Topic: Long-Term Rebuilding Strategy Following Natural Disaster
Country: France
Delegate Name: John Kim
School: Forest Hills Northern High School
Topic page: background guide and all position papers All France position papers GLIMUN 2011 committees
Natural disasters can happen to any country. After the disaster which occurred in Japan, the Republic of France realizes that no country, developed or undeveloped, is immune to the effects of natural disasters. With recent disasters in Japan, Haiti, and Southeast Asia, it is obvious that we must be prepared to help our fellow countries whenever and wherever disaster may strike.
The Republic of France is proud to say that it has been very active in providing aid wherever disaster has struck. Just recently for Japan, the Republic of France sent equipment for radiation protection and monitoring, trailers for atmospheric control and trucks for environmental measurement, pumps, air compressors and mobile generators. In addition, humanitarian resources provided by the Crisis Center of French Foreign Ministry, sent thousands of blankets, hundreds of thousands of bottles of water, over one million respirators, and a countless amount of food and medicines. France also had two rescuing detachments composed of over 100 persons working in Japan. The French Republic also contributes some 18% of the European Union’s development aid, and participates in the multilateral aid programs of the development banks and the United Nations.
The French Republic has been generous in sending aid not only to countries hit by natural disasters, but also by countries in need of aid due to a lack of development. Just in sub-Saharan African countries, the French Republic supports over 500 developmental projects each year.
It is very easy to see that the Republic of France is very willing to help those in need, and France will continue to help those in need.In the future, the French Republic plans to continue to be one of the leaders in aid in the world, and it hopes that all member states of the UN will continue to support those countries in need as well.
For future reconstruction of disaster-torn countries, the French Republic believes that the UN should make a committee for each disaster (similar to the Haiti Committee) which should deliberate and set a course of action on how best to deal with the reconstruction. A different committee should be made for each disaster since every country’s situation is different. It would be up to the member states of the UN and also aid programs such as the Red Cross, to fund the plans put forward by the committee. The committee should include representatives from some of the major aid contributing countries, and of course at least one representative from the country in need of aid. It would be up to the committee to determine the best course of action for the sustainable reconstruction of the country.
Although natural disasters at the magnitude of the earthquake in Japan does not occur often, it is the belief of the French Republic that the UN should be prepared and ready to help wherever that help is needed.
