Statement by
H.E. MR. HARRI HOLKERI
President of the General Assembly
Consolidated Inter-Agency
Appeals 2001 launch
28 November 2000
I should like to congratulate
the organizers of this year's Consolidated Inter-Agency Appeals event for its
very timely and acute theme "Women and War". War and conflict affect millions
of women and children, and their suffering must be acknowledged and addressed.
I am proud to participate in the launch of the 2001 Consolidated Appeals. I
also welcome the widening of the scope of the Appeals launch so that this year
they take place in several capitals around the world. The Appeals provide opportunities
for the international community to join forces and contribute to resolving problems
of a purely humanitarian character.
The objectives of the Appeals are directly relevant to the United Nations "Millennium
Declaration" adopted by the heads of State and Government attending the Summit
held in New York in September this year. The world leaders committed themselves
to spare no effort to ensure that "all civilian populations that suffer disproportionately
the consequences of natural disasters, genocide, armed conflicts and other humanitarian
emergencies are given every assistance and protection so that they can resume
normal life as soon as possible." The world leaders further resolved to strengthen
coordination of humanitarian assistance "to help all refugees and displaced
persons to return voluntarily to their homes, in safety and dignity and to be
smoothly reintegrated into their societies."
The Consolidated Appeals implement these objectives. They are critical in alleviating
the suffering of civilians while facilitating rehabilitation, recovery and peace
building efforts. They also help strengthen the overall coordination of humanitarian
response. I call upon all Member States to heed these appeals to meet the needs
of the victims of conflict and natural disasters and to contribute generously
to the requirements of the Appeals. This is an opportunity to show our commitment
to help those who need help and who have scarce resources for their sustenance.
I also request Member States to pay special attention to the appeals for specific
countries that have received poor response in recent years.
My words are also addressed to those Member States which experience armed conflict,
to support the efforts of the humanitarian community by facilitating safe, unimpeded
and unrestricted access for humanitarian personnel and supplies. Full cooperation
of the governments of these countries is a prerequisite for ensuring that relief
assistance is safely delivered to civilian beneficiaries. Humanitarian assistance
should be given safe passage under any regime. I encourage Member States to
set aside all political differences in favour of the needs of the victims. This
should be self-explanatory under the provisions of international humanitarian
law, but clearly, it needs to be repeated and reaffirmed and by all Member States
in various UN fora.
I wish you every success for this year's Consolidated Appeals Process.