General observations

20. During the period under review, the Office of the High Commissioner, in additon to completing projects initiated under the former United Nations Refugee Fund, has put into implementation the series of current UNHCR programmes for 1959, for which the Executive Committee of the High Commissioner's Programme fixed a minimum target of $4,700,000. The Office has also started the implementation of the current UNHCR programmes for 1960 for which the Executive Committee approved projects up to $9,500,000 out of a total exceptionally high target fixed at $12,000,000 for 1960 on the occasion of World Refugee Year.

21. Within the 1959 as well as the 1960 current UNHCR programmes, priority has further been given to the Ear Eastern Programme and to the Camp Clearance Programme. The target for 1960 also includes projects of some size to benefit non-settled, preferably handicapped, refugees living outside camps, for whom a small amount only could be allocated in previous years.

22. In the programme outline for the current 1961 programmes, for which the Executive Committee approved a tentative target of $6,000,000, the problem is approached on a country basis. A material assistance programme will be developed for those countries where further material assistance will be provided to non-settled refugees living outside camps.

23. At the end of 1959, a total of some 38,500 refugees had been firmly settled since 1955 under the various UNHCR programmes. Approximately 10,000 refugees became firmly settled during 1959. The results of the current UNHCR programmes combined with the effects of voluntary repatriation, resettlement and various forms of spontaneous integration have resulted in a reduction of the number of non-settled refugees in Europe and in the other areas which come within the scope of the current UNHCR programmes to approximately 115,000 including a registered caseload of over 21,000 refugees still in camps,[2] and an estimated 94,000 non-settled refugees living outside camps. These number include refuges who are to benefit from projects in the 1959 programmes which are still under implementation, and from the 1960 programmes.

Camp Clearance Programme

24. The Programme for camp clearance is now under full implementation. Additional contributions were received on the occasion of World Refugee Year and particular interest was shown in camp clearance by a number of national WRY committees. Provided the contributions anticipated from WRY campaigns materialize, the funds required from international sources for camp clearance will be available in the course of the year. The Office aims at concluding before the end of 1960 the financial arrangements which should enable all refugees coming within the scope of the Programme to establish themselves outside camps in the course of 1961 or a few month later. The scope of camp clearance has been enlarged by a Fund for Special Hardship Cases designed to enable the Office of the High Commissioner to provide solutions also for those refugees in camps who, for technical reasons. Do not come under the terms of reference of the Camp Clearance Programme and do not receive assistance under any other programme.

25. The position of refugees in camps has improved under the influence of better over-all economic conditions. More refugees than hitherto have been employed and, although employment of refugees is often marginal from an economic point of view, it facilitates their integration into their new environment once they are enabled to leave the camp through the provision housing. The major problem has continued to be the provision of housing at sufficiently low rents. Efforts are being made both to avoid putting refugees in a better position than comparable groups of the national population and yet to make it possible for refugees to afford, notwithstanding their marginal employment position, the rent for adequate accommodation. In Austria and in Germany, the rent problem was solved for a number of refugees through the co-operation of UNHCR and the local public relief authorities which, under existing laws and regulations, cover the cost of low rent housing for public welfare beneficiaries. A number of other difficulties of a local nature have currently to be faced in respect of housing, including that of finding building ground in industrial areas.

26. A second main problem of camp clearance has continued to be the finding of permanent solutions for a number of specially handicapped cases. With the assistance of experts, efforts are being made to find new solutions on the basis of more intensive specialized counselling and through additional rehabilitation arrangements.

27. During 1959, the total number of refugees within the mandate of UNHCR living in camps decreased from 31,000 to 21,000. The decrease of 10,000 was mainly due to a reduction of 5,500 persons in the caseload of the Camp Clearance Programme, primarily through local integration schemes, and, further, to resettlement of several thousands of refugees from camps, including refugees newly arrived during the year, in other countries.

28. The number of new Hungarian refugees in camps in Austria decreased from 5,000 to 1,800, partly under the impact of further resettlement movements and partly as a result of the special permanent solutions programme for Hungarian refugees. Further details on this programme are given in annex VII A to this report.

29. In certain countries, the camps are inhabited, not only by refugees coming within the mandate of UNHCR, but also by former, now naturalized, refugees or by “national refugees." Increasing attention has been given to these groups on the occasion of World Refugee Year, and the High Commissioner has already had occasion to make available his good offices under the terms of General Assembly resolution 1388 (XIV) for the transmission of contributions for financing national programmes designed to clear camps also of camp residents who do not come within the competence of his Office.

Far Eastern Programme

30. The Office has continued to carry out, in conjunction with the Inter-Governmental Committee for European Migration, the Far Eastern Programme, which is designed to resettle in other countries of asylum an estimated 7,800 refugees of European origin still living in the Far East. A total of 1,519 refugees were transported to countries of permanent asylum in 1959.

31. Meanwhile, the Office has continued to search for resettlement opportunities for refugees of European origin from the Far East, including placement with permanent care in institutions for aged and otherwise physically handicapped refugees.

Non-settled refugees living outside camps

32. Whereas in previous years little attention could be given to non-settled refugees living outside camps in view of the priority given to the Camp Clearance Programme, current UNHCR programmes for 1960 include, within the framework of the exceptional target of $12,000,000, a programme of $6,570,000 for non-settled refugees living outside camps. Similarly, the target of $6,000,000 fixed by the Executive Committee of the High Commissioner's Programme for the current 1961 programmes concerns mainly projects for assistance to non-settled refugees living outside camps in Europe and neighbouring areas.

33. The implementation of the programmes for assistance to non-settled refugees living outside camps which are already approved, as well as the planning of future programmes for this category, reflect the new policy directives established by the Executive Committee at its third session upon the recommendation of an ad hoc Working Party.[3] The Executive Committee confirmed the principle whereby international assistance should be provided for non-settled refugees living outside camps on the basis of both the degree of their needs and the possibility of assistance being given to them from within their country of residence. As the principle that first priority should be given to physically handicapped refugees had previously been approved, the Committee decided at its third session that the next priority group would be the socially handicapped refugees in areas whether they required assistance. Assistance should be afforded to refugees in this category on the basis of individual permanent solutions projects and in accordance with precise selection criteria to be established by the Office of the High Commissioner.

34. The Committee further considered that timely assistance to the non-handicapped, non-settled refugees living outside camps would prevent many of them from subsequently falling into one of the handicapped categories and that material assistance to certain groups of non-handicapped refugees in certain countries was justified.

35. With regard to the sources of contributions from which future programmes should be financed, the Executive Committee confirmed the principle of supporting contributions from within countries of residence. It recommended that in considering the share of such supporting contributions, the High Commissioner should, in the first instance, take into account the economic situation of the country concerned.

Comprehensive country programmes

36. Also within the framework of its policy appraisal, the Executive Committee, at its third session, considered the possibility of dealing with the problem of international assistance to non-settled refugees living outside camps on a country basis. This would apply particularly to those countries where the problem is of manageable proportion and where, following the example of concentration of efforts adapted for camp clearance, comprehensive programmes could be drawn up with a view to solving the problem within a limited number of years.

37. The Executive Committee recommended that the High Commissioner should plan comprehensive programmes for the settlement of refugees in certain countries and should submit priority projects for implementation on a yearly basis. The programme outline for next year approved by the Executive Committee accordingly includes a 1961 permanent solutions programme for non-settled refugees in Greece and Turkey which is conceived as the first part of a comprehensive programmes.

Other programmes

38. Details concerning other current UNHCR programmes for 1959 and 1960, as well as the outline for the 1961 programme, may be found in annexes IV and V this report.

CHAPTER IV RELIEF PROGRAMME FOR REFUGEES FROM ALGERIA IN MOROCCO AND TUNISIA

39. The joint relief operation carried out from 1 February 1959 onwards with the League of Red Cross Societies continued during the whole period under review; the details may be found in annex VI to this report. In addition to the basic relief operation, for which sixty food distribution points have been set up, thirty-seven in Tunisia and twenty-three in Morocco, a supplementary feeding programme to provide milk to children was introduced in October 1959. The supplementary programme is also meant to provide, in addition to the health services generously placed at the disposal of refugees by the Government of Morocco and Tunisia, a number of fixed dispensaries and mobile clinics.

40. In order to counteract the effects of idleness, a number of small pilot projects, such as sewing rooms, mat-weaving and other schemes calculated to provide refugees with work opportunities have been started. It is also proposed to provide, in addition to governmental educational facilities, supplementary educational supplies for primary education.

41. The supplementary projects are to be financed from voluntary contributions towards a special World Refugee Year target of $3,000,000-which is in addition to the approximately $6,000,000 required, in cash and in kind, for the basic relief operation. Limited contributions have already been received towards this special WRY target. There has been no major financial difficulty during the period under review in respect of the basic relief programme. Declining contributions from Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies have been offset by larger contributions from governmental sources. If this trend should continue, the operation would have to be financed in an increasing measure from governmental funds.

42. The continuation and improvement of this relief programme has been possible thanks to the generous contributions from Governments, from Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies and from other non-governmental organizations, particularly voluntary agencies active in the international field. Its implementation would not have been possible without the close co-operation of the League of Red Cross Societies or the constant generous co-operation of the Moroccan and Tunisian authorities and the Red Crescent Societies in both countries.

CHAPTER V CONTRIBUTIONS OF VOLUNTARY FUNDS

43. The major development regarding contributions of voluntary funds to the Office of the High Commissioner has been, during the period under review, a diversification of tasks encouraged by the increased attention given on the occasion of World Refugee Year to a greater number of refugee groups. Of the total of approximately $7,000,000 contributed to UNHCR in 1959, contributions were received, not only for the current UNHCR programme and for assistance to refugees from Algeria in Morocco and Tunisia, but also for assistance to Chinese refugees in Hong Kong, for transportation of refugees through ICEM and also, at the request of the donors, for a great number of small programmes or projects (see annex VIII). A similar development has taken place in the early period of 1960.

44. Important amounts were contributed to the Office for assistance to Chinese refugees in Hong Kong within the framework of the mission of good offices entrusted to the High Commissioner by General Assembly resolution 1167 (XII). Further details are given in annex VII B. Offers of contributions have also been received under resolutions 1388 (XIV) which " Authorizes the High Commissioner, in respect of refugees who do not come within the competence of the United Nations, to use his good offices in the transmission of contributions designed to provide assistance to these refugees."

45. Contributions paid, pledged or promised for 1959 or for 1960 on the occasion of World Refugee Year amounted, up to 15 May 1960, to nearly $7,000,000.

46. A special effort was made by the Office of the High Commissioner to interest national WRY committees and other organizations in UNHCR programmes and thus to stimulate financial sponsorship of projects. A number of committees and organizations have agreed to sponsor financially either the clearance of a given camp or projects for assistance to other groups of refugees. At the time of writing (May 1960), a number of fund-raising campaigns connected with these financial sponsorships are not yet completed and the possibility of implementing a number of projects within the 1960 programmes will depend on the success of these fund-raising ventures.

47. The minimum target $4,700,000 for the current 1959 programmes has been surpassed by $350,000. On the other hand, as at 15 May 1960, only little more than $6,000,000 has been raised in spite of special WRY contributions towards the $12,000,000 target for the current 1960 programmes.

CHAPTER VI OTHER ACTIVITIES

Public information

48. The demand for public information material increased considerably when the General Assembly adopted, in December 1958, resolution 1285 (XIII) proclaiming World Refugee Year as at June 1959. This demand emanated from governmental agencies, local and national WRY committees and non-governmental organizations, as well as from the public at large. In addition to this direct demand, the Office of the High Commissioner provided information material to the Office of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for World Refugee Year and to the United Nations Office of Public Information.

49. The Office of the High Commissioner used all public information media. The office was able to enlist the assistance of well-known personalities in the arts and literature. Plays, films, television programmes and concerts have been given for the benefit of refugees. Articles have been written by well-known journalists and illustrations provided by a famous cartoonist. The Office of the High Commissioner spared no effort to support these activities and provided large quantities of reading material, as well as films and photographs to the many countries which participate in the work of international assistance to refugees.

50. In view of the increased workload, particular care had to be exercised to avoid duplication. This applied particularly to co-ordination between the various United Nations services engaged in information activities related to World Refugee Year where a careful division of functions made it possible to obtain a maximum of results for the Office.

Award of the Nansen Medal

51. The Nansen Medal Award Committee awarded the medal for 1959 to Mr. Oskar Helmer, former Minister of the Interior of Austria, for his outstanding services on behalf of refugees. The award recognized Mr. Helmer's profound humanitarian concern for refugees and paid tribute to his generosity and steadfastness in extending an open welcome to those who sought asylum in Austria during periods of great difficulty. The award ceremony took place in the Palais des Nations, Geneva, on 13 October 1959.

Co-operation with other offices and organizations

52. In the exercise of its activities, the Office of the High Commissioner co-operated, as hitherto, with a number of other United Nations offices, including the Office of Public Information, as already mentioned, the United Nations Children's Fund, which has made a generous donation of blankets for refugees in North Africa, the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East-particularly in respect of the Joint UNHCR/UNWRA Stamp Plan, and the United Nations Technical Assistance Administration which, at the request of the Swedish Government, co-operated in the organization of a seminar on the integration of refugees held at Sigtuna, Sweden, within the framework of World Refugee Year.

53. The High Commissioner's Office has continued to find understanding support from specialized agencies including the International Civil Aviation Organization, the International Labour Organisation, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, and the World Health Organization.

54. Close contact has been maintained between the organs of the Council of Europe and the Office of the High Commissioner in matters of mutual interest, including the application to refugees of various European legal instruments, resettlement of refugees to European countries, and the promotion of World Refugee Year. The Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe contributed to UNHCR on the occasion of World Refugee Year an amount of $20,000 which will be used to assist refugees in Europe, including a number of national refugees. UNHCR has continued to co-operate with the organization for European Economic Cooperation in connexion with the movement of refugees for employment.

55. The Office of the High Commissioner has maintained close relationship in respect of a great variety of activities with organizations particularly concerned with refugee problems, including the Intergovernmental Committee for European Migration and the United States Escapee program. Similarly, the Office has further benefited from the co-operation of voluntary agencies working for refugees, which have played, as heretofore, a major role in the implementation of UNHCR programmes. Some seventy-five non-governmental organizations, including the main voluntary agencies working for refugees, united in an International Committee for World Refugee Year with which close co-operation was also established.

Joint UNHCR/UNRWA Stamp Project

56. On 7 April 1960, some seventy Governments issued postage stamps illustrating the refugee problem. This simultaneous issue, the largest in postal history, had been jointly prepared during the previous two years by the Office of the High Commissioner and by UNRWA. Participating States included eleven in Africa, twenty in the Americas, nineteen in Asia and twenty in Europe.

57. The principal aim of the refugee stamp issue was to focus public attention on the refugee problem, on a purely humanitarian basis, both among the millions of people who sent or received these stamps on their correspondence and among the world's philatelists. This aim was achieved in particular in the strong emphasis given to 7 April 1960, the date of the simultaneous issue, by means of messages from Heads of States, exhibitions and world press coverage.

58. The second aim of the Stamp Project was to raise funds for refugees. Over fifty of the seventy participating Governments have donated large quantities of stamps to the United Nations for sale through philatelic commercial channels, either directly in mint form, or affixed to specially designed first-day envelopes. Certain Governments also placed a surtax on the refugee stamps, the proceeds of which will go to refugee work, while other Governments will donate for refugees some or all of the proceeds of the sale of the refugee stamps in their own territory.

CHAPTER VII WORLD REFUGEE YEAR

59. It is not possible to analyze in a separate section the impact of World Refugee Year on the Office of the High Commissioner. World Refugee Year has been an all-pervading, omnipresent factor in the activities of the Office and it is likely that its favourable consequences will continue to be felt for some time to come. Furthermore, World Refugee Year has not yet come to an end at the time of writing (May 1960) and it will take some time to draw up a summary, however provisional, of its achievements.

60. As far as the office of the High Commissioner is concerned, World Refugee Year has already had a considerable stimulating effect on international protection, on resettlement opportunities and on the opening of prospects for an increased programme of international assistance. The Year thus led to a great increase in the activities of the Office in every field and has also had repercussions, therefore, on the administrative arrangements for the Office. The financial results of World Refugee Year have already been considerable, but at the time of writing, have not yet enabled the Office to reach its current targets.

ANNEXES

ANNEX I OVER-ALL STATISTICS

The following tables show the number and distribution of refugees, presumed to be within the mandate of UNHCR on 31 December 1959, the general development of the refugees' situation in certain European countries, and corporative figures of the number of non-settled refugees in 1957, 1958 and 1959.

Table I. Distribution of refugees presumed to be within the mandate of UNHCR as at 31 December

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a In addition, there are over 200,000 refugees from Algeria in Morocco and Tunisia requiring relief.

Table II. General development of the refugee situation in certain European countriesa from 1 January to 31 December 1959

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a Austria, France, Germany, Greece and Italy.

b Already residing outside their country of origin.

c The number of refugees in other European countries is estimated at 315,000.

Table III. Distribution of non-settled refugees as at July/August 1957, 31 December 1958 and 31 December 1959

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a Including new Hungarian refugees.

ANNEX II INTERNATIONAL PROTECTION

A. INTERNATIONAL INSTRUMENTS AFFECTING REFUGEES

1951 Convention relating to the Status of Refugees

1. The governments of Yugoslavia and Greece ratified the 1951 Convention on 15 December 1959 and 5 April 1960, respectively. This, twenty-four States in all have so far become parties to the 1951 Convention. These are: Australia, Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Ecuador, France, the Federal Republic of Germany, Greece, the Holy See, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Monaco, Morocco, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland, Tunisia, the United Kingdom and Yugoslavia. In many other countries the procedure for ratification is in an advanced stage.

1954 Convention relating to the Status of Stateless Persons

2. France is the sixth State to ratify this Convention, on 3 March 1960. The Convention will come into force in Denmark, France, Israel, Norway, the United Kingdom and Yugoslavia on 6 June 1960. The procedure for ratification in several other countries has been initiated.

1957 Agreement relating to Refugee Seamen

3. This Agreement, which is designed to regularize the position of refugee seamen who have no country in which they may lawfully reside, has now been ratified by seven of the eight participating Governments, those of Belgium, Denmark, France, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden and the United Kingdom. Morocco and Monaco have acceded to the Agreement. Italy has decided to accede to the Agreement. The ratification by Germany, one of the eight original signatories, is still needed to bring it into force. A number of Governments are already applying the principles of the Agreement in advance of its entry into force.

Draft Declaration on the Right of Asylum

4. The Commission on Human Rights adopted on 15 March 1960, with three abstentions, a draft Declaration on the Right of Asylum. This question had been receiving the consideration of the Commission for many years, with the close co-operation of UNHCR. The draft Declaration, which has still to be approved by the Economic and Social Council and by the General Assembly of the United Nations, recommends, inter alia, that no one seeking asylum should, except for certain specified reasons, be returned to or obliged to remain in a territory where he has well-founded fear of persecution endangering his life, physical integrity of liberty. The Declaration further recognizes that the situation of persons who have had to seek asylum because of persecution is the concern of the international community, which should take measures in a spirit of international solidarity to lighten the burden of countries which experience difficulty in continuing to grant asylum. The Declaration makes it clear that nothing therein shall be interpreted to prejudice the rights of every one to return to his country, as stated in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

1956 Convention on the Recovery Abroad of Maintenance

5. The Convention on the Recovery Abroad of Maintenance was ratified by Denmark on 22 June 1959, by the Federal Republic of Germany on 20 July 1959, and was acceded to by Pakistan on 14 July 1959. The eleven other States parties to the Convention, which came into force in May 1957, are: Ceylon, China, Czechoslovakia, Guatemala, Haiti, Hungary, Israel, Italy, Morocco, Norway and Sweden.

1952 Universal Copyright Convention

6. The Universal Copyright Convention was ratified by Brazil on 13 October 1959 and acceded to by Lebanon on 17 July 1959 and by Czechoslovakia on 6 October 1959. Brazil ratified and Lebanon acceded also to the three protocols to the Convention. Protocol No.1 to the Convention provides that stateless persons and refugees habitually resident in a contracting State should be treated on the same footing as nationals of that State for the purposes of the Convention. The Convention has now been ratified or acceded to by thirty-four States, twenty-nine of whom are parties to Protocol No.l. It came into force in 1955.

1957 Convention on the Nationality of Married Women

7. The following states became parties to the Convention on the Nationality of Married Women in 1959 and 1960: Canada, Denmark, Ecuador, Hungary, Malaya, Poland and Yugoslavia. The Convention entered into force in August 1958. It has now been ratified or acceded to by twenty States.

1957 European Convention on Extradition

8. Norway has ratified the European Convention on Extradition. This Convention, which has also been ratified by Sweden and Turkey, entered into force on 18 April 1960. It was signed in 13 December 1957 by the following eleven members of the Council of Europe: Austria, Belgium, Denmark, France, the Federal Republic of Germany, Greece, Italy, Luxembourg, Norway, Sweden and Turkey. The Convention 's relevance to refugees is contained in article 3, which declares that extradition will not be granted if the offence in respect of which it is requested is regarded by the requested party as a political offence. Similarly, extradition will not be granted if the requested party has substantial grounds for believing that a request for extradition for an ordinary criminal offence has been made for the purpose of prosecuting or punishing a person on account of his race, religion, nationality or political opinions, or that the person's position might be prejudiced for any of these reasons.

B. ADMISSION, RESIDENCE AND EXPULSION

9. In countries where procedures in which the Office of the High Commissioner takes part have been established for determining whether refugees come within the mandate of UNHCR or under the scope of the 1951 Convention , some 24,000 persons were recognized as refugees in the course of 1959. This total includes 7,000 newly arrived refugees. The other decisions regarding the recognition of refugee status concerned refugees who went from one country of asylum to another or who had been residing for some time in their present country of residence.

10. A federal eligibility centre was established in Austria at Camp Traiskirchen near Vienna in November 1959. With a few exceptions of persons who are clearly not refugees, all illegal entrants seeking asylum in Austria are being sent to the new centre for screening Representatives of the UNHCR are permanently stationed in Camp Traiskirchen and in the provinces with the greatest influx of asylum seekers, to advise the Austrian authorities on eligibility determination. The Branch Office itself advises the Ministry of the Interior on cases which have been referred to that Ministry for decision.

11. It is considered that the establishment of the centre at Traiskirchen contributes to the achievement of a uniform practice of determining refugee status in Austria, to the speedy examination of cases, and to improvements in the processing for emigration.

Domiciliary bans

12. In Austria, difficulties had been experienced by refugees against whom domiciliary bans had been issued, under paragraph 3 of the Aliens Police Law, and in accordance with article 32 of the Geneva Convention, on the ground of national security or public order, but who could not, as refugees, be expelled to their country of origin. By a decree of 1 October 1959, the practice of issuing domiciliary bans against such refugees has been relaxed.

C. RIGHTS OF REFUGEES IN THEIR COUNTRIES OF RESIDENCE

Right to work

13. In Austria, a decree was issued on 8 January 1960 which exempts from the requirement of an employment permit those refugees who have resided in Austria for a period of three years from 1 January 1957. Formerly this exemption applied to those refugees who had in Austria for three years from 1 January 1956.

14. On 9 February 1960, a decree was issued whereby labour permits valid until 31 December 1960 would be granted to Hungarian refugees who came to Austria between 1 January and 30 June 1957.

15. As had already been done in Germany (see para. 18 below), special instructions have been issued to labour exchanges to enlist their co-operation in assisting refugees in every way to obtain employment.

16. The Belgian authorities have agreed to issue work permits for all professions, irrespective of the state of the labour market, to refugees in Belgium within the mandate of the UNHCR who entered the country under group resettlement schemes. This measure affects some 10,000 refugees. In addition, instructions have been given that applications for work permits for refugees in those categories which still require special permits should be given favourable consideration, provided the employment is outside the Brussels area.

17. In Germany, a special instruction has been issued to labour exchanges, with a view to enlisting their co-operation in intensifying efforts during World Refugee Year to find work for unemployed refugees, in particular those in camps and others in specially difficult situations, and to see that they have every opportunity of receiving professional and linguistic training.

18. In November 1959, a federal ordinance regarding the employment of aliens was issued in Germany. Refugees will be entitled to receive work permits, which are issued free of charge and valid for three years.

19. In Italy, the authorities agreed in August 1959 to extend the benefits of the arrangement under which certain categories of refugees are permitted to work in Italy to refugees in these categories who have resided in that country for at least three years prior to 27 March 1959. The original arrangement applied to refugees living in Italy for three years before 27 March 1957.

Social security

20. In Austria, refugees in possession of an Austrian identity document have been permitted to benefit from unemployment relief (as distinct from unemployment assistance, which is granted to refugees in the same way as to nationals) until 31 December 1960. This was an extension of an earlier provision which expired at the end of 1959.

21. In Belgium, the Government has decided to allow all miners, including refugee miners, suffering from silicosis to benefit from a retirement pension provided they have paid social security contributions for five years.

22. On 25 February 1960, the German Federal Parliament enacted a law which amended and supplemented the Law concerning Foreign Pensions and will benefit a certain number of refugees.

23. In Luxembourg, under a law dated 10 August 1959, family allowances were extended to refugees, who now receive the same benefits as nationals of Luxembourg.24. In the Netherlands, under the Act on the General Social Security of Widows and Orphans which came into force on 1 October 1959, refugees are to receive the same treatment as nationals. This also applies to the very important transitory provisions of the Act.

Special facilities

25. Belgian families with four or more children are entitled to a reduction of 50 per cent in railway fares. In February 1960, the Belgian authorities agreed to extend this concession to refugees within the mandate of the UNHCR.

D. NATURALIZATION

26. With a view to reducing the number of refugees requiring protection, in accordance with article 8 (B) of the Statute, the Office has continued to assist refugees whenever possible in obtaining new nationalities through naturalization. The Belgian Government is at present considering a draft law which would facilitate the naturalization of certain categories of refugees. An amendment of the Nationality and Citizenship Act was enacted in Australia which simplifies and speeds up the procedure for naturalization.

E. MOVEMENT OF REFUGEES

Facilitation of travel

27. The High Commissioner's Office, in co-operation with the Council of Europe, has continued its efforts to facilitate travel for refugees by enouraging accessions to the European Agreement on the Abolition of Visas for Refugees or by encouraging the conclusion of bilateral agreements for the waiving of the requirement of visas. The European Agreement has been ratified by Belgium and France and signed, subject to ratification, by the Federal Republic of Germany, Luxembourg and the Netherlands. A third ratification is necessary to bring the Agreement into force.

28. On 1 May 1960, an Agreement for the exemption of refugees from entry visas for a stay of less than three months entered into force between France and Switzerland. Another Agreement between the two countries, which entered into force on the same date, provides that refugees entering the other country for employment have the right to return to the country of residence during two years.

29. Agreements for the exemption of refugees from visas for temporary travel are now in force between France, Belgium, Luxembourg and the Netherlands, and between France and Switzerland. The Federal Republic of Germany has unilaterally exempted refugees, with the exception of new Hungarian refugees, from visas for temporary travel.

30. UNHCR also encourages the implementation of the Council of Europe resolution No. 58 (5), concerning the facilitation of travel by refugees, particularly with regard to the waiving of visa fees and the prompt issue of visas in those cases where they are still required.

31. Pursuant to this resolution, the Italian Government issued instructions according to which entry visas to refugees within the mandate may be issued without reference to the central authorities and free of charge in certain cases.

32. The Government of Australia has decided to issue entry visas free of charge in the case of refugees.

33. Greece has agreed to issue refugee travel documents free of charge, and to waive the fee for entry visas for holders of these documents.

34. In September 1959, the Austrian Ministry of the Interior issued an instruction to the competent authorities with the object of ensuring that refugees lawfully staying in Austria receive the 1951 Convention travel document unless compelling reasons of national security or public order require otherwise.

35. The Government of Denmark now issues the travel document provided for under the 1951 Convention. The Convention travel document has also been prepared for issue in Israel.

Movement for employment-Action taken by the Organization for European Economic Cooperation

36. The Council of the Organization for European Economic Cooperation adopted on 9 May 1960 a recommendation on administrative practices with regard to refugees moving from one member country to another for purposes of employment. This recommendation accords the same facilities as are granted to nationals to those refugees who wish to take up employment in anther country and have the right to return to their country of residence. The recommendation covers: the issue of entry visas free of charge, the granting of work permits and of residence permits valid for at least one years, and the exemption of refugees from the cost of medical examinations and health certificates. It is designed to simplify administrative practices and to facilitate the movement of refugees to other member countries in order to take up employment there and is complementary to OEEC Council decision C (56) 258, referred to in annex I to the Report of the High Commissioner to the General Assembly at its fourteenth session.[4]a

F. INDEMNIFICATION-FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF GERMANY

37. Further intensive efforts have been made with a view to securing adequate compensation for refugees who were persecuted under the National Socialist regime. As a result of consultations which have taken place so far, it appears that the German Federal Government intends to establish a special fund for those refugees who do not receive adequate compensation under the Federal Indemnification Law.

ANNEX III REFUGEES WITHIN THE MANDATE OF UNHCR RESETTLED WITH THE ASSISTANCE OF THE INTERGOVERNMENTAL COMMITTEE FOR EUROPEAN MIGRATION 1 January-31 December 1959

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ANNEX IV STATISTICAL AND FINANCIAL DATA CONCERNING THE CURRENT UNHCR RPOGRAMMES FOR 1959 AND THE FORMER UNREF PROGRAMME

A. CAMP CLEARANCE

General observations

1. The Camp Clearance Programme, which was started as an integral part of the UNHCR programme for permanent solutions in Austria, Germany, Greece and Italy, was carried on as a separate operation within the 1959 programmes.

2. Between 1 January 1955 and 31 December 1959, 16,712 refugees from camps were firmly settled and most of the others were in the process of settlement. At the same date there remained 15,770 refugees in camps qualifying for camp clearance (including the fund for special hardship cases), the majority in Austria and Germany. There were still 105 official camps to be cleared by UNHCR, of which 41 were in Austria,a 49 in Germany, 8 in Greece and 7 in Italy. The Camp Clearance Programme also concerns 141 small unofficial camps in Austria.

3. As shown in the table below, the number of refugees qualifying for camp clearance decreased by 5,500 during 1959. The total number of refugees within the mandate of UNHCR living in camps in the countries referred to above was 21,000 as at 1 January 1960, including, some 2,000 refugees qualifying for the programme for new Hungarian refugees in Austria (1,820) or for the programme for new refugees in Greece (200), and some 3,800 refugees qualifying for programmes carried out by other organizations.

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a Excluding two camps accommodating new Hungarian refugees only

b Non-refugee dependants in refugee householdas and naturalized ex-refugees qualifying for the Camp Clearance Programme in Austria numbered 1.870 at 1 January 1959 and 1,020 at 1 January 1960. These number are included in the total.

Austria

4. By 31 December 1959, a total of 7,030 refugees from camps had been firmly settled under camp clearance projects in Austria, including 1,200 during 1959. Three official camps were cleared of refugees qualifying for the Camp Clearance Programme. In ten camps the number of families so qualifying decreased to less than ten in each. Most of these families belong to the residual group of refugees who have proved to be particularly difficult to resettle and for whom special provision is being made. As at 31 December 1959, the camp population qualifying for camp clearance had been reduced to 4,470.

5. Within the total number of 7,030 refugees firmly settled from camps in Austria up to the end of 1959, 4,669 benefited from housing projects. By 31 December 1959, provision had been made for 2,995 housing units, of which 1,962 were occupied and 886 under construction, 167 units were in various planning stages. For a small number of refugees, the improved employment conditions of refugees had made it possible to afford the higher rents resulting from a continual rise in building costs. The public relief authorities pay the rent for refugees entitled to public welfare benefits; the task of public welfare authorities has been facilitated by remissions of repayments, for permanently disabled cases, of the UNHCR contribution to housing projects. Similar measures have been taken by UNHCR for the lowest income group among refugees who experience the greatest difficulty in paying rents for newly built housing.

6. Many of the other refugees were settled through establishment assistance, i.e. small loans and credit facilities enabling them to set themselves up in a trade or profession. Another form of assistance which is essential to settle the remaining camp population is rehabilitation, which is particularly necessary in view of the relatively high proportion of socially handicapped within the present caseload.

Germany (Federal Republic of)

7. By 31 December 1959, a total of 8,313 refugees from camps had been firmly settled under camp clearance projects in Germany, including 3,610 during 1959. In the same year, eight camps were cleared of refugees qualifying for the Camp Clearance Programme. At the end of 1959, the camp population qualifying for camp clearance had been reduced to 10,070.

8. Within the total number of 8,313 refugees firmly settled, 3,647 benefited from housing projects. By 31 December 1959, provision had been made for 2,299 housing units, of which 1,146 were occupied, 300 under construction and 853 in various planning stages.

9. Increasing difficulties are being encountered with regard to the housing programme in view of the constant rise in building costs and rents. This rise results partly from the scarcity of real estate near industrial areas where employment opportunities are available for refugees, from the increasing rates of interest and from the waiving of rent controls, as well as from the rising cost of labour and materials. To offset the above difficulties, a part of the housing funds are used to refit existing housing which carries lower rents then new apartments. Further plans are being developed to build "economy housing" in the form of special low rent flats.

10. A considerable number of refugees have also been able to establish themselves through the assistance of counsellors who succeeded in obtaining accommodation for them at reasonable rents. As in the case of Austria, it was possible to arrange for a considerable number of refugees to be firmly settled through establishment assistance and a small number also benefited from rehabilitation projects.

Greece

11. By 31 December 1959, a total of 694 refugees from camps had been firmly settled under camp clearance projects in Greece. A further 203 refugees from camps had also benefited under UNHCR projects; most of them are in process of firm settlement. At the end of 1959, there remained only 300 refugees within the mandate of UNHCR qualifying for camp clearance in Greece.

12. Of the total number of beneficiaries within the camp population, 663 persons had benefited from the housing programme in Greece as at 31 December 1959. At the same date, provision had also been made for a further 1,145 housing units for refugees in Greece, 455 of which were already occupied, 288 were ready for occupation, 205 were in process of construction and 197 were being planned.

13. Another very important form of assistance to the camp population in Greece is the provision of establishment assistance, which is complementary to housing and enables the refugees concerned to establish themselves in agriculture or in various trades or professions.

Italy

14. By 31 December 1959, a total of 675 refugees from camps had been firmly settled under camp clearance projects, including 150 during 1959. In the same year, four camps were cleared of refugees qualifying for the camp clearance programme-those of Brindish, Altamura, Gargnano and Bari-leaving a further seven camps to be cleared. Within the remaining camp population of 3,476 refugees, 930 qualify for camp clearance, including some 700 refugees who were added to this caseload under the Fund for Special Hardship Cases. The remaining 2,500 are being assisted by other organizations, mainly to facilitate their emigration.

15. In spite of the limited possibilities of local integration in a country with the demographic situation of Italy, a certain number of refugees in camps were able to settle down in the country under UNHCR projects for rehabilitation and establishment assistance. Most of the others were resettled in other countries under projects for the promotion of resettlement.

B. FAR EASTERN PROGRAMME

16. From February 1952 to 31 December 1959, a cumulative total of 13,687 refugees had been moved overseas from the Far East, including 5,205 to Australia, 4,156 to Brazil, 1,146 to European countries and 3,180 to other countries under the joint operation of the Intergovernmental Committee for European Migration and this Office. This number includes 793 non-rehabilitable handicapped refugees and 59 dependents.

17. During 1959, 1,997 refugees received care and maintenance while in transit in Hong Kong pending their resettlement in other countries.

18. As at 1 January 1960, the total caseload of refugees on the mainland of China was estimated at 7,800, of whom some 4,400 were in possession of visa assurances. Of the total of 7,800, approximately 1,100 were non-rehabilitable refugees.

19. In the course of 1959,supplementary aid was supplied through voluntary agencies in the amount of $115,880 to 3,258 refugees on the mainland of China. Medical aid projects in a total amount of $16,273 had benefited 150 refugees by the end of December 1959.

C. NON-SETTLED REFUGEES OUTSIDE CAMPS

20. The number of non-settled refugees in countries where UNHCR programmes are in operation was estimated at 86,000 on 1 January 1960, including 9,700 socially and 21,300 physically handicapped refugees. Of those, some 17,500 are covered by existing programmes. Between 1 January 1955 and 31 December 1959, a total of 22,482 non-settled refugees living outside camps had been assisted under UNHCR programmes. This number includes 13,124 refugees who have become firmly settled. The distribution by country was as follows:

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21. The total number of 13,124 does not include refugees of European origin moved from the Far East, new refugees in Greece, nor new Hungarian refugees in Austria, who benefit from separate programmes. The number of 13,124 does include 743 non-rehabilitable refugees who receive permanent care.

22. While housing projects play an important role in the establishment of these refugees, establishment assistance is equally important. Thus, as at 31 December 1959, 3,445 non-settled refugees had benefited from housing and 4,613 from establishment assistance, while 5,066 had benefited from various other forms of assistance, including, in particular, vocational training.

23. The programme for non-settled refugees living outside camps also includes an allocation for supplementary aid to the neediest refugees. During 1959, a total of 3,487 refugees benefited from such aid, often including medical assistance, in Greece, Italy, Turkey and the Middle East.

D. OTHER PROGRAMMES

Emergency account for aid to individual cases

24. As at 31 December 1959, thirty-two refugees had been assisted from this account in returning, at their request, to their country of origin.

Programme for new refugees in Greece

25. Under this programme, which was put into effect in 1959 in an amount of $100,000, 111 refugees had been firmly settled as at 31 December 1959. Another 163 families, including approximately 435 persons, among the new refugees in Greece qualified for assistance under that programme at that date.

Legal assistance programme

26. By 31 December 1959, a total of 1,659 refugees had benefited under the 1959 legal assistance programme operating in Austria, Germany, Greece, Italy. Such projects have also been put into effect in certain Latin American countries where a need for them has arisen owing to immigration of large numbers of refugees to that area over the past few years.

27. Under these projects, refugees have been assisted in claiming war damage or indemnification for persecution, in obtaining labour permits or the right to engage in independent professions, in obtaining social security benefits or pensions to which they were entitled. Refugees were also advised on questions of rent and eviction and on the leasing and purchasing of property, on labour laws and on problems arising in connexion with their personal status.

E. EMERGENCY FUND

28. As at 31 December 1959, a total amount of $155,615 had accrued to the Emergency Fund established under paragraph 7 of General Assembly resolution 1166 (XII) of 26 November 1957. Emergency aid has been granted in an amount of $5,000 from this Fund to a number of elderly refugees living in Mocorco in destitute conditions and without means of support. A further amount of $4,000 was allocated from the Fund on 15 March 1960 for assistance to refugees of the Agadir earthquake disaster.

ANNEX V FINANCIAL AND STATISTICAL DATA IN RESPECT OF UNHCR CURRENT PROGRAMMES FOR 1960 AND 1961

Current UNHCR programmes for 1960

1. In establishing allocations for the various current 1960 programmes, the executive Committee of the High Commissioner's Programme aimed in the first place at earmarking enough funds for camp clearance and for the Far Eastern Programme. The Committee's further objective was to take advantage of World Refugee Year by making a larger allocation for the non-settled refugees living outside camps, preference being given to the handicapped.

2. At its third session held in April 1960, the Executive Committee authorized the High Commissioner to implement projects within the total amount of $9,500,000, including, in particular, $3,460,000 for camp clearance, $1,230,000 for the Far Eastern Programme and $4,380,000 for non-settled refugees living outside camps, as may be seen from the table at the end of this annex.

3. The allocation of $3,460,000 for camp clearance includes $840,000 for the Fund for special hardship cases. As in previous years, projects within the Camp Clearance Programme are in large part for refugee housing. Additional projects have been drawn up for the rehabilitation of the handicapped and, in particular, for the most difficult socially handicapped refugees.

4. The allocation of $1,230,000 so far approved for the Far Eastern Programme was based on the assumption that approximately 4,000 refugees will be moved from the Far East during 1960. Within this amount, approximately $270,000 will be needed for care and maintenance of refugees in transit in Hong Kong, $735,000 for grants for establishment in other countries and $105,000 for supplementary aid.

5. In addition to the UNHCR part of the operation, an estimated amount of $2,200,000 is required by ICEM for the movement of the refugees during 1960.

6. At the time of writing this report (May 1960) a reappraisal is being made of the situation in the Far East and means are being studied to speed up the operation.

7. Within the total allocation of $6,570,000, projects in an amount of $4,380,000 have so far been approved for assistance to non-settled refugees outside camps. Within that amount, a considerable sum will be required for the settlement of physically handicapped refugees and, in particular, for the provision of housing with care for those cases who cannot be rehabilitated and cannot, or are reluctant to, accept placement in institutions.

8. As in the case of the camp population, counselling, individual casework and the follow-up of cases which are being assisted is most important, as are also preselection and registration, considering the large number of refugees, from which the most deserving cases should first receive attention.

9. A programme for new refugees in Greece has been included in the amount of $280,000. In view of the increasing need for legal assistance projects, a legal assistance programme in the amount of $90,000 has also been approved. The emergency account for individual cases has been continued in the amount of $60,000.

10. As in the case of the 1959 programme, the following order of priority has been adopted for the main programmes:

(1) Far Eastern Programme;

(2) Camp Clearance Programme;

(3) Programme for non-settled refugees living outside camps.

Current UNHCR programmes for 1961

11. At its third session, the Executive Committee set the over-all target for the 1961 programmes at $6,000,000 from both governmental and other sources. Within this amount are $5,200,000 for material assistance programmes and $120,000 for legal assistance programmes.

12. Within the programmes for material assistance, the major allocation is for non-settled refugees in Greece. This programme as well as the one for Turkey has been conceived as the first part of a comprehensive permanent solutions programme in those countries. The $5,200,000 programmes for material assistance include also an allocation of $950,000 for refugees of European origin in the Far EAST.

13. More detailed projects within the component parts of the 1961 programmes will be submitted to the Executive Committee at its fourth session.

(Current UNHCR programmes for 1960 table follows overleaf)

Current UNHCR programmes for 1960 By area and type of programme
($US)

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a Including various countries, common projects and administrative expenses.

b Including a grant-in-aid of $680,000 to the United Nations for administrative expenses related to voluntary funds programmes.

c Including Fund for Special Hardship Cases.

ANNEX VI RELIEF PROGRAMME FOR REFUGEES FROM ALGERIA IN MOROCCO AND TUNISIA

The basic relief operation

1. At the beginning of the joint relief operation, food rations were being supplied to approximately 180,000 refugees in both countries. It has since proved necessary to provide relief assistance for more than 200,000 refugees. Some sixty food distribution points have been set up, thirty-seven in Tunisia and twenty-three in Morocco, from which regular distributions of food are being made.

2. The primary aim of the relief operation is to provide sufficient food to keep the refugees in good health. As from December 1959, the following monthly rations per person have been distributed: 12 kilos of wheat in Tunisia, 10 kilos of wheat and 2 kilos of rice in Morocco, 400 grammes of edible oil, 400 grammes of sugar, 300 grammes of pulses; in addition 100 grammes of soap are distributed. These rations provide approximately 1,540 calories per day. Children receive in addition a monthly ration of 1,200 grammes of condensed milk, providing a further 135 calories per day.

3. The planning of the distribution of supplies in Tunisia is done by the League of Red Cross Societies in conjunction with the Tunisian Red Crescent, while the actual distribution is the responsibility of the governor of the province concerned. In Morocco distribution is carried out by the League of Red Cross Societies in co-operation with the Moroccan Red Crescent. Every effort is being made to ensure that every refugee receives his ration.

4. The continuation of the operation was made possible thanks to generous contributions from Governments, Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, national and international voluntary agencies and national WRY committees, including the fund-raising campaign of the Liberal Protestant Broadcasting Corporation (UPRO) in the Netherlands. Thanks to the above bodies and to UNICEF, it was possible to distribute blankets and clothing to the refugees. During the winter months a total of 262 tons of clothing and 235,000 blankets were distributed for which only a relatively small amount had to be allocated from the cash funds of the general relief operation.

5. The refugees' shelter in both countries consists of huts, constructed by the refugees themselves, or tents which have been supplied under the joint relief operation in certain areas. These dwellings have provided reasonable protection during the winter months. There are concentrations of refugees in certain districts but there are no camps.

Supplementary feeding

6. In addition to the basic food programme, a supplementary feeding programme to provide a daily ration of milk to children was introduced in both countries in October 1959. Thirty-seven milk stations have so far been established in Morocco and fifty-one in Tunisia. The daily ration of milk has resulted in an immediate improvement in the health of the refugee children.

7. In Tunisia, six multi-purpose centres are being constructed, two of which are already being operated. These centres will provide facilities for the distribution of reconstituted milk and hot soup.

8. The health services placed at the disposal of the refugees in Morocco and Tunisia will be supplemented by a number of fixed dispensaries and mobile clinics. According to a survey of the health of the refugees in Morocco, carried out during August 1959, no serious health problems were found amongst the refugees.

Other forms of assistance

9. In order to counteract the effects of idleness upon the morale of the refugees, a number of small pilot projects to provide productive occupations have been introduced in both Morocco and Tunisia. Sewing rooms have been set up where refugee women receive training in making up contributed cloth into local style garments. In Morocco, an experimental mat weaving project has also been started. It is extremely difficult, however, to make any important impact on this problem.

10. The Governments of Morocco and Tunisia are generously providing educational facilities for refugee children. The Office of the High Commissioner is encouraging fund-raising efforts undertaken within the framework of World Refugee Year to provide educational supplies for primary education.

Contributions

11. Between 1 February 1959 and 30 April 1960, UNHCR received contributions in a total amount of $2,892,549 of which $235,741 was in kind, as shown in more detail in annex VIII to the present report. During the same period, the League of Red Cross Societies received contributions in cash and in kind in an amount of over $7,000,000.

12. The basic items of the monthly ration are wheat and rice which are being contributed in the full quantities required. Other items, such as edible oil and sugar, condensed milk, etc, have to be purchased to a large extent on the local market or on the best market abroad, and involve considerable monthly cash expenditures. With supplies on hand and contributions promised, pledged or paid as at 30 April 1960, it will be possible to carry on the basic relief programme until the autumn of 1960.

ANNEX VII OTHER PROGRAMMES

A. UNHCR PROGRAMME FOR HUNGARIAN REFUGEES IN AUSTRIA

1. During 1959, the number of Hungarian refugees still remaining in Austria decreased from 14,900 to 9,600, of whom 1,800 were still in camps on 31 December 1959. On 1 May 1960, this number had been reduced to 1,530.

2. In Yugoslavia, where 500 Hungarian refugees have established themselves, the problem may be regarded as solved, though there remains the question of reimbursement of certain costs borne by the Government of Yugoslavia on behalf of new Hungarian refugees.

3. A registration was carried out between May and October 1959 to assess the needs of the remaining non-settled new Hungarian refugees in Austria. At that time, it appeared that 1,400 were firmly settled in Austria, 1,800 were in the process of being settled under the UNHCR programmes for permanent solutions, 3,900 wished to remain in Austria and needed international assistance for their integration, and 1,500 still wished to emigrate.

4. Resettlement continued to provide appropriate solutions for the problems of Hungarian refugees who desire to emigrate. In the course of 1959 alone, 5,500 were resettled from Austria and during the first quarter of 1960, a further 200. Further resettlement opportunities have been granted to many of these refugees in response to appeals made by the High Commissioner and the Director of ICEM.

5. Many of the 3,900 refugees who wish to establish themselves in Austria will need assistance under the UNHCR programme for Hungarian refugees in Austria. Further progress has been made during 1959 in the implementation of this programme which had benefited, at the end of the year, 5,980 refugees, 2,126 of whom are firmly settled.

6. In spite of difficulties which have been experienced in the implementation of housing projects, as explained in annex IV, some 1,900 new Hungarian refugees have been provided with housing in Austria.

7. Under projects providing credit facilities to refugees, a total of 102 loans involving over $92,000 have been paid out and more than half the beneficiaries have already started to make repayments on these loans.

8. By 31 December 1959, projects in a total amount of $3,952,424 had been put into effect by UNHCR. Further projects in an amount of $410,000 will be put into effect in the course 1960, when it is hoped that a considerable proportion of the non-settled Hungarian refugees remaining in Austria may be able to establish themselves.

9. The status of permanent solutions projects, including a $3.5 million permanent solutions programme, as well as other long-term projects for these refugees is shown in the following table.

(Table follows overleaf)

Position of UNHCR contributions towards the combined long-term and permanent solutions projects in Austria, as at 31 December 1959, by type of project ($US)

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a Discontinued on 15 January 1958.

b The actual value of the eight new projects amounts to $180,381 ; the difference of $17,283 represents refunds of unspent balances and cancelled obligations under projects completed during the second half of 1959.

B. ASSISTANCE TO CHINESE REFUGEES IN HONG KONG

10. Under the terms of General Assembly resolution 1167 (XII), the High Commissioner was authorized to use his good offices to encourage arrangements for contributions to assist Chinese refugees in Hong Kong.

11. During 1959 and the first four months of 1960, a total amount of $322,062 for Chinese refugees had been paid, pledged or promised to the Office of the High Commissioner. An amount of $82,315 comes from Governments and $239,747 from private sources.

12. In addition to the good offices of the High Commissioner, World Refugee Year campaigns have stimulated considerable interest in the fate of Chinese refugees in Hong Kong. A number of Governments, of national WRY committees and of other organizations have decided to allocate considerable funds for assistance to them. Such funds have been made available mainly through bilateral arrangements.

13. The problem of Chinese refugees received considerable attention at the third session of the Executive Committee of the High Commissioner's Programme. The Committee agreed that the question of a revolving find to be set up for Chinese refugees in Hong Kong should be further considered and that more detailed information on the situation of these refugees be submitted to the Committee at its fourth session.

ANNEX VIII VOLUNTARY FUNDS CONTRIBUTED TO UNHCR

Contributions for 1959

1. In 1959, voluntary funds were contributed to the Office of the High Commissioner in a total amount of $6,937,732. The breakdown of this amount into governmental contributions, non-governmental contributions and miscellaneous income, on the one hand, and over the various programmes carried out or supported by the Office, on the other hand, was as follows:

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2. Together with new income received totalling $4,624,726 and a surplus of $425,912 from the former United Nations Refugee Fund, the total sum available for the current 1959 programmes amounted to $5,050,638. The programme target of $4,700,000 was, therefore, surpassed by $350,638.

3. The amount of $1,487,656 contributed for assistance to refugees from Algeria in Morocco and Tunisia concerns only contributions made directly to UNHCR, excluding bilateral contributions made at the request of UNHCR as well as contributions in cash and kind made available to the League of Red Cross Societies.

4. Contributions for "other programmes" are funds specifically earmarked by the donor for a specific project, in most cases ancillary schemes to the current UNHCR programmes, including funds entrusted to the Office of the High Commissioner for transmission to the Intergovernmental Committee for European Migration.

5. A more detailed break-down of contributions for 1959 showing the list of donor Governments as well as of non-governmental organizations and other private donors is given in table I at the end of this annex.

Contributions for 1960

6. As at 30 April 1960, the total of contributions to UNHCR for the year 1960 reached $8,393,222, including payments, pledges and promises. The distribution of the above amount over governmental and non-governmental contributions, as well as over the various programmes, is as follows:

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7. The above table shows, that, as at 30 April 1960, an amount of $6,147,008 had been raised towards the $12,000,000 target for the current UNHCR programmes for 1960. A further amount of nearly $600,000 was therefore, still needed to reach that target. Indications were available that further contributions would be entrusted to the Office of the High Commissioner as a result of World Refugee Year, particularly by national WRY committees for the financing of the Camp Clearance Programme.

8. The remarks already made for the 1959 contributions with regard to funds for assistance to refugees from Algeria in Morocco and Tunisia and for "other programmes" also apply to the contributions in these categories for 1960.

9. A more detailed break-down of contributions for 1960, showing in particular a list of donor Governments, will be found in table II at the end of this annex.

World refugee year contributions

10. As at 30 April 1960, the Office of the High Commissioner had received payments, pledges and promises of contributions on the occasion of World Refugee Year in a total amount of $6,698,017. Of this total $2,513,429 had been received for 1959 and the remainder of $4,184,588 for 1960.

11. The break down of these contributions over governmental and non-governmental sources, as well as over the various programmes, is shown below:

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12. These figures concern only contributions made to or through the Office of the High Commissioner for Refugees. They do not include contributions made to UNRWA or to other inter-governmental or non-governmental organizations working for refugees or proceeds expected from the Joint UNHCR/UNRWA Stamp Project. Neither do these figures include contributions made from budgetary or other funds by Governments or private organizations in order to cover the costs of reception, rehabilitation and local establishment of refugees in countries which have undertaken special refugee immigration schemes within the frame work of World Refugee Year.

13. These World Refugee Year contributions reflect the position in respect of the Office of the High commissioner as at 30 April 1960. Further funds had been collected at that date by World refugee Year committees in various countries, but no decision had yet been taken upon their allocation.

Table I Contributions to UNHCR for 1959 as at 31 December 1959 (continued) (Expressed in $US)

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a Contributions transferred to ICEM for transportation of European refugees form the Far East.

b Contributions to provide assistance to Chinese refugees in Hong Kong.

c Contributions in kind.

d Out of a total WRY contribution of $347,474.

e Of which $3,015 in kind.

f Including $46,670 for Far Eastern Operation transferred to UNHCR through ICEM.

g Only new income, i.e. excluding transfers form UNREF, refunds, etc.

h Income of Emergency Fund established under General Assembly resolution 1166 (XII).

Table II Contributions to UNHCR for 1960 as at 30 April 1960

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a Contribution to provide assistance to Chinese refugees in Hong Kong.

b Out of a total WRY contribution of $347,474.

c Including a contribution of $222,946 to provide assistance to Chinese refugees in Hong Kong.

d Income of Emergency Fund under General Assembly resolution 1166 (XII).

ANNEX IX PUBLIC INFORMATION ACTIVITIES

1. To meet the need for detailed information about refugee problems as well as about programmes carried out by UNHCR, engendered by World Refugee Year in many countries, and to help national committees with the successful development of their campaigns, the Information Section of UNHCR prepared a series of monographs. These were published in the form of pamphlets by the Office of the Special Representative for World Refugee year (WRY secretariat). In addition, UNHCR issued its own publication, a fully illustrated folder listing its programmes and WRY targets. This folder was adopted by many committees for their own use, and distributed in significant numbers to local organizers.

2. In view of the great demand for visual material, the Office prepared several sets of photographs for international distribution, one set of eighty photographs surveying the whole field of UNHCR activities; one set, distributed by the Office of Public Informations, dealing with the relief programme for refugees from Algeria in Morocco and Tunisia and made in co-operation with the League of Red Cross Societies; one set on integration work in Greece and Austria, which was made by the Office of Public Information at UNHCR's request. Thousands of press cuttings and reports from committees have indicated the great usefulness of these photographs, particularly for fund-raising purposes.

3. At the invitation of the High Commissioner, a well-known British illustrator was asked to visit refugee camps in Europe and his work appeared in magazines with world-wide circulation. It was also used for exhibition and television programmes.

4. In co-operation with United Nations Radio, UNHCR issued, jointly with UNWRA, a series of radio features, spoken by leading Hollywood actors, it issued a special end-of-the-year programme in English and organized, in co-operation with the Swiss radio, an international radio appeal in several languages in Europe. A number of programmes were made in co-operation with British, American, Swiss, Belgian, Netherlands and German radio organizations.

5. The demand for television material was greatly stimulated by WRY-and was initially met by television films supplied by the Office of Public Information or the films prepared by UNHCR- "Kryfto" and "We Very Much Regret." These have been shown in North and South America, Europe, Africa and Australasia. The American actor Yul Brynner offered his services as Special Consultant to the UNHCR and made, with the Information Section, a television report which was broadcast by British, Australian and some European stations, and distributed as a film in New Zealand, Kenya and Northern Rhodesia. The Office extended facilities to television services in Belgium, Canada, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom and the United States for special refugee programmes. The UNHCR Office in Hong Kong also co-operated with visiting television teams.

6. A film, " The Camp," was made for World Refugee Year and was distributed commercially in Australia, Belgium, France, Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom, and in addition, was given wide non-theatrical distribution in many other countries, including Argentina and Ghana.

7. The Office made a special effort to give the widest publicity support to the issue of World Refugee Year stamps on 7 April.

8. The French-speaking press was invited to a visit of refugee areas in Europe; the overseas Press received direct from the Office, through United Nations information centres, through news services, and through their own correspondents basic information particularly relating to resettlement operations, and also on the camp clearance scheme.

APPENDIX REPORT ON THE THIRD SESSION OF THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE OF THE HIGH COMMISSIONER'S PROGRAMME (Geneva, 7 to 13 April 1960)

I. Introduction

Opening of the session

1. The Executive Committee of the High Commissioner's Programme held its third session from 7-13 April 1960 at the Palais des Nations, Geneva. The Governments members of the Executive Committee were represented as follows:

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The Government of Venezuela was not represented at the session.

2. The Governments of Ghana, Portugal and the United Arab Republic were represented by observers, as was the Sovereign Order of Malta.

3. The International Labour Organisation, the World Health Organization, the Council of Europe, the Intergovernmental Committee for European Migration and the League of Arab States were also represented by observers.

4. The meeting was opened by Mr. M. Wershof (Canada), Chairman of the second session of the Committee.

Election of officers

5. Mr. J. de Rham (Switzerland) was elected Chairman, Mr. H. de Souza-Gomes (Brazil) Vice-Chairman and Mr. W. G. Middlemann (Germany) Rapporteur.

Adoption of the agenda

6. The Committee adopted the following agenda on the understanding that the problems of Chinese refugees would be considered under item 8, report of the working party, and that the questions of resettlement and refugee housing would be considered under item 10, UNHCR programmes for 1960-second part:

(1) Election of officers

(2) Adoption of the agenda

(3) Progress report on UNHCR programmes for 1959 and on the former UNREF programme as of 31 December 1959

(4) Report on programme for new Hungarian refugees

(5) Report on the implementation of General Assembly resolutions 1286 (XIII) and 1389 (XIV) on assistance to refugees from Algeria in Morocco and Tunisia

(6) Provisional financial statements for the year 1959

(7) Status of governmental and private contributions

(8) Report of the Working Party established by the Executive Committee at its second session

(9) Assistance to refugees in the special cases category-report by Dr. Strotzka, Mental Health Adviser

(10) Second part of UNHCR programmes for 1960

(a) Programme allocations for 1960

(b) Far Eastern Programme

(c) Camp Clearance Programme and Fund for Special Hardship Cases

(d) Programme for non-settled refugees outside camps

(e) Programme for new refugees in Greece

(f) Legal assistance programme

(g) Priorities for 1960

(11) Administrative expenditure for 1960-supplementary estimates

(12) World Refugee Year

(13) Allocations for 1961

Statement by the High Commissioner

7. The High Commissioner in his introductory statement (reproduced in full in document A/AC.96/75) reviewed some of the main problems before the Committee as well as the progress achieved in solving them, and drew attention in this connexion to the favourable prospects of World Refugee Year.

8. The High Commissioner referred in particular to the permanent solutions programmes which were being carried out by his Office, to the financial contributions which were being made available to these programmes, to the question of resettlement, the problem of new Hungarian refugees, and the problem of refugees from Algeria in Tunisia and Morocco. The High Commissioner also summed up developments in the field of legal protection and announced the results achieved in carrying out the joint UNHCR/UNRWA Stamp Plan.

II. Progress report on UNHCR programmes for 1959 and on the former UNREF programme

9. The Committee considered the progress report (A/AC.96/57).

10. The High Commissioner pointed out that by 31 December 1959 a total of 70,600 refugees had benefited under UNHCR programmes, compared with 62,265 on 30 June 1959. UNHCR programmes now included an increasing number of different types of solutions which were being implemented in a greater number of countries. The High Commissioner pointed out, however, that as the programme developed the proportion of handicapped refugees to be assisted became steadily larger. Difficulties were also being encountered in implementing housing programmes owing to the shortage of land for building near industrial centres and the increasing costs of labour and building materials.

11. The members of the Committee expressed their appreciation of the progress achieved and of the report submitted to them. In the course of the discussion the Committee heard from a statement by the representative of Greece that henceforth the refugee camp population would have priority for assistance under UNHCR programmes. He pointed out, however, that the needs of the other refugees were sometimes even greater. The Committee also heard with interest that it was expected that refugees in the two camps which remained to be cleared in Greece would be settled in the near future.

12. The Committee took note of the fact that certain activities of UNHCR and Governments to assist refugees were not included in the report as they did not involve expenditure under UNHCR's annual programmes. The Committee decided that an indication to this effect be included in future progress reports.

13. The Committee also considered a not on the use of the Emergency Fund (A/AC.96/72) set up under the terms of General Assembly resolution 1166 (XII), showing that as at 31 December 1959 an amount of $155,615 had accrued to the Fund mainly as a result of repayments of loans by refugees. The High Commissioner informed the Committee that there were prospects that repayments in a similar amount would be made in the course of 1960.

14. The Executive Committee took note with appreciation of the progress report on UNHCR programmes for 1959 and on the former UNREF programme and of the note on the use of the Emergency Fund.

III. Progress report on the programme for new Hungarian refugees

15. The Committee considered the progress report on the programme for new Hungarian refugees (A/AC.96/58 and Add.1) in which the High Commissioner indicated the cumulative progress achieved as at 31 December 1959. The document gave details of movements from Austria ands Yugoslavia and from one resettlement country to another. The Committee also considered the addendum to this document which contains projects to be implemented from the remaining funds available for the integration of Hungarian refugees in Austria.

16. The High Commissioner stressed that there remained in Austria a certain number of non-settled Hungarian refugees, some of whom wished to emigrate to other countries. He appealed to Governments to admit them for resettlement. The High Commissioner also referred to the question of reimbursement of costs incurred by the Yugoslav Government for assistance to Hungarian refugees on its territory.

17. In the course of the discussion it was recalled that resettlement opportunities would also have to be found for a certain number of Hungarian refugees who had been admitted temporarily to certain countries. The representative of Australia pointed out that there were resettlement opportunities for Hungarian refugees in Australia which, during the last ten months, had met with a disappointing response. A suggestion that assistance be provided to Hungarian refugee students in Austria from the balance of funds for assistance to new Hungarian refugees was considered and it was agreed that the High Commissioner would study the matter in co-operation with the Austrian authorities.

18. The Executive Committee took note with satisfaction of the progress report on the programme for new Hungarian refugees and of its addendum. The Committee took note of the tentative allocations in an amount of $410,000 for the integration of new Hungarian refugees in Austria as described in paragraphs 14, 15 and 16 of document A/AC.96/58/Add.1. The Committee also agreed that the balance of $80,095 be reserved for assistance to new Hungarian refugees who were not covered by the present allocations and authorized the High Commissioner to make further allocations for assistance to such refugees within the amount available.

IV. Report on the implementation of General Assembly resolutions 1286 (XIII) and 1389 (XIV) on assistance to refugees from Algeria in Morocco and Tunisia

19. The Committee considered the report by the High Commissioner on assistance to refugees from Algeria in Tunisia and Morocco (A/AC/.96/59 and Add.1) which gave an outline of the problem, detailed information on contributions and expenditure, a description of the current operation and an analysis of further requirements.

20. The Director (Office of the High Commissioner) gave an eyewitness account of the actual situation of the refugees in both countries, the details of which may be found in the summary record of the twenty-fourth meeting. He stated that the refugees were now receiving the basic ration outlined in paragraph 7 of the document and in addition a blanket each and clothing. He pointed out that the number of refugees had increased to over 200,000 and that all those registered for food rations were receiving them. Further information on the number of refugees and its budgetary implications would be given to the Committee at its fourth session.

21. At present it was estimated that $6 million was required annually for the basic relief programme. For an extension of health services, supplementary feeding, education for some 65,000 children and blankets and clothing for the next winter an additional $3 million would be needed, which the High Commissioner hoped it would be possible to raise on the occasion of World Refugee Year.

22. The representative of the League of Red Cross societies also gave a brief account of the action taken by the League in close co-operation with the Office of the High Commissioner. He stressed the further needs of the refugees for the coming winter and expressed the hope that, as a result of the continued efforts of the Governments and voluntary agencies, further contributions would be forthcoming.

23. In the course of the discussion, members of the Committee expressed their satisfaction with the action taken by the Office of the High Commissioner and the League of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies. They were pleased to note that the situation of the refugees, and particularly of the children, had improved.

24. The representative of France informed the Committee that the French Government would very shortly be making available to the High Commissioner, for assistance to Algerian French nationals who had withdrawn into Morocco and Tunisia, a sum of about $255,000, representing the balance of the payment of 250 million old francs which he had announced at the Committee's second session. The French delegation confirmed the position it had already defined at the Committee's previous sessions. That position continued to be the basis of the co-operation which the French Government wished to maintain with the High Commissioner, and of the action it proposed to pursue with a view to achieving a speedy and humane solution of the problem.

25. Other representatives also informed the Committee of the contributions which their countries had already made or which they were about to make towards the relief programme: in Germany, the Catholic Church had contributed $125,000 and the Red Cross and the Protestant churches had also contributed large amounts; a part of the $5,000 special World Refugee Year contribution of the Greek Government would be reserved for refugees from Algeria; a Norwegian contribution in an amount of $223,000 had recently been made; the Swedish Red Cross was about to contribute to the basic relief programme the funds which it had just collected as a result of a radio appeal; in the United Kingdom, the World Refugee Year Committee had already decided to reserve part of its central fund for refugees from Algeria and had already earmarked over œ50,000 to this effect; since the High Commissioner's first appeal the United States had sent nearly $13 million worth of relief; the 50,000,000 dinars contribution of the Yugoslav Government had been made available in the form of supplies for the winter, half for Morocco and half for Tunisia.

26. The representative of Tunisia pointed out that since a general solution of the problem was not in sight, further measures for the relief of the refugees would be required in accordance with the provisions of resolutions 1286 (XIII) and 1389(XIV) of the General Assembly. He felt that only the minimum needs of the refugees were being met and that much remained to be done with regard to housing and medical assistance. Considerable additional financial contributions would therefore be required.

27. The question of the number of refugees in both countries was raised by some representatives, and the Executive Committee agreed that further details on this matter should be submitted by the High Commissioner at its fourth session.

28. The Committee also agreed that a twelve months' budget for the basic programme be drawn up as already planned by the Office of the High Commissioner, for consideration at the Committee's next session.

29. The question was raised as to whether the problem should not be approached from a long term point of view, for instance by putting into effect vocational training programmes which would enable the refugees to prepare themselves for a return to normal existence. There was general agreement that elementary education should precede vocational training and that funds should only be used for these purposes after the basic needs of the refugees had been fully met.

30. The Committee expressed its thanks to the Governments and organizations which had contributed to the programme of assistance to refugees from Algeria in Morocco and Tunisia. It expressed its appreciation of the activities of the Office of the High Commissioner for Refugees and of the League of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies. The Executive Committee approved with satisfaction the report by the High Commissioner for Refugees and the proposals contained therein. In also supported the appeal which the High Commissioner was launching, on the occasion of World Refugee Year, for special contributions for assistance to Algerian refugees.

V. Extent of international assistance to be given to refugees

Report of the working party

General discussion

31. The Committee considered the report of the Working Party (A/AC.96/74) which it had established at its second session mainly to make recommendations on the extent of international assistance to be given to certain categories of refugees.32. In presenting the report of the Working Party, its Chairman and Rapporteur, Mr. H. Scheltema (Netherlands), emphasized that, while largely as a result of World Refugee Year some of the main problems before the Office of the High Commissioner might be solved in the near future, the High Commission would still be faced with a considerable problem of non-settled refugees outside camps: over 90,000, including some 20,000 physically handicapped and 9,700 socially handicapped refugees.

33. The Working Party had recognized the necessity for international assistance to be provided for these refugees taking into account the degree of their need and the possibility of assistance from within their country of residence.

34. In the course of the discussion, attention was drawn to the fact that it was difficult to make sharp distinctions between socially handicapped refugees and non-settled non-handicapped refugees, and that timely assistance to the latter group would prevent many of them from subsequently falling into one of the handicapped categories.

35. The Executive Committee endorsed the general principles and considerations contained in the report of the Working Party and then considered the individual sections of the report.