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 Media Centre
Former U.S. president Bill Clinton urges key actors to sustain and strengthen efforts at tsunami recovery
22 September 2005
Washington D.C., 22 September 2005 - Former U.S. President Bill Clinton convened the key players in the tsunami recovery effort today to take
stock of the recovery effort and address issues of ongoing concern. Among the participants attending President Clinton's Global Consortium on
Tsunami Recovery were World Bank President Paul Wolfowitz, heads of UN agencies, the International Federation of the Red Cross (IFRC), members
of the non-governmental (NGO) community, and ministers and senior representatives from the affected countries and donor countries."Nine months after the devastating tsunami, we must sustain and strengthen our collective efforts at recovery throughout the region. While much of the attention of the world is focused elsewhere, the affected Asian governments are really only beginning a long and complex reconstruction process. We will continue to stand by them. We must tackle the tough issues with the same determination and drive that characterized the immediate aftermath to the crisis," the former President said. President Clinton applauded progress made to date, including the establishment of national recovery plans with dedicated institutions for implementation; the commitment of governments to develop transparent, on-line financial tracking systems and common indicators to track the recovery effort; and progress on a region-wide early warning system that is expected to be up and running within a year. At the same time, logistical and capacity constraints continue to impose serious challenges to recovery. In India, Sri Lanka and Indonesia thousands of teachers and civil servants lost their lives in the tsunami and critical transport systems and other infrastructure were destroyed in those countries, as well as in the Maldives and Thailand. In Aceh, which experienced the greatest loss of life, tens of thousands of displaced persons are still living in inadequate facilities and have little or no access to jobs. Speaking about Aceh, President Clinton said, "I understand the frustration of the people of Aceh and saw for myself the difficult living conditions in my visit to the region earlier this year. It will take some time to overcome existing bottlenecks, but I am committed to improving the immediate living conditions of all displaced tsunami victims as we pursue longer term reconstruction and development." With those goals in mind, President Clinton said that the Global Consortium members have endorsed a plan of action for improved transitional shelters. The plan will bring together the Government of Indonesia, UN agencies and non-governmental organizations in a coordinated program to procure, deliver and construct thousands of newer and improved facilities. The Global Consortium also endorsed a range of measures to sustain momentum in the longer term recovery effort. These include: . An international effort to assist national governments in promoting livelihoods through entrepreneurship and skills training Over one million people lost their jobs as a result of the tsunami. Those who were the hardest hit by the tsunami fall out of the formal economy - they are fishermen, farmers and people running small enterprises. The World Bank, the United Nations Development Program, the International Organization for Migration, and a range of NGOs will coordinate with local governments on micro-credit programs, vocational training and the replacement of equipment for entrepreneurs and skilled workers. . Promoting local government capacity The region lost thousands of teachers and civil servants. Local governments in tsunami affected countries are struggling with the challenges of reconstruction. The United Nations and other donors will provide funds so that both governments can substantially increase the cadre of personnel in localities - at the district, sub-district and village levels - engaged in reconstruction. . Encouraging a broader vision of recovery The tsunami has provided the affected governments with the chance to "build back better " by going beyond the simple repair of facilities destroyed by the tsunami. Through the Global Consortium, many donors have agreed to define broadly the category of eligible beneficiaries, so that assistance to the affected populations does not exacerbate inequities. For example, a broader vision of recovery in Sri Lanka and Aceh must take account of the needs of persons displaced by conflict. For further information please contact: Jehane Sedky-Lavandero, Office of the Special Envoy for Tsunami Recovery, Tel. +212 906-6904, jehane.sedky@undp.org |
© 2005 United Nations Thailand
