M
-3-
1978 figure be "siphoned-off" to the centre.
(e) Or, the centre could be conceived as a staging area for those who have already been accepted for resettlement elsewhere, but who for technical reasons, such as delays in arranging sponsorships - are physically awaiting departure.
(f) If only for (e), the question arises whether such cases cannot be moved directly to countries of resettlement, where sponsorship processing can be completed, rather than be moved from existing camps to a staging-centre (it may be recalled, for example, that France and various other countries, move their "cases" directly to staging centres on their territory, from where the refugees are distributed further; likewise, in 1975, the United States moved evacuees to Guam, and thence to staging centres in the United States, a practice since discontinued).
(iv) What should be the facilities in a special centre? Clearly, these
too would be related to (ii) and (iii); obviously, though, they would need to include certain basic facilities: adequate fresh water, shelter - either existing or to be constructed, road and small harbour/jetty facilities, landing strips, electricity, etc. The costs would depend on the answers to (ii) and (iii). The question would then arise, would governments be prepared to guaran- tee the covering of such costs? If so, could a formula for apportioning costs be agreed upon?
(v) Who should exercise jurisdiction over the centre? A distinction may need to be made between security and law and order functions on the one hand, and care and maintenance, processing etc. on the other. Could the division of functions, as relating to existing camps, be followed?
the host government being in charge of security, law and order, over-all administration;
- the international community, working through UNICR, being responsible for ensuring essential supplies, which are then dis- tributed by the host government, voluntary agencies, etc.
of
- the resettlement countries actually doing the processing of cases for onward-movement, on the basis of initial data compiled by UNHCR.
As a related consideration, could resettlement countries depute staf to live and work in the centre?
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.