UN General Assembly Calls for Assistance to Bolivia, El SalvadorPresident of the 55th Session of the United Nations General Assembly Harri Holkeri on Wednesday extended to the governments and peoples of El Salvador and Bolivia his deep sympathy for the tragic loss of lives and extensive material damage resulting from another earthquake in El Salvador and the recent floods in Bolivia.Holkeri also urged the international community to demonstrate its solidarity by responding promptly and generously to any requests from the two countries for assistance in their present plight. Meanwhile, the General Assembly adopted without a vote this morning an orally amended resolution on assistance to Bolivia that has experienced flooding in recent months. By that resolution, the General Assembly urged all UN member states, specialized agencies and other organizations and organs of the United Nations system, together with international financial institutions and non-governmental organizations, to continue responding generously to Bolivia in its emergency. Heavy rains over the past few weeks caused flooding and landslides in the northern part of Bolivia, resulting in heavy loss of human life and immeasurable material destruction. An estimated 40,000 families lost their homes, and over 200,000 people were displaced. On Tuesday, El Salvador was hit by an earthquake measuring 6.6 on the Richter scale, the second in a month which killed at least 173 people and injured more others. |
| People's Daily Online --- http://english.peopledaily.com.cn/ |