Introduction
155. At the end of 1978, the refugee population in Latin America was estimated to have increased considerably due mainly to developments in Nicaragua. Although the exact number could not be determined since the extent of the influx in Costa Rica was not known, it was estimated that there was a total of at least 150,000 persons of whom some 80,000 to 110,000 were of Latin American origin. The number of refugees of European origin, most of whom were elderly, decreased, on the other hand from 80,000 to about 70,000 owing to deaths and naturalization.
156. UNHCR was represented in the area by three regional offices covering Northern Latin America (Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua and Panama), North-Western South America (Colombia, Ecuador, Guyana, Peru, Suriname and Venezuela) and Southern Latin America (Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Paraguay and Uruguay).
157. Because of the new refugee problems resulting from events in Nicaragua, UNHCR efforts in Northern Latin America were considerably increased during the last quarter of 1978 in order to provide emergency relief to refugees in Costa Rica, Honduras and Panama. Multipurpose assistance to meet food, temporary shelter and medical requirements was also extended and plans for more durable shelter were drawn up following requests from the Governments concerned.
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158. UNHCR strengthened and diversified its activities in North-Western South America in order to meet the increased needs of the refugees in the area.
159. In Southern Latin America especially, UNHCR assistance activities were directed mainly towards the local settlement of refugees whenever possible and resettlement abroad for those persons from neighbouring countries to whom only temporary asylum was granted. The movement of these refugees to third countries was undertaken with the help of the Intergovernmental Committee for European Migration (ICEM) which arranged transportation.
160. It should be noted that all these assistance activities were accompanied by appropriate protection measures which constituted an essential task in many parts of the continent.
Northern Latin America
161. UNHCR's activities in northern Latin America were considerably expanded in 1978 to meet the needs of an influx of Nicaraguan refugees into Costa Rica, Honduras and Panama following the sudden outbreak of violence in Nicaragua in September. Some 30,000 to 60,000 refugees were estimated to have entered Costa Rica by the end of the year, while 15,000 had arrived in Honduras and 500 in Parama.
162. Following requests from the Governments concerned, UNHCR extended emergency relief to an appreciable number of the needy and took initial measures with regard to longer-term arrangements. In Costa Rica, thanks to the generosity of the Government and various voluntary agencies, only approximately 900 refugees required
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