General Assembly of the United Nations held a meeting on the urgent humanitarian situation in Nepal – President Kutesa held bilateral meetings

New York – 15 May 2015

Statement Attributable to the Spokesperson for the President of the General Assembly

The Humanitarian Situation in Nepal

Today, the General Assembly of the United Nations held a meeting on the urgent humanitarian situation in Nepal following the devastating earthquake on 25 April and the subsequent one on 12 May.

Speaking on behalf of the President of the General Assembly (PGA), H.E. Mr. Sam Kahamba Kutesa, the Permanent Representative of Georgia and Acting PGA, H.E. Mr. Kaha Imnadze, commended “the leadership demonstrated by the Government of Nepal and their steadfast efforts to address this challenging situation”. He also thanked “all Member States, including the neighbouring countries and organizations that have responded to the crisis”.

Member States were informed that in many places, the conditions on the ground are dire, with relief efforts suffering a serious setback following the second earthquake this week.

While long-term recovery and rehabilitation efforts will play a crucial role in rebuilding Nepal, there are immediate concerns that warrant the full support of the international community. The PGA stated that “with the monsoon season set to start in June, it is of utmost important that a comprehensive relief effort is launched as quickly and efficiently as possible”.

The PGA recalled that “with some 2.8 million displaced people, every effort must be made to ensure that people living in open spaces have access to basic shelter as soon as possible. Many of the displaced also need food assistance as a vital necessity”. He went on to say that “access to health care, sanitation and hygiene services, as well as water, are critical priorities that must be addressed”. The PGA highlighted that “beyond the needs of urban centres, people displaced from rural villages need to be able to return to their homes before the start of the planting season”. Failing that “could have severe consequences for the country’s food security”.

Bilateral Meetings

On 14 May 2015, the PGA received separately the new Permanent Representatie of Cote d’Ivoire, H.E. Mr. Claude Bouah-Kamon, and the new Permanent Representative of Barbados, H.E. Mr. Keith Hamilton Lewellyn.

They exchanged views on the priorities of the 69th session.

The PGA also held a joint meeting with H.E. Mr. George Wilfred Talbot, and H.E. Mr. Geir O. Pedersen, the Co-facilitators for the preparatory process of the Third International Conference on Financing for Development (FfD), and H.E. Mr. David Donoghue, one of the co-facilitators of the negotiations for the Post-2015 Development Agenda. They exchanged views on the ongoing processes.

President Kutesa also held a meeting with the Co-chairs of the Ad-hoc Working Group on the Revitalization of the General Assembly.

The UNDP Resident Representative in Uganda, Ms. Ahunna Eziakonwa-Onochie, paid a courtesy call to the PGA.

Finally, the PGA held a meeting with the Committee for the selection of individuals to be awarded the United Nations Nelson Mandela Prize.