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these refugees in their country of first, or temporary asylum, is such that resettlement is the only viable long-term solution. Sadly, the restrictive social and economic.conditions in which many refugees have to live have, too often, caused psychological and physical deterioration which today constitutes in itself a valid criterion of urgency in the need for resettlement. Needless to say, we continue to make every effort to find resettlement opportunities within the region, but the response locally has been limited. Inevitably, therefore, I turn to Governments that have already helped us so considerably. A concerted effort, particularly in regard to refugees who cannot stay in Argentina, could solve a present major problem.. which has persisted too long.
Very recently, Mr. Chairman, we have been alerted to new problems in Central America. We have assured the Governments that have requested our humanitarian help in coping with refugee influxes, that we shall do our best to be of assis- tance. As a first step, and to meet immediate needs, we have already made an allocation from our fmergency Fund. We are presently examining, in consultation with others, what else can be done to assist.
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In Europe, Mr. Chairman, our offices continue to perform valuable functions, notably in the field of international protection. Additionally, however, many European countries are faced with new problems, resulting either from the organized resettlement of large numbers of non-European refugees, or the sudden arrival of asylum-seekers, many being from other Continents. While allocations for our work in Europe are minimal, I cannot adequately stress the importance that I attach to the work of my colleagues in this Continent not least in assuring continuing understanding of our efforts, and support for our work, which is so generously expressed in both moral and material terms. Additionally, recent developments in Portugal and Spain, including accession to our principal legal instruments, require us to strengthen our contacts with these two countries.
Mr. Chairman, I should now like to turn to the financing of UNHCR's programmes. In January, soon after I took up my post. I was told that the total expenditures of the Office, in 1977, had been $ 111 million and that similar expenditures might be required of us in 1978. I was also told that the budget for the General
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