TNAG-1543-FCO40-2107-United-Nations-High-Commissioner-for-Refugees-(UNHCR)-Execut-1986 — Page 22

FCO40 Hong Kong Department Records 聯邦事務部香港部檔案 All

involvement of the international community in this regard. Another speaker called for the extension of the principles of the International Conference beyond Africa.

70. The vital importance of collaborating with UNDP and the World Bank in appropriate projects was underlined by several speakers. One speaker stressed that appropriate UNHCR projects should in due course be transferred to development agencies. Some delegations, however, questioned the feasibility of including refugee projects in national development plans; two speakers disagreed with the concept in principle. While many delegations urged greater co-operation among multilateral agencies to link refugee aid and development, one speaker reiterated support for bilateral projects. Another speaker expressed concern at the lack of support from UNHCR for settlements which had been "handed over". A number of recurring costs remained for which the principles of international burden-shar ing ought to apply. One delegation suggested the implementation of a consortium approach with a number of development agencies to avoid this problem. speaker offered to share with the Office his country's experience in development-oriented self-sufficiency and resettlement programmes.

Another

71.

F.

Specific areas

(Items 4, 6 and 7 of the agenda)

1. Africa

Introducing UNHCR programmes in his region, the Head of the Africa Bureau reiterated the principles on which UNHCR programmes in the continent were founded. He summarized major recent developments with regard to the programmes in the Central African Republic, Chad, Djibouti, Ethiopia, Somalia, southern Africa, the Sudan, Uganda and Zaire, stressing that none would have been possible without the hospitality of African States and individuals towards refugees.

72.

A number of speakers expressed grave concern about the situation in southern Africa and in particular the destabilizing policies followed in the region by the Government of South Africa. Several delegations welcomed UNHCR's preparedness measures in this respect and urged further action within the United Nations system to improve co-ordination and contingency planning for a potential influx into southern Africa. The observer of the OAU sought UNHCR's support in setting up an ad hoc preparatory committee to prepare an international conference on the southern African refugee situation. The observers of SWAPO and the ANC described the problems of refugees assisted by their movements and requested support for the maintenance and extension of projects aimed at ensuring the refugee

self-sufficiency. Another observer urged UNHCR to promote protection of Mozambicans in South Africa. One delegation expressed concern over the growing number of refugees from Mozambique in Swaziland, particularly in the strained economic situation. He expected this was likely to worsen and called for UNHCR assistance. Similar calls for assistance were made in respect of Zambia and Zimbabwe.

73.

One speaker, referring to the refugee situation in the United Republic of Tanzania, pointed out the level of assistance provided by the Government and identified priority areas for UNHCR's attention. Another speaker contested the UNHCR figures for refugees in Ghana and called upon the High Commissioner to request a new census and registration of refugees and asylum-seekers in Western Africa and in Ghana in particular. He also reiterated the call made in 1984 by the

-18-

Comments

Approved members can add comments, bookmarks, and private notes.

No comments yet.

Private Research Note

Private notes are available after approval.