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subsidiary organs, intergovernmental and non-governmental
bodies assisting displaced populations which are victims of
man-made or natural disasters have little or no contact with
those bodies whose responsibility it is to address the causes. In this, as in other domains, effective co-ordination remains a chronic problem despite the existence of studies and committees dealing with streamlining and restructuring.
128. As the overview of exodus situations of the past decade demonstrates,
large-scale humanitarian emergencies have consistently been met by ad hoc
measures and the designation of "focal points" or "lead
agencies", as well as the appointment of a co-ordinator or special representative of the Secretary-General whose responsi- bility did not
not specifically extend to a liaison function, in
the case of mass exodus, between the "refugee-producing"
country ("cause") and the "refugee-receiving" countries and/or
corresponding humanitarian operations ("effect").
129. The international community is increasingly concerned with
causes behind mass exodus and measures to avert new flows of
refugees. The General Assembly, at its last session, dealt
inter alia with this question in Resolution 36/148. This
resolution calls for the Group of Experts to take into account the Study submitted by the Special Rapporteur. It is hoped
that the
the two undertakings will be complementary, bearing in
mind the distinct history and terms of reference of each
initiative. In a wider context, attention should be drawn
also to the General Assembly Resolution 36/136 on the proposal
for the promotion of a New International Humanitarian Order.