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 Media Centre
Statement by the ILO Director-General on the response to the earthquake and tsunami in the
Indian Ocean Area 05 January 2005
GENEVA (ILO News) - The International Labour Office (ILO) today released the following statement by Director-General Juan Somavia
regarding the role of the ILO in the response to the earthquake and tidal wave in the Indian Ocean Area: "In the days since the devastating earthquake and tsunami in the Indian Ocean area, we have all struggled to grasp the enormity and devastation of this disaster. Each day brings new information on the impact of this cataclysm and dire warnings of its long-term consequences. "We mourn those who have been lost and offer our deepest sympathies and condolences to their family and kin. Now, we must work for the survivors. "ILO offices in, Jakarta Colombo, New Delhi, and Bangkok elsewhere have joined the coordinated response, working with national authorities and the United Nations and its specialized agencies to assist the relief effort and begin mobilizing for the long reconstruction. The ILO has been participating in UN country assessments. "Reports give a harrowing picture of the wholesale destruction of incomes and communities throughout the area. Already, it is clear that the livelihoods of untold numbers of people are, and will remain uncertain for some time. The ILO is making a rapid assessment of the impact of the disaster on workers and employers as a basis for proposals for reconstruction and recovery. Local organizations of employers and workers have been hard hit but are struggling to help their members and the communities in which they live. The ILO will endeavour to offer support to its constituents' efforts. "While the ILO is neither a relief nor an assistance organization, the Office can contribute to the overall reconstruction effort both in the immediate (3 to 6 months), as well as the long term. ILO offices will participate in needs assessment, reconstruction and rehabilitation of infrastructure, housing, and revitalization of local economic activities and livelihood programmes. In addition, the ILO has voiced its special concern for the many orphaned children and the risk they may face of becoming victims of trafficking and the worst forms of child labour. "The ILO is ready to play its part in a global effort, along with the authorities of the countries affected, to assist the communities devastated by this huge natural disaster to recover economically and socially. "The ILO is offering proposals for inclusion in the programmes being prepared by governments and international agencies in the main areas affected. Wherever possible, we are participating in immediate flash appeals. But it is already clear that to meet the needs for which we have relevant expertise we will have to augment our human and financial capacity. To this end, we are convening teams in Geneva and in the region to coordinate assessment of needs, development of proposals and mobilization of human and financial support. "It is vital that the reconstruction effort involve re-establishing jobs, employment and other forms of economic activity. We need to get people back to work quickly to avoid exacerbating already existing and chronic poverty in many of the affected areas. In addition, we are also concerned over the prospect of prolonged unemployment leading to a serious long-term setback to development. The ILO will do all that it can, including mobilizing and redirecting resources to enable us to contribute to the global response." |
© 2005 United Nations Thailand
