Check against delivery

Mr. Chairman,

When the tsunami hit the beaches of the Indian Ocean on 26 December, no one could imagine the impact it would have. Now we know that this disaster is among the worst in recent history. It has affected us all deeply. Hundreds of thousands of people have lost their dear ones. The suffering of the people living on the coastlines of Indian Ocean goes beyond our imagination. Nationals from other countries who were visiting these areas were also affected.

In Norway we, too, are in mourning for the loss of family and friends. But, it is the countries directly affected that - by far - are carrying the heaviest burden. On behalf of the Norwegian people and the Norwegian Government, I offer my deepest condolences.

We know that the impact of the tsunami will continue to be felt for a long time. The estimated cost of the devastation is in billions of dollars, but the cost to the communities that have been wiped out is impossible to measure. Hundreds of thousands of people have lost their livelihoods. Most of them are poor people with very little reserves of any kind. Hence, long-term commitments from the international community are of vital importance. We must help to rebuild livelihoods and communities. We must be aware of the particular needs of women and children. We must all work together for our joint efforts to have maximum effect.

A huge number of countries are contributing generously. I am encouraged by the mobilization of so many good forces all over the world. The compassion shown by millions of individuals is particularly heartwarming.

Norway strongly welcomes this important Summit. The massive pledges of assistance, and the growing number of donors and NGOs wanting to extend their programmes, represent a great challenge to a successful aid delivery. Effective co-ordination of the international response at all levels, based on actual needs, is imperative. Norway would welcome the establishment of coordinating mechanisms and multidonor funds. The international community and the affected countries must work together to succeed, both in the immediate and the longer term.

Speedy disbursement of pledges will be crucial, as will a seamless transition from humanitarian assistance to rehabilitation, reconstruction and long-term development. In fact, these efforts must overlap.

We must also consider ways of improving the systems for preventing and limiting the effects of natural disasters like tsunamis. Early warning systems must be improved, but we should also consider how to make societies more resilient. The World Congress on Disaster Prevention in Japan later this month is a first opportunity to pursue this issue in more concrete terms.

It is critical that the assistance we now provide is additional, and is not given at the expense of poor and suffering people in other parts of the world. Norway has already disbursed NOK 100 million, or approximately USD 16.5 million, in humanitarian assistance. The Norwegian government has decided to provide another NOK 1 billion, which is approximately USD 165 million. This is an extra budgetary allocation for humanitarian assistance, rehabilitation and development in the affected areas.

In addition, Norwegian individuals and private companies have so far contributed close to NOK 380 million, or USD 62 million. This bears witness to the concern of the Norwegian people for the victims of this catastrophe.

Thank you for your attention.