37.19Inthoseinstances, Governments ofdisaster-stricken countries need specialized assistance tolaunch anddevelop aconcerted international relief response. Prospective donorsmustbeinformed bythefastest meansofthedamage sustained andoftheactual needsinastricken areaaswellasofthemeasures beingtakentomeetthem,sothatappropriate aidcanreachvictims intheshortest timepossible. Withthetechnological advancement ofcommunications andthe growing awareness oftheglobalpublic, theinternational response todisasters has widened thescopeforreliefefforts. Theincreasing numberofdonors, particularly inthenon-governmental sector, isexpected torenderthetaskof co-ordinating international relief moreessential andcomplex. 37.20Ifinternational aidisnotwellco-ordinated anddonors arenotkept informed ofothercontributions, inadequate supplies maybesenttothedisaster site,thereby causing congestion whileurgent needsofthevictims remain unmet. Lackofon-site co-ordination, aswellasinadequate technical knowledge ofrelief procedures, couldhindertheeffective implementation ofmultilateral relief operations. 37.21 Thus,theobjectives ofthesubprogramme aretoassisttheauthorities of disaster-stricken countries withtheirnational response andtomobilize and co-ordinate international reliefassistance tovictims. Thoseobjectives aretobe achieved ifandwhendisasters occurandinthelightofprevailing circumstances. (b)CourseofactionoftheSecretariat 37.22During theperiod, thefollowing courseofactionwillbeundertaken: (a)On-site assessment ofdamage andneeds,ifnecessary, bymUlti-agency assessment missions: (b)Provision totheinternational community oftimely, accurate and regularly adjusted assessments ofneedsandofsystematically updated records of contributions balanced against reliefrequirements: (c)Organization ofinternational meetings andunified appeals forconcerted relief programmes, takingintoaccount themandates andfunctions ofUnitedNations organizations andofgovernmental andnon-governmental reliefagencies: -6-Q Digitized by Dag Hammarskjöld Library(d)Rapidandcost-effective collection andbroaddissemination of information related todisasters andreliefoperations through advanced communications technology: (e)Provision ofassistance tonational authorities forsearch andrescue operations, reliefco-ordination, supplylogistics anddistribution ofrelief materials atthedisaster site: (f)Granting directassistance intheformofresources andexpertise toa disaster-stricken country inordertomeetpriority emergency needs: (g)Supporting theefforts ofauthorities indonorcountries inthe co-ordination ofgovernmental andnon-governmental responses todisasters abroad: (h)Strengthening co-operation withUNDP,notably atthecountry level, and withotherUnited Nations organizations inallphasesofadisaster, including the transition fromrelieftorehabilitation andreconstruction: (i)Undertaking post-disaster evaluations ofinternational reliefoperations forusebyconcerned authorities andaslearning instruments forapplication in futuredisasters; (j)Supporting reliefefforts ofspecial emergency programmes inmajorand complex disasters; (k)Supporting efforts ofconcerned United Nations organizations providing assistance toaffected countries inreducing theimpactofindustrial, chemical and nuclear disasters; (1)Pursuing consultations andmeetings withthedisaster management community (emergency services indonorandrecipient countries, UnitedNations bodies andnon-governmental organizations), institutions andthemediainorderto enhance international response todisasters: (m)Undertaking research ondisaster reliefissues andcreating datahases on disaster related information andavailable resources andskills: (n)Undertaking evaluations ofinternational reliefoperations, sharing results thereof withconcerned authorities andfollowing upontheexperiences drawnforapplication infuturedisasters. SUBPROGRAMME 2.DISASTER MITIGATION (a)Objectives 37.23 Thelegislative authority forthesUbprogramme isGeneral Assembly
**Analysis**
This text appears to be focused on the response to natural disasters, specifically on the international relief efforts and coordination between governments, non-governmental organizations, and the United Nations. The text highlights the importance of timely and effective relief efforts, as well as the need for coordination and communication between different stakeholders.

**Category**
Humanitarian aid and relief, International relations