27 March 2006

Bonn, Germany: Former American President Bill Clinton addressed an audience of government officials, international organizations, and scientists at the Third International Early Warning Conference today in Bonn on the importance of taking pre-emptive measures to mitigate the impacts of natural hazards.

"Hazards only become disasters when lives and livelihoods are swept away," said Mr. Clinton, in his capacity as UN’s Special Envoy for Tsunami Recovery. "Making communities safer — by better managing the risks of natural hazards — must become a global priority."

The former president met with Ad de Raad, Executive Coordinator of the United Nations Volunteers (UNV) programme, in the context of ongoing collaboration between UNV and the office of Special Envoy in support of tsunami recovery and reconstruction activities.

In the discussions, Mr. de Raad underlined the role of UN Volunteers in supporting the work of the Special Envoy for Tsunami Recovery. For example, within the first hours of the 2004 tsunami disaster, UN Volunteers arrived in the affected countries to assist in the coordination of relief efforts. They strengthened the capacity of UN agencies and national counterparts, assessed damage and local needs, and effectively coordinated assistance to the injured and displaced people. UN Volunteers continue to be active throughout the tsunami-affected areas, assisting communities with reconstruction activities.