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Yesterday morning the High Commissioner said of the refugees "their numbers are increasing, their tragedies burst upon the everyday scene and their sufferings reach new dimensions". As I heard those words I could not help thinking of the last time I was here my- self two decades ago at the end of the World Refugee Year. It seemed then that this was a problem that was gradually on its way out. How different it has become. Today one cannot but be appalled at the way the world has spawned so much human suffering. formidable ch llenge.
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In this context I wish to say that successive British Governments, including the present Administration, have been active supporters of the UNHCR and have demonstrated this support with close day-to-day cooperation and substantial contributions in terms both of resettlement places and financial help. I wish to renew today, Mr Chairman, the assurance of the firm support of the British Government in tackling the difficult tasks ahead.
It is a sobering thought that the budget of UNHCR has grown nearly threefold in the brief period since the 1979 target of $87 million was endorsed by the Executive Committee last year. This increase is only possible because of the increased contributions from the relatively small number of governments which shoulder much of the financial burden. So far during 1979 the UK has contributed nearly $14 million. That does not include our share of the contribution of the European Community. Our contribution to the 1980 General Programme will be announced at the pledging conference in New York next month. My Government believe that it is essential that the number of governments contributing to UNHCR should be increased. I hope that the world's awareness of the refugee problem, which has grown so greatly in the past year, will be reflected in the pledges made at that
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