CubaMinrex. Sitio del Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores de Cuba

Statement by Claudia Pérez Álvarez, Representative of the Republic of Cuba on agenda item 70: Strengthening of the coordination of humanitarian and disaster relief assistance of the United Nations, including special economic assistance: 70 a) Strengthening of the coordination of emergency humanitarian assistance of the United Nations and 70 b) Special economic assistance to individual countries or regions. 64 UNGA. New York, 7 December 2009.

Mr. President,
As a consequence of climate change and ecological imbalance raising the number of natural disasters, we have noted with great concern an increase in the number of humanitarian emergencies in several parts of the world. This is in addition to the humanitarian consequences of conflict situations, the food crisis, and the current global economic and financial crisis.
Cuba reaffirms humanitarian assistance must be carried out fully respecting the principles recognized in the emblematic resolution 46/182. It also rejects the imposition of ambiguous concepts not agreed upon, which can be easily manipulated to justify any action contrary to the principles of sovereignty, territorial integrity, and non-interference in the internal affairs of States.
States in need are essentially required to request and consent to receive humanitarian assistance, under the principles and purposes established in the Charter of the United Nations. The Charter must be respected in the event of any situation, including humanitarian emergencies and its purposes and principles cannot be rewritten or distorted, restricted or conditional.
The Cuban State takes very seriously its key role in initiating, organizing, coordinating, and providing humanitarian assistance in its territory when the country has been affected by natural disasters, in accordance with the General Assembly provisions. In that context, Cuba reiterates the importance of implementing the Hyogo Framework for Action 2005-2015 and particularly the preparation in the event of disasters.

Mr. President,
In 2008, Cuba was affected in less than three months by five extreme meteorological events: two tropical storms that caused several floods, and three hurricanes. The first of those hurricanes was the most devastating one in the last 50 years, and the second passed all over the country causing considerable damages to the Cuban economy.
The losses due to those climatological events amounted to $9 721 billion, making last year the most affected one in this respect in the history of our country.
Preventive measures by Cuban authorities and people enabled the evacuation and protection of millions of people in safe places, and the preservation of valuable economic properties.
The effectiveness of the Cuban Civil Defense, in charge of ensuring the observance of civil defense measures and international regulations and covenants on civil protection to which Cuba is party, has been essential for the preservation of human lives and properties, including the use of mass media and the coordination with governmental and non-governmental institutions.
The experience acquired from being lashed by major meteorological phenomena along these years has enabled Cuba to strengthen the regulatory, legislative, and institutional frameworks for disaster risk reduction. Likewise, topics on disaster reduction have been included in national teaching syllabuses, making know-how and scientific and research results available to the Civil Defense System at all levels.
Mr. President,
Cuba considers extremely important to continue strengthening the International Strategy for Disaster Reduction, as a mechanism to coordinate the efforts in this international field. Also, our country is committed to continuing collaborating with the United Nations Disaster Assessment and Coordination (UNDAC) team.

We regret the loss of human lives and material damage on account of these meteorological phenomena and complex emergencies having affected thousands of people all over the world during the past year, particularly in the countries of the South. In that regard, we reaffirm the importance of complying with the commitments on Official Development Assistance, and promoting UN programs aimed at effectively support the efforts of developing countries.
The United Nations system and the international community have a significant role to play, helping developing countries to improve humanitarian capacities, know-how, and institutions they already have, and assisting them so that, inter alia, they have a greater access to new technologies, financial resources, and technical know-how.
Cuba reiterates its willingness to continue selflessly supporting the countries in need affected by natural disasters. An example of this support is the work undertaken by the Henry Reeve International Contingent of Doctors Specialized in Disaster Situations and Serious Epidemics. This contingent, created on August 2005 in Havana, initially aimed at helping the population affected by Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans, has achieved an extensive territorial deployment by establishing comprehensive field hospitals capable of providing comprehensive assistance to the affected population. This contingent has rendered services in seven countries, with 4,156 collaborators, 2,840 of which are medical doctors.
Cuba also develops several collaboration programs on health care in numerous countries, such as the Latin American School of Medicine where, in 10 years of creation, 8,283 students from 24 countries have graduated. At present, 23,749 students from 100 countries of Latin America and the Caribbean, Africa, Asia, North America and Europe are studying all over our country. Our country has likewise implemented the Comprehensive Health Program, currently benefiting 44 countries, which has 2,920 Cuban doctors who are sent free of charge and render their service in rural zones and to the whole population regardless race, creed, and ideology.
Cuba reaffirms its decision to continue offering, as far as possible, the support of our main resource: the human capital created by the Revolution and our best experiences.
For our country, the only way to face the devastating fury of nature and the humanitarian emergencies is to make the infinite resources of the planet available to the most affected, without mean commercial interests or national selfishness. Solidarity and international cooperation are imperative.
Thank you