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7.
...Miss Balfour (BRCS) reported on action taken by the League of Red Cross Societies since 1975. Between 1975/77 six national societies and UNHCR had contributed SW Fr 128,618 in cash and kind and in 1976 an ICRC delegate had visited Afghanistan and had reported that, at that
ime, the Afghan Red Crescent was doing a good job. After recent developments the ICRC had been asked for help by a Committee of Baluchs based in Paris. This request had been passed to the Afghanistan Red Crescent.
Mr. Heidler expressed appreciation of War on Want's action in taking up the cause of these forgotten refugee groups. UNHCR had not been asked for help by either Government. In Pakistan UN had offered assistance through the UNDP programme but there had been no response as yet; in Afghanistan there had also been no reaction.
In this part of the world asylum for refugees was not generally understood as an international commitment. Each country preferred to handle its own problems.
Mrs. Dines had had a visit from a Baluch representing a private group operating from Paris, who had brought photographs which were circulated at the meeting. She felt that Afghan officials might be encouraged to appeal for help to the UNHCR and the ICRC.
It was agreed that the Afghan Government should be encouraged to approach the UNHCR and the Afghan Red Crescent to approach the ICRC for help.
REPORTS ON VISITS
Miss Barbara Bowman (Quaker Peace and Service) reported on a visit to Bangladesh, Burma and Hong Kong. She confirmed that the reception arrangements in Burma for the returnees from Bangladesh were good but she was concerned about what was to happen to the "hard core" of 26,000 refugees expected to remain in Bangladesh were conditions were bad.
In Hong Konь Miss Bowman had had talks with voluntary agencies especially the Lutheran World Federation about the need for educating refugees about the possibility of resettlement overseas. Some representatives of organisations to whom she had spoken had very much welcomed the offer by the UK Government.
ANY OTHER BUSINESS
a)
Refugees from Cambodia
Mr. Heidler agreed to get information for the Committee about refugees from Cambodia.
b)
International Year of the Child
Miss Pearce had proposed that priority should be given to the care and welfare of refugee children within the UK programme for the IYC.
As part of the Children's party to be held in Hyde Park on May. 28th 29th and 30th there was to be an international village at which refugees and ethnic communities were to be represented. This was an opportunity for refugee agencies to demonstrate what they were doing.
A Working Group on A Chance for Tomorrow had been set up by the IYC Association under the Chairmanship of Sir Leslie Kirkley. The Daily Mail had promised £5,000 for prizes.
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