TNAG-0793-FCO40-997-Refugees-from-Vietnam-in-Hong-Kong-Vietnamese-boat-people-1978 — Page 332

230. A UNHCR Branch Office was opened in Portugal during the period under review for the purpose of co-ordinating assistance to displaced persons from former Portugu territories, not in possession of Portuguese nationality, and to other groups of concern to UNHCR.

231. A total of $1,822,000 was expended by UNHCR in various European countries in 1977 under its General Programmes and over $700,000 under the Special Programmes.

Kang

B. United Nations humanitarian assistance for Cyprus

232. At the request of the Secretary-General, the High Commissioner continued throughout 1977 to act as co-ordinator of United Nations humanitarian assistance for Cyprus a function he has performed since August 1974, following the events of that summer in the island. This assistance was required to bring continued help to persons who were still displaced and in need, including some 155,500 Greek Cypriots, 37,250 Turkish Cypriots and 700 Maronite Cypriots.

The

233. With the continued help of WHO, WFP and the United Nations Peace-keeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP), further substantial supplies of food and medical consignments have been made available throughout the island. Further measures were also taken to reactivate farms, small businesses and local crafts, and to promote a number of low-cost housing projects to replace the temporary accommodation used hitherto. needs of groups, such as the very young, the handicapped and the old, requiring specific forms of assistance once more received the special attention of the co-ordinator. Contributions pledged to the United Nations programme in Cyprus through UNHCR totalled nearly $100 million, including contributions in kind, as at 31 March 1978.

234. Major financial commitments for these various forms of assistance, totalling over $41.4 million in 1977, included $19,466,306 for shelter, $3,510,636 for medical supplies, $3,015,000 for local purchase of food to supplement over 3,950 tons of provisions in kind, $2,980,001 for supplementary assistance to diverse groups, $2,839,157 for the construction and equipment of educational facilities, $2,007,236 for agriculture and $503,294 for transport, including purchase of vehicles. various forms of assistance were financed from generous contributions again made available by donors wishing to channel their assistance through UNHCR.

These

235. Although the situation of displaced and needy persons in Cyprus improved in the course of the year, the continued need for humanitarian assistance led the Secretary-General to request the High Commissioner to continue his role of co-ordinator.

236. Further information concerning humanitarian activities carried out by the United Nations in Cyprus in the course of 1977 may be found in the relevant chapters of the progress reports submitted by the Secretary-General to the Security Council in the months of June (S/12342) and December (S/12463).

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