CHAPTER VIII
FINANCING OF MATERIAL ASSISTANCE ACTIVITIES
A. Introduction
262. As mentioned throughout this report, 1977 witnessed a large growth in refugee problems, necessitating an increase of some $6 million in the 1977 General Programmes, bringing the target to $24,320,000, and the establishment of a financial target of $35,209,000 for the 1978 General Programmes.
263. The Executive Committee of the High Commissioner's Programme, at its twenty-eighth session in October 1977, drew attention to UNHCR's increasing financial requirements and urged all Governments to participate in the financing of the High Commissioner's humanitarian activities and to increase substantially the level of their contributions. 20/ This concern was reiterated at a special meeting of permanent representatives in Geneva of States members of the Executive Committee, convened by the High Commissioner in January 1978 to discuss the critical financial situation facing UNHCR with regard to its 1978 programmes.
264. Thanks to the generosity of some Governments, which made further substantial contributions, the shortfall in the original target of the 1978 programmes was considerably reduced by 31 March 1978. With an increasing influx of refugees and the emergence of new refugee situations in the first quarter of 1978, however, UNHCR's financial situation has remained serious, and considerable efforts are required to assure the funding of essential UNHCR assistance projects in 1978.
265. Table 3 of annex II shows contributions to the UNHCR General and Special Programmes for the years 1977 and 1978, which were paid or pledged as at 31 March 1978.
266. Total expenditures for all UNHCR assistance activities in 1977, comprising both the General and Special Programmes, amounted to $110,972,000.
B. General Programmes
267. Total contributions from Governments, United Nations agencies and voluntary organizations towards the revised financial target of $24,320,000 for the 1977 General Programmes amounted to $20,494,914. These contributions, together with balances from previous years' programmes, ensured the full financing of the 1977 General Programmes.
268. A financial target of $35,209,000 for the 1978 General Programmes was approved by the Executive Committee of the High Commissioner's Programme at its twenty-eighth session. As at 31 March 1978, contributions totalling $22,927,257 had been announced.
20/ See Official Records of the General Assembly, Thirty-second Session, Supplement No. 12A (A/32/12/Add.1), para. 105 (c), (d) and (e).
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