| United Nations | A/50/521 |
General Assembly
Distr. GENERAL
13 November 1995
ORIGINAL:
ENGLISH
Fiftieth session
Agenda item 96 (f)
ENVIRONMENT AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT: INTERNATIONAL
DECADE FOR NATURAL DISASTER REDUCTION
Report of the Secretary-General
CONTENTS
Paragraphs Page
I. INTRODUCTION...........................................1 - 53
II. INTERNATIONAL FRAMEWORK OF ACTION FOR THE DECADE.......6 - 154
III. CORE FUNCTIONS OF THE SECRETARIAT OF THE DECADE........16 - 196
A. Support to and coordination of the International
Framework of Action for the Decade................. 166
B. Implementation of the goals of the Decade.......... 177
C. Follow-up to the World Conference on Natural
Disaster Reduction................................. 188
D. Promotion and advocacy............................. 198
IV. CORE STAFF OF THE SECRETARIAT OF THE DECADE............20 - 268
V. CORE COST OF THE SECRETARIAT OF THE DECADE.............27 - 319
VI. FUNDING OPTIONS FOR THE SECRETARIAT OF THE DECADE......32 - 4511
A. Private sector funding.............................36 - 3711
B. Broadening the donor base for the Decade...........38 - 3912
95-30339 (E) 171195/...
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CONTENTS (continued)
Paragraphs Page
C. Long-term funding security.........................4012
D. Trust Fund for the Decade as a channelling
mechanism..........................................4112
E. Secondment of expertise............................4213
F. Synergy within the Department of Humanitarian
Affairs ............................................43 - 4413
G. Regular budget.....................................4513
VII. CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS........................46 - 4814
Annexes
I. Staffing table for the secretariat of the Decade at
September 1995....................................................15
II. Trust Fund for the Decade: statement of income and expenditures
for the period 1990-1995...........................................16
III. Annual costs of the secretariat of the Decade and its core project
activities .........................................................17
I. INTRODUCTION
1. At its substantive session of 1994, the Economic and Social Council
carried out the mid-term review of the implementation of the International
Framework of Action for the International Decade for Natural Disaster
Reduction 1990-2000 (resolution 44/236, annex). This review was based,
inter alia, on the findings of the World Conference on Natural Disaster
Reduction held at Yokohama, Japan, from 23 to 27 May 1994, as laid out in
the Yokohama Message 1/ and the Yokohama Strategy for a Safer World:
Guidelines for Natural Disaster Prevention, Preparedness and Mitigation 2/
and its Plan of Action. Both the mid-term review and the Yokohama Strategy
and Plan of Action were subsequently endorsed by the General Assembly in
its resolution 49/22 A of 2 December 1994.
2. Discussions at the meeting of the Preparatory Committee for the World
Conference on Natural Disaster Reduction and at the Conference itself had
emphasized that adequate resource availability was a key factor for the
successful implementation of the International Framework of Action. The
Yokohama Strategy and Plan of Action strongly encouraged financial support
for programme activities. It called, equally, for considering ways and
means to ensure the functional security and continuity of the secretariat
of the Decade. The Trust Fund for the Decade was reconfirmed as a priority
mechanism for making resources available for these purposes.
3. The report on the Decade submitted to the General Assembly at its
fiftieth session through the Economic and Social Council provides
information on the full financial situation of the Decade, including the
functioning and the status of the Trust Fund (A/50/201-E/1995/74, paras.
82-87). The report gives a general overview of voluntary contributions to
the Trust Fund from a number of donors. It states, however, that the Trust
Fund has remained an underfunded facility, barely able to support essential
functions of the International Framework of Action and equally limited in
its capacity to support disaster reduction projects.
4. The report further points out that the level of contributions to the
Trust Fund is still insufficient for both the desired programme activities
as well as the core tasks of the International Framework of Action for the
Decade. Despite the renewed emphasis placed upon natural disaster
reduction as generated by the World Conference and contrary to the strong
support expressed for the implementation of the Yokohama Strategy and Plan
of Action, substantive additional resources have not come forward. In
particular, the secretariat of the Decade continues to see itself hampered
in its efforts to serve adequately the International Framework for the
Decade. Its capacity to coordinate the day-to-day activities of the Decade
and to support the transformation of the Yokohama Strategy and Plan of
Action into concrete action to reduce vulnerability to natural disasters at
the country level is being compromised owing to a lack of resources.
5. Consequently, the Economic and Social Council, at its substantive
session of 1995, noting the report on the Decade (A/50/201-E/1995/74),
expressed its concern about the continuing financial limitations. In its
resolution 1995/47 B the Council called for the provision of adequate
financial resources and technical support for the activities of the Decade.
It also requested an examination of options from all existing sources for
an adequate funding of the core functions of the secretariat of the Decade,
and requested that these core functions be specified in the context of the
report on the Decade to the General Assembly at its fiftieth session.
II. INTERNATIONAL FRAMEWORK OF ACTION FOR THE DECADE
6. The secretariat of the Decade was established in early 1990 for the
period of the Decade (1990-2000), following the adoption by the General
Assembly at its forty-fourth session of the International Framework of
Action for the Decade (resolution 44/236, annex). The Assembly requested,
inter alia, that the secretariat be responsible for the day-to-day
coordination of Decade activities and provide substantive and secretarial
support to the Special High-level Council and the Scientific and Technical
Committee, as well as for other related activities.
7. In order to be able adequately to serve the complex International
Framework for the Decade both inside and outside the United Nations system,
emphasis had been placed on the establishment of a small but distinctly
identifiable secretariat. With a view to the challenging substantive tasks
deriving from General Assembly resolution 44/236, the secretariat was
expected to draw on the existing expertise of established entities within
the United Nations system. Consequently, the secretariat was set up at the
United Nations Office at Geneva, in close association with the then Office
of the United Nations Disaster Relief Coordinator (UNDRO). The head of the
secretariat reported directly to the then Director-General for
International Economic Cooperation.
8. With the appointment of the Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian
Affairs as Emergency Relief Coordinator and the establishment of the
Department for Humanitarian Affairs of the Secretariat in 1992 as a result
of General Assembly resolution 46/182 of 19 December 1991, the secretariat
for the Decade has become an integral part of that Department. Among other
changes brought about by the Department's reorganization in 1994, the
Mitigation Branch and the secretariat of the Decade were consolidated under
the umbrella of a Disaster Reduction Division, dealing with natural
disaster reduction. This was done to further improve internal functioning.
9. In the annex to resolution 46/182 the General Assembly charged the
Emergency Relief Coordinator with a wide range of disaster-related
responsibilities, from disaster reduction through preparedness, relief,
rehabilitation and reconstruction to sustainable development. The Disaster
Reduction Division, especially the secretariat of the Decade, is
responsible for natural disaster reduction activities, both in the context
of disaster management and of humanitarian action, as in the fields of
environmental protection, natural resource management and sustainable
development.
10. Coordination within the United Nations system was ensured since the
Decade's preparatory phase through the Steering Committee of the United
Nations for the International Decade for Natural Disaster Reduction and
other related organizational entities chaired by the Director-General in
close cooperation with the then United Nations Disaster Relief Coordinator.
The Steering Committee continued its work during the first half of the
Decade. In line with the recommendations of the Decade's mid-term review,
the Steering Committee has been extended under the authority of the
Emergency Relief Coordinator in his capacity as Under-Secretary-General for
Humanitarian Affairs.
11. The International Framework of Action, which forms the conceptual
basis for the core functions of the secretariat of the Decade is defined in
detail in the annex to the Decade's founding resolution. The Decade as
proclaimed by the General Assembly in its resolution 44/236, represented an
effort by the international community to establish a cooperative
relationship between the scientific community and the United Nations in a
field of concern to the Member States.
12. In order to reflect a comprehensive and concerted approach, the
Framework was laid out with four major components. These were a national-
level mechanism in the form of national Decade committees, a structured
approach to coordinated input and support by the United Nations system, a
Special High-Level Council for overall advice, the promotion of public
awareness and the mobilization of support, as well as a Scientific and
Technical Committee. The latter was expected to guide the Decade's
activities through programme formulation, the identification of gaps and
priorities in the application of scientific and technical knowledge, and
the evaluation of the Decade's implementation.
13. With the overall goal of reducing the impact of disasters, the
objective of the activities envisaged in the Decade was to mobilize
scientific and academic communities through national committees in order to
raise public and governmental consciousness to build indigenous capacities
in regard to preparedness and prevention of natural disasters.
14. With the Yokohama Strategy and Plan of Action, the World Conference on
Natural Disaster Reduction reaffirmed the multifaceted function of the
Decade secretariat with regard to representing and promoting the issue of
natural disaster reduction in disaster management, national development
planning and international technical cooperation. Maintaining and
facilitating a cooperative and multisectoral dialogue between the
international scientific and technical community, the national levels and
the United Nations system remains a major challenge.
15. The secretariat of the Decade has engaged in drawing up a concrete
plan for activities during the final four years of the Decade, until the
end of 1999. This strategic work plan is based on the outcome of the World
Conference and embedded in the current strategic planning for the future
work of the Department of Humanitarian Affairs.
III. CORE FUNCTIONS OF THE SECRETARIAT OF THE DECADE
A. Support to and coordination of the International
Framework of Action for the Decade
16. Based on the original concept of the Decade as developed by the
International Ad Hoc Group of Experts on the Decade as reflected in the
annex to the Decade's founding resolution 44/236 and as reaffirmed and
complemented by the recommendations of the Yokohama Strategy and Plan of
Action, the following core activities are discharged by the secretariat of
the Decade:
(a) Assistance in strengthening the Special High-Level Council in line
with General Assembly resolution 49/22 A. This includes the provision of
secretarial support and substantive input to the Council on a regular
basis, and the organization of one annual meeting. The substantive input
will concentrate on enabling the Council to provide disaster reduction
activities worldwide and regionally with authoritative and effective
programme guidance, in order to ensure stronger cohesion of disaster
reduction activities during the second half of the Decade. The Council
will play a leading role in mapping out the disaster reduction strategy for
the period beyond the year 2000;
(b) Continuing secretarial and substantive support for the activities of
the Scientific and Technical Committee through a permanent dialogue with
Committee members, both collectively and individually. This includes the
organization of up to two annual meetings, both in substantive and
logistical terms. For the remaining years of the Decade, until the end of
1999, the already comprehensive approach of the Committee will have to be
broadened further, in order to help integrate disaster reduction into all
aspects of national planning for the benefit of achieving sustainable
development. The members of the Committee will contribute to the
implementation of the Yokohama Strategy and Plan of Action through
conceptual theme-setting as part of the process towards the end-of-Decade
event;
(c) Providing secretarial support and substantive input to the United
Nations Steering Committee for the Decade, in particular through a regular
dialogue with all concerned agencies and organizations of the United
Nations system. This will also include the organization of meetings of the
Steering Committee, primarily at the level of its Working Group, both
substantively and logistically;
(d) Managing the Trust Fund for the Decade, which remains the key
instrument for providing financial resources for the implementation of the
International Framework of Action, for the Decade. The Yokohama Strategy
and Plan of Action have re-emphasized the role of the Trust Fund for the
Decade and have called for its full utilization both for the provision of
resources for disaster reduction activities as well as in support of the
work of the secretariat of the Decade.
B. Implementation of the goals of the Decade
17. The secretariat of the Decade, as part of the Department of
Humanitarian Affairs, is instrumental in facilitating concerted action in
the implementation of the goals of the Decade as set forth in the annex to
resolution 44/236. The national committees have been playing a vital role
in focusing the priority of the Decade on concrete action aimed at disaster
reduction at the national and community levels. The core functions of the
secretariat in this regard, therefore, are:
(a) To improve the capacities of countries to mitigate the effects of
natural disasters expeditiously and effectively through:
(i)Facilitating the establishment of national committees and the nomination
of national focal points. This activity is based on a comprehensive
evaluation of the national committee concept and the development of
alternative national level models;
(ii)Facilitating a permanent dialogue among the national committees and
focal points, as well as between them and the other components of the
International Framework for the Decade, including through maintaining a
clearing-house function for disaster reduction related-information;
(iii)Maintaining the dialogue with Governments within the framework of
relevant United Nations forums, and through informal mechanisms established
since the World Conference on Natural Disaster Reduction. This dialogue
helps bring together policy makers, national committees and national
disaster management administrations;
(b) To devise appropriate guidelines and strategies for applying
existing scientific and technical knowledge and foster scientific and
engineering endeavours aimed at closing critical gaps in knowledge through:
(i)Monitoring the implementation of demonstration projects and evaluating
their success on the basis of commonly acknowledged success indicators, to
be developed by the secretariat together with the Scientific and Technical
Committee and other relevant partners of the International Framework for
the Decade;
(ii)Collating and assessing information on existing knowledge and
technology and identifying gaps and priorities for future research within
the process towards the end-of-Decade event;
(c) To disseminate existing and new technical information relating to
measures of assessment, prediction and mitigation of natural disasters
through:
(i)Facilitating the development of networks or mechanisms for dialogue
among and between universities, other academic or scientific bodies,
relevant technical institutions and concerned United Nations organizations
and agencies;
(ii)Monitoring and providing support and input for information
management networks that relate to disaster management and, in particular,
natural disaster reduction, environmental protection, natural resource
management, and sustainable development.
C. Follow-up to the World Conference on Natural Disaster Reduction
18. The third main function of the secretariat relates to the follow-up to
the World Conference on National Disaster Reduction and includes the
following specific tasks:
(a) Serving as focal point for the International Framework of Action for
the Decade and the Department of Humanitarian Affairs for all aspects of
disaster reduction in the context of major United Nations programme
activities and conferences:
(i)With regard to the implementation of Agenda 21 3/ and the Programme of
Action for the Sustainable Development of Small Island Developing States,
4/ the secretariat serves as focal point for natural and environmental
disasters in the context of the reporting by the Commission on Sustainable
Development;
(ii)The secretariat supports and coordinates input from the International
Framework of Action for the Decade, and its participation, into major
thematic conferences of the United Nations system and beyond, as well as
their respective follow-up;
(b) Facilitating, monitoring and adapting the implementation of the
action plan for the International Framework of Action for the Decade, on
the basis of the Yokohama Strategy and Plan of Action. This activity
includes, in particular, the improved mobilization of adequate resources
for the implementation of the Decade as well as the development of a
coordinated sectoral and cross-sectoral process at all levels towards the
Decade's closing event.
D. Promotion and advocacy
19. Finally, and as part of its core functions, the secretariat of the
Decade supports the International Framework of Action for the Decade, and
the Emergency Relief Coordinator in his capacity as Under-Secretary-General
for Humanitarian Affairs, in all aspects of promotion of the Decade's goals
and objectives and advocacy of natural disaster reduction.
IV. CORE STAFF OF THE SECRETARIAT OF THE DECADE
20. In launching the International Decade for Natural Disaster Reduction,
the General Assembly stipulated in the annex to its resolution 44/236 that
the secretariat of the Decade should be small, with its members drawn, as
appropriate, from the international community of disaster reduction experts
and other relevant experts through, inter alia, secondment arrangements
with competent United Nations organizations, Governments, and non-
governmental organizations.
21. This recommendation was based on the proposal put forward by the
International Ad Hoc Group of Experts on the International Decade for
Natural Disaster Reduction in its report to the General Assembly at its
forty-fourth session (A/44/322/Add.1-E/1989/114/Add.1, annex). The Group
of Experts had foreseen the secretariat to be headed by a senior technical
expert as Director. The staff of the secretariat was supposed to be small
at the outset and, in line with the defined tasks, was expected to grow
gradually to approximately 10 Professionals.
22. In concurring with the proposals for the establishment of the post of
the Director of the secretariat of the Decade, the Advisory Committee on
Administrative and Budgetary Questions based its decision on the broad
range of responsibilities entrusted to the head of the secretariat, as
described in the earlier sections of the present report. It also based its
decision on the accepted estimate for the core staff requirements of the
secretariat which would have to be met if the Decade was to be successfully
implemented.
23. The core staff requirements that were presented to the Advisory
Committee on Administrative and Budgetary Questions comprised one Director
(D-2), one expert (L-5), one expert (L-4), two experts (L-3), one Junior
Professional Officer (L-2), one consultant, one seconded expert and 3
General Service and Other level staff.
24. These core requirements took into account the preparatory work for the
1994 World Conference for Natural Disaster Reduction. They could, however,
not yet reflect the additional responsibilities of the International
Framework for the Decade and in particular of the secretariat, for the
implementation of the Yokohama Strategy and Plan of Action. They could
also not yet take into account the decision made by the General Assembly at
its forty-ninth session with regard to a structured process towards the
end-of-Decade event, in which the secretariat would be charged with
additional responsibilities.
25. Consequently, and in the light of the results of the World Conference
on Natural Disaster Reduction, the current staff resources of the
secretariat comprise one Director (D-2), one Senior Adviser (D-1), six
professional experts (L-5 to L-2), seven General Service staff, as well as
those covered by special service agreements and consultants as appropriate.
A detailed breakdown of staff is provided in annex I to the present report.
26. Only the Director of the secretariat and two of the General Service
staff incumber temporary posts. All other staff members are being employed
either in the form of project personnel, secondments, consultants or
temporary assistance.
V. CORE COST OF THE SECRETARIAT OF THE DECADE
27. In accordance with the financial arrangements outlined in the annex to
General Assembly resolution 44/236, all activities and secretariat costs
are funded from extrabudgetary resources. To this end, the Trust Fund for
the Decade has been established as a means to receive voluntary
contributions from Governments, international organizations and other
sources, including the private sector.
28. Financial support from the United Nations regular budget has so far
covered only the conference-servicing costs for one annual meeting of the
Special High-Level Council and an estimated three meetings of the
Scientific and Technical Committee during each year of the biennium. The
regular budget does not, however, cover travel and per diem expenses in
connection with Council and Committee meetings, for which extrabudgetary
funding was foreseen. The secretariat was to be financed exclusively from
extrabudgetary resources.
29. Since the launching of the Decade, extrabudgetary resources have been
made available to the Trust Fund for the Decade in the form of voluntary
contributions in an amount of approximately US$ 8 million. Contributions
have been received from the Governments of Denmark, Finland, France,
Germany, Italy, Japan, the Netherlands, Norway, the Russian Federation,
Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern
Ireland, and the United States of America. In addition, the European
Commission and the Organization of American States have provided financial
support through the Trust Fund. In addition, donations have also been
received from the Asian Development Bank, the Australian National Committee
for the Decade and the German National Committee. It must, however, be
noted that access to sources other than traditional donors, in particular
the private sector, has been minimal.
30. From the income received in the Trust Fund, an overall expenditure of
US$ 7.1 million has been incurred as at the date of the present report.
About 87 per cent of this expenditure relates to staff and operational
costs of the secretariat. Only 9 per cent of the spending from the Trust
Fund refers directly to project-related activities. The balance of 4 per
cent has been utilized to cover travel expenses for meetings, primarily of
Scientific and Technical Committee members and of delegates from developing
countries to the World Conference for Natural Disaster Reduction. Most of
the cost of the World Conference on Natural Disaster Reduction was covered
from funds outside the Trust Fund, i.e., the United Nations regular budget
and the Government of Japan.
31. A detailed table of income per annum and of the related expenditure is
provided in annex II to the present report. Most of the voluntary
contributions to the Trust Fund have been specifically earmarked for
clearly defined activities, including staff components. This has left, and
continues to leave, little room for covering unforeseen financial
requirements. The secretariat is limited, from a financial point of view,
in its efforts to undertake necessary urgent and additional activities that
have resource implications beyond the available expert or consultant staff.
The annual running costs of the secretariat, including the requirements for
core staff, are presented and broken down in annex III to the present
report.
VI. FUNDING OPTIONS FOR THE SECRETARIAT OF THE DECADE
32. With its funding limited to extrabudgetary resources, the Decade has
witnessed a factual narrowing of its donor base as well as other
difficulties in the implementation of the International Framework of Action
during the first half of the Decade. The overall level of financial
support has been insufficient, the flow of contributions has been
irregular, contributions have in most cases been specifically earmarked,
and follow-up activities to successfully implemented projects had been only
barely considered when financial commitments were made. Consequently, the
secretariat has, in many cases, invested more time in the development and
presentation of specific project proposals, the soliciting of related
earmarked contributions and the reporting on their implementation than in
the tasks of day-to-day management of the Decade and the servicing of the
International Framework.
33. Improved financial security for the secretariat would enable more
creativity, coherence and sustainability in fulfilling the secretariat's
core functions. This would, at the same time, generate more attractive and
marketable products that could tell the success story of natural disaster
reduction. Such products would, in turn, help to solicit broader financial
support for the Decade's activities and the secretariat.
34. The annex to General Assembly resolution 44/236, stipulating financing
of the Decade from extrabudgetary resources, defines three basic funding
sources for Decade activities, including the costs of the secretariat.
These are voluntary contributions from Governments, international
organizations or other sources. The last of these relate, in particular,
to contributions from the private sector.
35. The first half of the Decade has been financed through a combination
of extrabudgetary resources, project funds and some staff secondment
arrangements. Considering the intended resources as outlined in resolution
44/236 and the experience thus far, detailed below are seven major funding
options for the future. These options are not mutually exclusive. Rather,
it is expected that a combination of them will best provide the long-term,
viable and sustainable financial basis which is of paramount importance to
the future effectiveness and continuation of activities in the field of
natural disaster reduction.
A. Private sector funding
36. In section IV of the present report, it was pointed out that the
majority of the secretariat's overall income has derived from voluntary
contributions, made by a limited number of donor Governments. Obviously,
the International Framework of Action for the Decade has so far not
succeeded in soliciting measurable financial support for Decade activities
beyond the traditional donor community, i.e., Governments and/or
government-related agencies with responsibilities in the fields of disaster
management and technical cooperation. Consequently, the secretariat has,
until now, not received any substantive financial input from either
international organizations or the private sector.
37. For the remaining years of the Decade, however, and specially in the
context of the process towards the end-of-Decade event, this gap will have
to be filled. Any strategy for disaster reduction beyond the year 2000 can
only be credible to the extent that it also provides clear expectations for
adequate resource availability for both disaster reduction activities and
the responsible actors. Private sector support, especially in financial
terms, will be critical for success and will only come forward on the basis
of such a credible approach. In this respect, the strengthened Special
High-Level Council, with the support of the secretariat, will develop
broad-based fund-raising strategies, with particular emphasis on
cooperation with the private sector. The continued political support for
this approach from the Member States remains crucial for success.
B. Broadening the donor base for the Decade
38. In addition to improved access to private sector funding, financial
security could be increased by broadening the governmental donor base, with
regard to both the overall number of donors and the access to a broader
spectrum of budget lines at the national level. The World Conference on
Natural Disaster Reduction reconfirmed the strong linkages between natural
disaster reduction, environmental protection, natural resource management
and sustainable development. The participating delegations manifested
their commitment and interest in seeing natural disaster reduction firmly
integrated into national development planning, particularly in developing
countries.
39. Consideration might, therefore, be given to involving more States
Members of the United Nations in the provision of financial support for the
secretariat. At the same time, contributions could be provided to a larger
extent from the available budget lines for international development
cooperation on the basis of priorities that have been jointly established
between the funding and the implementing entities, in terms of both
bilateral and multilateral funding.
C. Long-term funding security
40. In order to attain a longer-term funding security for the secretariat
during the second half of the Decade, Member States might want to consider
pledges for voluntary contributions covering the total period from 1996 to
1999 on the basis of a consolidated action plan and a related appeal. This
would particularly facilitate the secretariat's role and responsibilities
within the coordinated and well-structured process towards the end-of-
Decade event.
D. Trust Fund for the Decade as a channelling mechanism
41. A further option for the better funding of core activities of the
secretariat is the improved utilization of the Trust Fund as a channelling
mechanism for voluntary contributions to project activities, in both the
bilateral and the multilateral context. This would enable the secretariat,
in its capacity as manager of the Trust Fund, to draw upon a minimal
administrative overhead charge on such contributions, currently fixed at a
level of 3 per cent of the overall amount. This option is commensurate
with the proposals as laid down in paragraphs 87 (a) to (c) of the report
of the Secretary-General (A/50/201-E/1995/74).
E. Secondment of expertise
42. Another option for strengthening the secretariat's staffing is the
secondment of specialist expertise from Governments, the United Nations
system, international organizations, non-governmental organizations, and
the private sector. This possibility has been insufficiently used. The
reasons for this are manifold, but obviously the general state of the
secretariat's functional security has implications for the attractiveness
of secondment.
F. Synergy within the Department of Humanitarian Affairs
43. In the process of restructuring the Department of Humanitarian Affairs
and for the purpose of taking full advantage of the complementarity of the
secretariat and the Department's Disaster Mitigation Branch, these two
components have been brought together under the umbrella of the Disaster
Reduction Division. Within the Disaster Reduction Division, the
secretariat and the Disaster Mitigation Branch remain mutually supportive
and have brought their respective work plans in line on the basis of the
Yokohama Strategy and Plan of Action. As Director of the Division, the
Director of the secretariat ensures full cooperation with all other
concerned entities of the Department in matters relating to natural
disaster reduction and is able to draw on their expertise, where
appropriate.
44. The expertise of the Disaster Mitigation Branch in support of the core
functions of the secretariat relates to the assessment of risk, the
formulation of disaster reduction strategies and the initiation of project
activities in the context of technical cooperation at the country level.
The World Conference on Natural Disaster Reduction has reconfirmed this
important aspect of goals and objectives of the Decade. The demands placed
on the Branch in terms of resources have, however, already increased in
relation to the Branch's own traditional responsibilities, as a direct
consequence of the World Conference. Given the existing financial
limitations of the Branch, which itself has to rely on extrabudgetary
resources for more than 50 per cent of its funding, the concrete support
potential for core functions of the secretariat must be considered
marginal.
G. Regular budget
45. While the Economic and Social Council, in its resolution 1995/47 B,
had requested the Secretary-General to include in his report an examination
of options from all existing sources for an adequate funding of the core
functions of the secretariat of the Decade, the Secretary-General believes
that in the present financial situation of the Organization, the regular
budget is not a funding option for the secretariat, whose original mandate
is clearly predicated on being funded exclusively from voluntary resources.
VII. CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
46. The financial situation of the secretariat of the Decade, as part of
the Department of Humanitarian Affairs, remains fragile, despite the
explicit commitment of the international community to the implementation of
the goals of the Decade as pronounced at the World Conference on Natural
Disaster Reduction and its follow-up so far. The gap between expectations
placed upon the International Framework of Action for the Decade, in
particular the secretariat of the Decade, and the resources provided for
this purpose has widened even further.
47. As highlighted in the report of the Secretary-General (A/50/201-
E/1995/74, para. 108 (b)), it is critical to ensure adequate resources for
the secretariat.
48. In order to provide for financial stability of the Decade during the
remaining period until 1999, in particular with a view to mapping the
international community's strategy for disaster reduction beyond the year
2000, all options discussed in section VI of the present report should be
considered and implemented without delay, within the context of a
comprehensive and consolidated financial strategy. The strategy should be
developed by the secretariat, as part of the Department of Humanitarian
Affairs, in close consultation with all partners of the International
Framework for Action for the Decade. The General Assembly may therefore
wish to consider providing additional regular budget resources to the
Department of Humanitarian Affairs for the remaining period of the Decade
until 1999, for the specific purpose of strengthening the secretariat of
the Decade. This, in combination with a broadening of the donor base,
contributions from the private sector and continued secondment
arrangements, would ensure the viability and effectiveness of the Decade
and all that it represents.
Notes
1/ See A/CONF.172/9, chap. I, annex II.
2/ Ibid., chap. I, annex I.
3/ Report of the United Nations Conference on Environment and
Development, Rio de Janeiro, 3-14 June 1992 (A/CONF.151/26/Rev.1 (vol. I
and vol. I/Corr.1, vol. II, vol.III and vol. III/Corr.1) (United Nations
publication, Sales No. E.93.I.8 and corrigenda), vol. I: Resolutions
Adopted by the Conference, resolution 1, annex II.
4/ Report of the Global Conference on the Sustainable Development of
Small Island Developing States, Bridgetown, 25 April-6 May 1994
(A/CONF.167/9 and Corr.1 and 2). (United Nations publication, Sales No.
E.94.I.8 and corrigenda), chap. I, resolution 1, annex II.
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ANNEX I
Staffing table for the secretariat
of the Decade at September 1995
Level Post
D-2 Director
D-1 Special adviser
L-5 Senior expert
L-4 Promotion officer
L-3 Managing editor (outposted to Italy)
L-3 Technical expert for project development
L-3 Technical expert (outposted to Costa Rica)
L-2 Associate expert
GS/OL Seven posts
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ANNEX II
Trust Fund for the Decade
Statement of income and expenditures for the period 1990-1995 a/
(United States dollars)
1990
1991
1990-1991
1992
1993
1992-1993
1994
1995 b/
1994-1995 b/
Total
Income
943 223 c/
1 162 591
2 105 814
1 339 685
1 225 022
2 564 707
2 190 302
1 183 349
3 373 651
8 044 172/...Expenditure
Staff and other personnel costs
322 489
586 439
908 928
621 199
1 048 913
1 670 112
1 039 619
1 059 409
2 099 028
4 678 068Travel
65 989
35 464
101 453
36 525
124 700
161 225
300 226
148 343
448 569
711 247Contractual services
0
0
0
29 986
45 580
75 566
5 869
17 939
23 808
99 374Operating expenses and others
11 971
2 862
14 833
25 222
(6 060)
19 162
82 884
39 484
122 368
156 363Training, fellowships, grants and others
0
38 800
38 800
58 800
132 224
191 024
177 386
195 240
372 626
602 450Equipment and supplies, acquisitions
0
32 381
32 381
6 924
21 804
28 728
9 836
0
9 836
70 945 Subtotal
400 449
695 946
1 096 395
778 656
1 367 161
2 145 817
1 615 820
1 460 415
3 076 235
6 318 447Programme support costs
52 058
90 473
142 531
95 279
162 827
258 106
209 984
189 927
399 911
800 548 Total expenditure
452 507
786 419
1 238 926
873 935
1 529 988
2 403 923
1 825 804
1 650 342
3 476 146
7 118 995
a/ Extract from the official United Nations statement of accounts.
b/ Figures per statement of income and expenditures as at 31 July 1995.
c/ Income for 1990 includes opening balance of $67,606.
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ANNEX III
Annual costs of the secretariat of the
Decade and its core project activities
(1995 level - in thousands of United States dollars)
Type of expenditure Annual cost
A. Core staff
Director D-2185.3
Assistant to the Director G-689.1
Information systems expert (1/2) G-536.0
Administrative secretary G-466.0
Secretary (1/2) G-3 30.0
Subtotal 406.4
B. Non-staff costs
1. General temporary assistance10.0
Consultants40.0
Representation of Decade major conferences40.0
Official travel of staff80.0
Training1.0
External translation25.0
External printing75.0
Telecommunications50.0
Hospitality1.0
Miscellaneous services5.0
Office supplies10.0
Office equipment (rental and maintenance)16.0
Data-processing equipment (hardware and software)10.0
Grants and contributions to organizations undertaking
promotional activities for the Decade 180.0
Subtotal543.0
2. Scientific and Technical Committee, annual session
(outside Geneva, without interpretation)120.0
Special High-Level Council, annual session (New York) 60.0
Subtotal180.0
Total, A + B1 129.4
Type of expenditure Annual cost
C. Core project activities
1. Staff
Special Adviser to Director D-1 (172) a/
(a) Promotional activities
Expert L-4142.1
Associate programme officer (field) L-3117.7
Consultants ---51.5
Information systems expert (1/2) G-536.0
Secretary G-466.0
(b) Decade newsletter "Stop Disasters"
Expert (field) L-3117.7
Consultant (field) ---18.0
Editor ---51.6
Secretary (1/2) G-433.0
(c) Management and coordination
Expert L-5162.2
Expert L-3117.7
Consultant ---81.0
Secretary G-466.0
(d) Research and evaluation
Expert SSA (162) a/
Consultant ---96.0
Junior Professional Officer L-2 (102) a/
Secretary (1/2) G-330.0
(e) Early warning and information systems
Senior officer P-5157.6
Associate programme officer P-293.3
Consultant ---42.0
Secretary (1/2) G-4 33.0
Subtotal 1 512.4
Type of expenditure Annual cost
2. Non-staff project costs
(a) Promotional activities 166.3
(b) Decade newsletter "Stop Disasters" 189.6
(c) Management and coordination 573.4
(d) Research and evaluation 515.0
(e) Early warning and information systems 100.0
Subtotal 1 544.3
Total, C 3 056.7
Grand total, A + B + C 4 186.1
a/ Direct funding.
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