The proposed improved Central Emergency Revolving Fund, which will include a grant element, aims to promote early response in sudden onset crises as well as to strengthen the core elements of humanitarian response in underfunded crises.

Flash appeals were created to provide a rapid response to sudden onset natural disasters and sudden deteriorations of complex emergencies.

In cases of sudden onset disasters or rapid deteriorations in existing humanitarian crises, such a delay hinders the ability of the humanitarian community to save lives in the first days after a disaster strikes.

Since its creation, the Department has faced 108 sudden onset natural disasters and 26 complex emergencies.

With the escalating number of complex emergencies, international attention has been shifting from sudden onset natural disasters.

Recent experiences in sudden onset and other disasters, including the Indian Ocean tsunami, have underscored the critical importance of disaster risk reduction.

That constraint is particularly evident in the case of slow onset crises such as the desert locust problem in the Sahel.

In sudden onset natural disasters, rapid response mechanisms to support Governments of affected States and United Nations disaster management teams have been established.

Disasters may be rapid onset or slow onset.

The large number of often diverse actors creates acute coordination challenges, particularly during the first weeks of the response to a sudden onset disaster.

We believe that a centralized source of rapidly available funding could help effectively address urgent needs in rapid onset emergencies and swiftly deteriorating crises.

The Secretary General apos s report clearly shows that sudden onset natural disasters and similar emergencies continue to be a major preoccupation for the international community.

The services were intended to respond to slow onset disasters such as famine and desertification, as well as to sudden emergencies such as tsunamis, earthquakes and floods.

We also hope the Fund will provide particular support for neglected and sudden onset emergencies, and equally for neglected but most essential programming, such as disaster preparedness.

We welcome the measures that the Department of Humanitarian Affairs is taking to strengthen the potential of the United Nations to react rapidly to sudden onset emergencies.

We are particularly appreciative of the efforts for enhanced United Nations activity in increasing country level capabilities to deal better with natural disasters and sudden onset emergencies.

The Secretary General apos s report once again shows that sudden onset natural disasters and similar emergencies continue to be a major preoccupation for the international community.

Moreover, financial flows to developing countries during the last year had reached levels not seen since the onset of the financial crises of the late 1990s.

Darfur was a slow onset, protracted crisis rather than a rapid onset emergency.

My delegation especially extends full support to enhanced United Nations activity in increasing capacities at the country level, the better to deal with natural disaster and sudden onset emergencies.

The report also cites the case of slow onset crises such as the desert locust problem in the Sahel, where timely action would have saved about 90 million later on.

For the 1994 1995 biennium, WHO has an Emergency Fund of 1 million from which to draw to meet start up and other urgent requirements occurring at the onset of sudden emergencies.

The expected services from Respond would address all parts of the humanitarian crisis cycle and would cover both slow onset crises such as famine and immediate disaster situations such as earthquakes.

Sudden?

And that was the onset of ALS.

Sudden Winds

According to United States data, 2004, for about 65 of men and 47 of women, the first symptom of cardiovascular disease is myocardial infarction (heart attack) or sudden death (death within one hour of symptom onset.

Sudden, wasn't it?

It's too sudden.

Crises occur.

The onset of global warming, however, has changed everything.

15. Recognizes, in this regard, that the United Nations Disaster Assessment and Coordination system continues to be a valuable tool by which disaster management expertise is made available by Member States to respond to the sudden onset of emergencies

16. Recognizes, in this regard, that the United Nations Disaster Assessment and Coordination system continues to be a valuable tool by which disaster management expertise is made available by Member States to respond to the sudden onset of emergencies

Given the death toll and destruction caused by sudden onset natural disasters, there is a need for more concerted international actions in contingency planning, preventive and preparedness measures and early warning to reduce the catastrophic consequences of natural disasters.

All of a sudden?

It was so sudden...

All of a sudden,

All of a sudden...

It was very sudden.

All of a sudden

But... it's so sudden!

Wasn't that sudden? Very.

Such a sudden visit.

It was so sudden.

It was very sudden.