CM/Res. 450 (XXV)
RESOLUTION ON DROUGHT AND NATURAL DISASTERS IN AFRICA
The Council of Ministers of the Organization of African Unity meeting in its 25th
Ordinary Session in Kampala, Uganda, from 18 to 25 July 1975,
Having studied the detailed and comprehensive report CM/673 (XXV) submitted by the General Secretariat on drought in Africa and its alarming effects,
Considering the dangerous and rapid spread of this disaster to areas hitherto unaffected,
Convinced of the urgent and pressing need to formulate a global strategy and take immediate and decisive remedial measures,
Considering that the steps so far taken are not commensurate with the seriousness of the situation,
Having heard the statement by the Malagasy delegation on the periodic cyclones in the Indian Ocean Islands,
Having considered the report submitted by the same delegation CM/652/Add.4,
Considering the exceptional situation in the Cape Verde Islands,
Having taken note of the statements made by representatives of the following International Organizations: ADB, FAO, WFP and WHO,
Recalling Resolution CM/Res. 336 (XXIII) establishing an emergency Relief Fund, adopted in Mogadishu,
COMMENDS the General Secretariat on its detailed report and the action already taken;
APPROVES the recommendations contained in the above mentioned documents;
REITERATES its appeal to member States to pay their voluntary contributions and REQUESTS the Administrative Secretary-General to make proposals for the assessment of mandatory contributions;
URGES the Administrative Secretary-General to set up immediately, within the General Secretariat a section to deal with all problems connected with drought and natural disasters to ensure better harmonization and coordination of future operations;
RECOMMENDS that Member States establish sub-regional co-operation bodies similar to the Inter-State Committee on Drought Control in the Sahel based in Ougadougou, Upper Volta;
CALLS for the establishment of sub-regional specialized research institutes, for the prevention and control of natural disasters;
AUTHORIZES the Administrative Secretary-General, in consultation with the Ad hoc Committee, to use the Relief Fund for emergency operations, studies and compilation of all the date required for the control of the disasters;
INVITES the Administrative Secretary-General to ensure the implementation and co-ordination of the project for the hydrogeological map of the continent;
REQUESTS the Administrative Secretary-General to convene a preparatory symposium of Experts in 1976. This symposium should meet in collaboration with the Inter-State Committee on Drought control based in Ogadougou to harmonies the African stands before the meeting of the United Nations on drought scheduled to be held in 1977 as recommended by the fifth Session of the Scientific Council for Africa. The Administrative Secretary-General should ask the UN Secretary-General to hold this meeting in Africa if possible;
RECOMMENDS that urgent steps to be taken to assist the people of Cape Verde Island seriously affected by drought for more than seven years, a situation which has been aggravated by the difficult circumstances;
APPEALS to the International Community in particular to the Specialized Organizations and Agencies to do everything within their power to assist OAU Member States in their effort to control the drought and other natural disasters.
RECOMMENDS to the Heads of State that the celebrations of the Thirteenth Anniversary be centred on assistance to the drought-stricken countries.
The Working Party is composed of:
Libya, Morocco, Egypt, Chad, Central African Republic, Rwanda, Liberia, Gambia, Senegal, Guinea, Ethiopia, Somalia, Kenya, Swaziland, Sudan, Nigeria and Zaire.