Attachments
The Economic and Social Council,
Reaffirming General Assembly resolution 46/182 of 19 December 1991 and the guiding principles contained in the annex thereto, and recalling other relevant resolutions of the Assembly and relevant resolutions and agreed conclusions of the Economic and Social Council,
Reaffirming also the principles of humanity, neutrality, impartiality and independence for the provision of humanitarian assistance, and the need for all actors engaged in the provision of humanitarian assistance in situations of complex emergencies, protracted crises and natural disasters to promote and fully respect those principles,
Recalling its decision 2016/219 of 6 May 2016, in which it decided that the theme for the humanitarian affairs segment of its 2016 session would be “Restoring humanity and leaving no one behind: working together to reduce people’s humanitarian need, risk and vulnerability”; and that it would convene three panel discussions under the segment,
Expressing deep concern at the increasing challenges to Member States, the United Nations and their capacity caused by the impact of climate change, the ongoing consequences of the financial and economic crisis, regional food crises, continuing food and energy insecurity, water scarcity, epidemics, natural hazards and environmental degradation, which are adding to underdevelopment, poverty and inequality and are increasing the vulnerability of people while reducing their ability to cope with humanitarian crises, emphasizing the need for resources for disaster risk reduction, preparedness and humanitarian assistance, including in developing countries, to be provided efficiently and effectively, and emphasizing also the need for development and humanitarian actors to work better together to strengthen resilience, including urban resilience, in terms of prevention, preparedness and response,
Expressing grave concern at the unprecedented number of people affected and displaced by humanitarian emergencies, including frequently protracted displacement resulting from humanitarian emergencies, which are increasing in number, scale and severity and are stretching humanitarian response capacities, recognizing the need for burden-sharing, and noting with appreciation efforts at the national and international levels that promote national capacity-building to address complex challenges in this regard,
Recognizing the critical role of host countries and communities, especially developing countries, in addressing the needs of affected populations in humanitarian emergencies, and reiterating the need for timely and coordinated support from the international community to hosts and affected countries to strengthen their development and resilience,
Recalling the Geneva Conventions of 19491 and their Additional Protocols of 1977,2 and the obligation to respect and ensure respect for international humanitarian law in all circumstances, and the obligation of all parties to armed conflicts to comply strictly with the obligations applicable to them under international humanitarian law,
Recalling also the Geneva Conventions of 1949 and their Additional Protocols of 1977 and 2005,3 as applicable, as well as relevant customary international law concerned with the protection of the wounded and sick, medical personnel and humanitarian personnel exclusively engaged in medical duties, their means of transport and equipment, as well as hospitals and other medical facilities, and the obligation of parties to armed conflict to respect and ensure respect for international humanitarian law in all circumstances, and noting the applicable rules of international humanitarian law relating to the non-punishment of any person for carrying out medical activities compatible with medical ethics,
Strongly condemning acts of violence, attacks and threats against the wounded and sick, medical personnel and humanitarian personnel exclusively engaged in medical duties, their means of transport, equipment and supplies, as well as hospitals and other medical facilities, and deplores the long-term consequences of such attacks for the civilian population and the health-care systems of the countries concerned,
Condemning all attacks, threats and other acts of violence against humanitarian personnel, their facilities, equipment, transports and supplies, and expressing deep concern about the consequences of such attacks for the provision of humanitarian assistance to affected populations,
Recognizing that humanitarian emergencies may disproportionately affect women and girls and that it is essential to ensure that women are empowered to effectively and meaningfully participate in leadership and decision-making processes relevant to such emergencies, that women’s and girls’ specific needs and interests are identified and adequately addressed, in strategies and responses, as appropriate, and that the rights of women and girls are promoted and protected in humanitarian emergencies,