1
}
A.
CHAPTER VII
RELATIONS WITH OTHER ORGANIZATIONS
Co-operation between UNHCR, the United Nations
and other members of the United Nations system
237. In 1977, UNHCR maintained close co-operation with other members of the United Nations system at the headquarters level and in the field, as regards both the international protection of refugees and material assistance programmes. The Office participated in meetings of the Administrative Committee on Co-ordination (ACC) and the governing bodies of other United Nations agencies and programmes. UNHCR was represented at meetings of United Nations bodies on questions relating directly or indirectly to UNHCR's activities in favour of refugees and displaced persons, such as human rights, migrant workers, technical co-operation among developing countries, procurement in the third world and poverty-oriented rural development. UNHCR was also represented at the first session of the Governing Council of the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) and looks forward to developing close co-operation with this organization, whose activities might have particular relevance to rural settlement programmes for refugees. Members of the United Nations system were represented at sessions of the Executive Committee of the High Commissioner's Programme and at interagency meetings sponsored by UNHCR.
238. In the course of 1977, the United Nations system was concerned with problems of Namibian, South African and Zimbabwean refugees. The Secretary-General sent two interagency missions to assess needs in Botswana, Lesotho and Swaziland, and the recommendations of the missions were taken into account in drawing up programmes of assistance for refugees in the area. In his capacity as co-ordinator within the United Nations system of assistance to South African refugee students, the High Commissioner convened an ad hoc interagency meeting in December 1977 to co-ordinate assistance to refugees in southern Africa as well as plans for future joint action.
239. As in the past, UNHCR continued to benefit from the support of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). In countries where the Office is not directly represented, UNDP resident representatives continued to administer UNHCR projects, and have also acted on behalf of UNHCR through approaches to the authorities on urgent matters. Resident representatives also provide invaluable support to UNHCR field staff, particularly when new offices are opened, through their contacts with the authorities in the country and their knowledge of local customs and conditions. UNHCR representatives throughout the world have likewise co-operated with their counterparts in United Nations programmes on various aspects of their activities, in particular as regards the co-ordination of assistance measures for refugees.
240. In 1977, the World Food Programme (WFP) again supplied millions of dollars worth of foodstuffs in the form of rations for, inter alia, newly arrived refugees in Djibouti, Namibians and displaced persons in Angola, Zimbabweans in Mozambique and Zambia as well as displaced persons in Viet Nam. Whenever a long-term settlement project for a group of refugees is envisaged, a large WFP food component permits UNHCR to invest in assistance other than local food purchase during the transition stage until refugees become self-sufficient. UNHCR and WFP co-operate
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