OAS: Existing mechanisms for disaster prevention and response and humanitarian assistance among the Member States

Adopted at the fourth plenary session, held on June 4, 2009, the XXXIX OAS General Assembly, held in San Pedro Sula, Honduras, approved "by general consent" the AG/RES. 2492 (XXXIX-O/09): "Existing Mechanisms for Disaster Prevention and Response and Humanitarian Assistance among the Member States".

This Resolution, presented by the Argentine Republic through the White Helmets Initiative, came as a result of more than a year of hard work, meetings and fundamentally, the interest shown by the Member States Delegations, who have enriched this document with their valuable contributions.

Worried by the increase in disasters "each time more frequent and less natural" and aware of the fact that the Hemisphere needs to count with updated mechanisms, in accordance with both, new realities and the Hyogo Framework for Action, the AG/RES. 2492 proposes:

1. the formation of a joint working group composed of member states' representatives, assisted by technicians and experts.

2. the development of suitable legislation in oder to fasten the provision of humanitarian assistance, a matter concerning all Member States.

3. the analysis of the existent regional mechanisms. The need to update the Inter-American Convention to Facilitate Disaster Assistance (1991) and the lack of consent over its use.

4. the adequation of mechanisms to the Hyogo Framework for Action