A/34/627
English Annex I Page 6
27.
E.
Material assistance and financial implications
UNHCR has supported in a major way the boat and land cases in the countries of first asylum of South-East Asia, has provided assistance to refugees and displaced persons in Viet Nam and is in contact with the Chinese authorities with regard to assistance to those in China.
28. The support offered in the countries of South-East Asia has covered basic food supplies, in some cases with WFP assistance and shelter, including the construction of centres, medical care and other essential facilities. The level of assistance takes account of the special needs of the beneficiaries, as well as of the conditions of the local populations. To date, some $US 95 million has been provided by UNHCR for this purpose and for resettlement costs, and monthly expenditures for its programmes are currently some $US 10 million.
29. The programme has either been implemented through governmental bodies, such as the special organization set up within the Thai Ministry of Interior, or non-governmental organizations, such as the Malaysian Red Crescent Society. Governments have made available land and varying facilities for the centres.
30. Many non-governmental and voluntary organizations have provided vital direct assistance to the refugees and displaced persons in the region and have played an indispensable part in the resettlement process in receiving countries. Some Governments have funded travel costs for resettlement directly, but UNHCR has provided over $US 20 million for internal and international travel, the latter largely organized through the Inter-Governmental Committee for European Migration (ICEM).
31.
Since the problem began four years ago, there has been a major increase in the UNHCR staff in the region. In addition to the material assistance programme, UNHCR is involved in the registration of cases, organization of interviews, processing and many other assets of the resettlement operation, for which each family or individual has a separate file. Programme support costs have been some 6 per cent of total expenditure.
32.
International financial assistance has generally not been lacking and the circle of contributing countries has widened. b/ However, the rapid influx and the unsatisfactory locations of several major centres has sometimes made swift response difficult. Given the increase in numbers, greatly increased financial support will be required by UNHCR to meet the needs of the situation. On 30 June 1979, and on the basis of the present case-load and programme, the projected shortfall for 1979 was some $US 50 million.
b/ Details of contributions to UNHCR are given in annex II below.
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