A/HRC/28/76 43. Lastly, when human rights violations are a consequence of natural disasters, OHCHR sees the sequence of events as follows: (a) Natural disaster; (b) Humanitarian crisis; (c) Pre-existing human rights issues are exacerbated and new violations as consequences of the disaster; (d) Human rights inform planning and delivery of humanitarian response; (e) Human rights integrated into emergency preparedness plans. VI. International normative framework A. United Nations human rights framework and mechanisms 44. To increase the effectiveness and scope of human rights protection in post-disaster and post-conflict situations, there is a need for a holistic and complementary approach among the different branches of international law: international human rights law, international humanitarian law, refugee law and international criminal law. The international human rights legal framework is composed of specific treaties and soft law that aim to protect people affected by natural disasters and conflicts. As protection is not limited to survival and security in an emergency situation, all relevant guarantees with regard to civil and political rights, as well as economic, social and cultural ones, will contribute to dignify the people affected. 45. Some of the key principles in relation with humanitarian assistance were formulated by the General Assembly in its resolution 43/131 on humanitarian assistance for victims of natural disasters and similar emergency situations, in which the Assembly reaffirmed the sovereignty of affected States and their leadership in humanitarian assistance in their own territories, stressed the important contribution made in providing humanitarian assistance by governmental and non-governmental organizations, and urged States to participate closely with affected countries in international efforts with a view to facilitating the transit of humanitarian assistance. 46. States therefore have the primary responsibility for coordinating humanitarian assistance, and are at least under the moral duty to accept bona fide offers of assistance by States or other relevant organizations. This emphasis on the States’ role does not however, go to the detriment of the role of local communities and the fact that planning for disaster risk reduction should be rather de-centralized and concretized. 47. The Universal Human Rights Index documents a number of concrete recommendations, made in the context of the universal periodic review in relation to humanitarian action in situations of natural disasters, that relate primarily to strengthening or improving measures for disaster reduction and to responding appropriately to emergencies, given the vulnerability of certain countries. Other countries were asked to continue their efforts to strengthen and to share their experience, lessons learned, methods and best practices in prevention and humanitarian response applied and particularly considering providing assistance in case of natural disasters and taking positive steps with regard to climate change. Several recommendations relate to post-conflict situations and to continuing implementation of the Security Council resolutions on women, peace and security; ensuring the rights of children and women and women’s participation in reconstruction and peacebuilding processes; improving access to education; intensifying efforts to prevent, punish and eradicate all forms of violence against women; preventing 13