United Nations Inter - Agency appeal for emergency relief to flood victims in China

ABSTRACT

In response to a request from the Government of China, the United Nations system in China launched an International Appeal for Flood Emergency Relief and Immediate Rehabilitation on 23 September 1998. The objective of the United Nations Inter - Agency Appeal was to facilitate the coordination of international assistance to the Chinese Government as a result of the massive 1998 summer floods. The appeal received an overwhelming response from the international donor community. More than US$ 110 million were provided against the appeal of US$ 139 million. Relief programmes have been successfully implemented by the UN agencies reaching millions of vulnerable flood victims in all 7 of the most affected provinces. Some programmes were under - funded while other programmes attracted more funds than appealed for. Some contributions were separately negotiated between the Chinese Government and international donors; and the assistance provided was not always consistent with the priorities identified in the UN Appeal. The United Nations Disaster Management Team ensured a coordinated implementation of the UN Appeal efforts and became the focal point for international assistance. Government counterparts were involved at all levels to facilitate implementation and reporting of UN channeled assistance. The Government also matched international assistance, in particular food aid, with national resources to enable the immediate implementation of the emergency relief programme. Problems encountered included the often - unavoidable delays in accessing disaster areas and transferring funds form donors to and within the UN system. Despite the importance of disaster mitigation, in proved easier to mobilize funds for emotionally driven relief responses that were strongly associated with the immediate event, than for longer-term disaster reduction needs. (AU)