General Assembly urges international mobilization for Mexican earthquake relief, reconstruction.

General Assembly urges international mobilization for Mexican earthquake relief, reconstruction

The catastrophic earthquakes which struck Mexico on 19 and 20 September --described as the worst this century in the region--elicited immediate action by the United Nations General Assembly. Its first resolution (40/1) of the fortieth session, adopted unanimously on 24 September, called for international efforts "to counter the devastating effects of the tragedy'.

The Secretary-General was asked "to mobilize resources to contribute to the relief and reconstruction task' undertaken by Mexico. All States were called on to "contribute generously' to those efforts.

Citing the loss of lives, the number of "afflicted persons' and the "enormous destruction wrought by the earthquakes', the Assembly also stated that the "magnitude of the catastrophe' and its long-term effects would require "a demonstration of international solidarity and humanitarian concern' to ensure broad multilateral co-operation to meet the immediate emergency.

The 19 September earthquake, originally reported as registering 7.8 on the Richter scale and subsequently determined to have reached a surface wave magnitude of 8.4, struck at 7.18 a.m. local time. Communications with Mexico City--one of the world's largest cities with a population of 18 million--were cut. Some 36 hours later, a second earthquake of Richter magnitude 7.3 shook the region.

Secretary-General Javier Perez de Cuellar on 19 September, in a telegram to Mexican President Miguel de la Madrid Hurtado, stated he was "deeply distressed' to learn of the earthquake, and assured him the United Nations was at Mexico's disposal to assist it in the emergency and in reconstruction efforts. He also asked the Office of the United Nations Disaster Relief Co-ordinator (UNDRO) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Resident Coordinator in Mexico City to contact the Mexican authorities immediately.

General Assembly President Jaime de Pinies (Spain), in a cable to the Mexican President, conveyed his distress at the news of "casualties and substantial damage in that beloved country'. Mrs. de Pinies, who is Mexican, joined her husband in expressing sympathy and "complete readiness to contribute in every way possible to any international assistance considered necessary', he said. On 20 September Mr. de Pinies, extended deepest sympathy on behalf of all Assembly members.

Following adoption of resolution 40/1, Mexican Foreign Minister Bernardo Sepulveda Amor stated that the moral and material support received from abroad was "not only a sign of esteem', but also "a reflection of the bonds of brotherhood and co-operation we maintain with all nations'. Mexico, he said, found comfort "in the fraternal embrace of the international community'.

UNDRO Co-ordinator M'hamed Essaafi flew to Mexico City on 21 September to evaluate the damage and determine what the United Nations role in assistance could be. During his five-day visit, Mr. Essaafi toured the worst-hit areas of Mexico City and met with Mexican officials, including the Ministers of Interior and of Health and the Deputy Minister of External Relations.

By the end of September, rescue operations were being completed and demolition was beginning. Some 700 rescue teams were still active. It was estimated that 4.5 million tons of debris would have to be removed.

Of the 1.4 million buildings in the city, 411 had been destroyed. Of 1,132 damaged buildings, 417 were to be demolished, 612 were still in use and 103 were to be checked. The official death toll had approached 5,500. Of the 40,000 people still homeless, about half were being assisted in 160 shelters; the remainder were camping near their damaged homes. UNDRO also reported that 97 relief flights from 50 countries had arrived in Mexico.

On 1 October Margaret Joan Anstee, Assistant Secretary-General for Technical Co-operation for Development, was selected as United Nations head-quarters "focal point' to identify the urgent, medium-term and long-term needs for the reconstruction process.

Sympathy expressed: Most countries referred to the tragedy in Mexico during the general debate in the General Assembly, offering expressions of sympathy and solidarity. Panama President Nicolas Ardito Barletta reaffirmed his country's readiness to assist in Mexico's reconstruction "at this time of such serious economic difficulties for Mexico'. Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak said that at such moments "we all, irrespective of our national loyalties, stand in the same trench in the face of dangers and challenges'. France said that the catastrophe was a reminder "that the happiness of men is uncertain and their destiny precarious'.

Canada said that in times of disaster "the world truly becomes a neighbourhood, and our people extend both their prayers and their practical help'. Cameroon said that the reaction of Member States was "indicative of the scope of our collective potential as a body when there is political will'.

The USSR expressed "profound condolences' to Mexico, which "has suffered such a terrible natural disaster, entailing heavy loss of life and tremendous destruction'.

Reporting on 26 September, Disaster Relief Co-ordinator Essaafi said relief supplies had been provided "in sufficient quantities'. "It is evident, however, that considerable assistance in the reconstruction phase will be required', Mr. Essaafi reported.

At a press conference in New York on 27 September, Mexican Foreign Minister Sepulveda Amor expressed gratitude to the international community, including the United Nations, Governments, non-governmental organizations and private citizens, for their generous response after the earthquakes.

By 25 October 1985, contributions in cash, equipment and other donations as reported to UNDRO included $2,000,000 from UNDP, $750,000 from FAO and $330,000 from other United Nations organizations. The World Food Programme donated grain, vegetable oil and dried milk. International voluntary agencies donating were Caritas Internationalis ($424,000); Food for the Hungry ($850,000); and World Vision International ($98,090). The European Economic Community gave $380,000 in cash.

The following countries also made donations: Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Belize, Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, China, Colombia, Cuba, Czechoslovakia, Denmark, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Ethiopia, El Salvador, Finland, France, German Democratic Republic, Germany, Federal Republic of, Greece, Guatemala, Holy See, Honduras, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Korea, Republic of, Monaco, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Norway, Peru, Poland, Portugal, Saudi Arabia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom, United States, USSR, Uruguay, Venezuela, Yugoslavia.

Photo: Rescue workers swarm over a collapsed building in downtown Mexico City the day of the first earthquake, 19 September.

Photo: Bernardo Sepulveda Amor Foreign Minister, Mexico