session, represents a further step towards streamlining and harmonizing the activities of UNHCR.
76. As indicated in annex II, table 1, the total of $111 million expended by UNHCR in 1977 included $23.6 million for the General Programmes and $87.3 million for the Special Programmes. Some $41.4 million were expended in Cyprus, over $35.6 million in Africa, nearly $20 million in Asia, some $5.4 million in Latin America and $2.5 million in Europe (excluding Cyprus).
77. As in the past, the host country in many cases carried a significant part of the burden of assistance to refugees. In addition to the funds provided by UNHCR, sizable supporting contributions were made within the country of asylum, mainly in the form of land and services.
78. The growing diversity of refugee situations called for a wide range of assistance activities and for varying combinations of such activities. Relief assistance, particularly under Special Programmes, represented a major component of assistance programmes and absorbed a sizable share of funds. It was required whenever a large-scale new refugee emergency arose, pending the achievement of durable solutions. This type of assistance also constituted an indispensable element of the Special Programmes for displaced persons, pending their re-establishment.
79. Voluntary repatriation again proved to be the best solution for many refugees, thousands of whom benefited from UNHCR assistance in returning to their homelands in former colonial territories. Small numbers of individual refugees were also assisted in their voluntary repatriation.
80. The need to find resettlement opportunities for ever-growing numbers of refugees, and particularly for those in Asia and Latin America, remained a major preoccupation of UNHCR during 1977. Thanks to the generosity of many Governments, a total of 5,373 refugees were resettled during the year. Large numbers of refugees, however, including handicapped refugees, still await an opportunity to make a new life in a country of permanent settlement. The co-operation of some Governments in admitting refugees in need of urgent resettlement through speedy procedures has proved very useful. It would, however, be helpful if the number of countries able to participate in the resettlement programme for "emergency cases" could be increased, as recommended by the Executive Committee of the High Commissioner's Programme at its twenty-eighth session. 16/
81. Local settlement continued to provide a solution for the great majority of persons of concern to UNIICR, particularly in Africa. This took the form mainly of rural settlement, since the majority of refugees and displaced persons are of an agricultural background. Such assistance measures, although frequently of a long- term nature, are designed to promote the self-sufficiency of the refugees and eventually their integration in the country of asylum.
82. During 1977, educational assistance to refugees was again concentrated mainly on countries in Africa. Of a total of 3,260 refugees who benefited from post- primary educational assistance projects, African refugees represented 92 per cent. Emphasis continued to be placed on vocational training and technical training courses, and refugees are counselled to pursue such training whenever this seems advisable and enrolment in appropriate courses is possible. Special measures were
16/ Ibid., para. 90 D (c).
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