Secretary-General outlines Commonwealth support after Indian Ocean earthquake disaster

Commonwealth Secretary-General Don McKinnon today issued the following statement on yesterday's Indian Ocean earthquake and its after-effects:

"The earthquake and resulting tsunamis have caused a humanitarian tragedy of epic proportions. Of the seven most affected countries, five are Commonwealth members: Bangladesh, India, Malaysia, Maldives and Sri Lanka. Our thoughts and prayers are with them all." 

"This tragedy therefore has a strong Commonwealth dimension to it, and our 53 member countries around the world are responding accordingly.

"I have already expressed the support, concern and condolences of the whole Commonwealth community at this time of destruction and loss. We continue to share a sense of common grief even as we now turn to helping repair shattered lives and homes. We are taking three further measures.

"First, I have put in place today a personal appeal to other Commonwealth Governments, as well as to the wider international community, to mobilise emergency disaster relief. This can be in the form of temporary shelter, food, clothing, medical supplies, or whatever other support the disaster relief agencies in the countries concerned identify as a priority.

"Secondly, in the coming weeks, I will be tasking the Commonwealth Secretariat's development experts to examine ways to make direct contributions as well as mobilising the support of others for reconstruction efforts - including restoration of clean water, sanitation and electricity supplies.

"Thirdly, we are looking at what must be done in the longer term, both in terms of providing ongoing support where it is needed, and in strengthening our advance preparedness for these kinds of natural disasters.

"For instance, I am co-sponsoring a meeting of representatives from the Caribbean, Indian and Pacific Oceans on 13 January 2005at the small islands summit in Mauritius. I am working now to use that meeting to examine ways in which the existing disaster management networks and initiatives in the Commonwealth can be strengthened. We need to ensure that all disaster management expertise and resources available in the world today are better co-ordinated and better used for the benefit of all."

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