step in reconfirming the need to ensure the safety of civilians and to ensure respect for universally accepted norms of international humanitarian law in the context of the Middle East. Our concerns, however, remain. Or take the Sudan, where we have collectively been dismayed by the recent pattern of attacks on civilians, humanitarian workers and facilities, including the shameful attacks on civilians gathered at or near food distribution sites.”
2002-03-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4492 (2002) · source
“In his statement to the Council on 12 March, the Secretary- General indicated that "the toll of the dead and wounded, particularly among innocent civilians, has risen to levels that can be described, without exaggeration, as appalling" (S/PV.4488, p. 2). He specifically emphasized that the use of heavy weaponry by Israel in civilian areas has made life even more difficult and precarious for Palestinian civilians, who were already subjected to severe physical and economic hardships, and that it must stop. Also, he told the Palestinians that the deliberate and indiscriminate targeting of Israeli civilians is morally repugnant. He said that acts of terror and suicide bombings must stop.”
2002-03-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4492 (2002) · source
“Mr. Oshima: I would first like to thank you, Mr. President, for the opportunity to address the Council once again on the issue of the protection of civilians in armed conflict. I am aware of concerns relating to the number of thematic issues brought to the Council's attention in recent years. Given the daily threat to civilians in many conflicts around the world, however, I believe that it is critical to keep this important issue high - and firmly - on the Council's agenda. It is important that decisive and timely action be taken to end the suffering of millions of innocent victims of warfare, including many women and children. Take the Middle East, for example, where the escalation of violence has resulted in many civilian casualties over the past few days alone.”
2002-03-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4492 (2002) · source
“He is a dedicated humanitarian with a long record of distinguished service in a number of countries, including Afghanistan, where -until very recently when he moved to Angola- he was the United Nations Humanitarian Coordinator.”
2002-02-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4472 (2002) · source
“I would also like to think that the fact that the Council is interested in keeping this issue under review in a constant and sustained manner, rather than just holding a hearing on it - and, indeed, its interest in other severe emergencies in Africa and elsewhere - is, in itself, very important for us humanitarians and, I am sure, for the donor communities. My office, the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, stands ready to provide any information or update that the Council may request in this regard. As I indicated, my office will be working very closely with Ambassador Gambari's office on the Angolan situation. Having made those comments, may I, with your permission, Mr. President, ask Erick de Mul to speak.”
2002-02-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4472 (2002) · source
“In October 2000, the standards were adopted, in a decree of the Council of Ministers signed by President dos Santos, as norms for the resettlement of internally displaced persons. A preambular paragraph states the that Guiding Principles establish general principles governing the treatment of internally displaced persons. So they have been clearly incorporated in part of the national legislation. I would also like to touch on the question about the way in which the Security Council might be useful to the work of humanitarians. I think that the fact that this meeting is being held today is in itself very important, as I said earlier. The clearly enunciated message from the Council about the need to do much more in Angola for humanitarian purposes is surely welcome.”
2002-02-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4472 (2002) · source
“Such questions will include access to the vulnerable population; days of tranquillity, which have been under consideration and discussion as a means of addressing some specific requirements for polio immunization; the issue of funding for projects and programmes; the problem of infrastructure, which has been explained; and the question of resettlement of internally displaced persons, among other issues. Another comment I would like to make is in response to a specific question raised by the Ambassador of Colombia relating to the position the Government of Angola has taken with respect to the Guiding Principles on Internal Displacement. In Angola, the Guiding Principles became the basis for minimum standards for the resettlement of internally displaced persons developed by the Government in cooperation with United Nations agencies.”
2002-02-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4472 (2002) · source
“I also welcome the call by a number of Council members on the Government to do more and to implement the goals and strategies to which it is attached, while acknowledging the actions it has already taken to make more resources available for humanitarian action. A number of questions were asked about issues that touch upon the daily humanitarian activities in Angola. I would like to ask the Humanitarian Coordinator for Angola, Erick de Mul, to answer some of those questions. I would like first to say that my planned mission to Angola, as well as that planned by my deputy and, possibly, that of Under-Secretary- General Gambari in the near future, will be coordinated so as to take up priority issues with the Government of Angola.”
2002-02-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4472 (2002) · source
“Mr. Oshima: Before responding to the questions raised, I would like to make a few observations. First of all, I would like to thank the members of the Council for the fact that the Council's attention has been drawn afresh to the humanitarian situation and the plight of the people in Angola, and to the urgent need to take action to address that situation. That is very important. I was also very heartened by the clear and strong message that we heard in this Chamber - a message that encourages the donor community to be yet more generous in providing assistance to the vulnerable population in Angola.”
2002-02-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4472 (2002) · source
“I would like to seek the support of the Council to this end - to give generously, and to give now. Ultimately, the solution to the humanitarian crisis in Angola is the end of the war. We know that there have been some positive developments on the political front. The window of opportunity that currently presents itself is of great importance, and every effort must be made to arrive at a durable and just solution. We look to the Security Council in particular for innovative and courageous solutions to end the war, and it is my sincere and strong hope that every possible channel is being explored in order to assist the Angolans in achieving peace. Only then will the tragic and protracted humanitarian situation in Angola begin to dissipate.”
2002-02-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4472 (2002) · source
“I have asked this unit, which is dedicated to strengthening the international response to internal displacement, to address Angola as one of its top priorities this year. I have already mentioned that there has been a rapid increase in internally displaced persons. Last year, the number of internally displaced persons was five times higher than anticipated. Despite this increase in humanitarian needs, only 47 per cent of the $233 million requested in last year's Consolidated Inter-Agency Appeal was received. While acknowledging the need for the Angolan Government to be encouraged to implement the agreed goals and strategies, I would also like to urge Member States to remember Angola, and urge even more strongly that they give generously and immediately to the 2002 Appeal.”
2002-02-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4472 (2002) · source
“We are working closely with the office of Under-Secretary-General Gambari to seek additional means of supporting the Government in its efforts to find a solution to the crisis. In this respect, as part of our United Nations plan for action on Angola, in the coming weeks I will dispatch my Assistant Emergency Relief Coordinator, Mr. Ross Mountain, to Angola to prepare the way for my own visit later this spring. During my visit, I intend to take up priority issues with the Government, including, most importantly, the implementation of the agreed goals and strategies that the Government committed itself to in 2001. Another action I would like to mention in this regard is, as members of the Council may be aware, the recent establishment of a unit on internal displacement within the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs.”
2002-02-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4472 (2002) · source
“These include securing surface routes, which would lower the cost of delivering humanitarian assistance; establishing days of tranquillity in order to allow access for polio and other immunization and for the delivery of much-needed humanitarian assistance; implementing partnership targets agreed to in the 2002 consolidated appeal, including the closure of the remaining 13 transit centres; ceasing all forms of harassment; and increasing Government funding for humanitarian programmes. Most importantly, both parties to the conflict must desist from using military strategies that directly affect civilians and ensure that humanitarian agencies have unhindered and continuous access to all affected populations. The war is the root cause of the humanitarian crisis in Angola.”
2002-02-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4472 (2002) · source