Assistance to refugees in Somalia

A/RES/38/88

RESOLUTION ADOPTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY

Assistance to refugees in Somalia

The General Assembly,

Recalling its resolutions 35/180 of 15 December 1980, 36/153 of 16 December 1981 and 37/174 of 17 December 1982 on the question of assistance to refugees in Somalia,

Recalling also Economic and Social Council resolutions 1981/31 of 6 May 1981 and 1982/4 of 27 April 1982,

Noting the report of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees on the conditions of the refugees in Somalia, particularly paragraph 6 of the report,

Deeply concerned that the refugee problem in Somalia has not yet been resolved,

Recognizing from the recommendations contained in the report of the High Commissioner that there remains an urgent need for increased assistance in the provision of food, water and medicines, the strengthening of health and educational facilities in the refugee camps, and the expansion of the number of self-help schemes and small-scale farming and fruit-growing projects necessary for the promotion of self-reliance among the refugees,

Noting the decision of the Government of Somalia to facilitate a programme of local settlement of the refugees,

Aware of the consequences of the social and economic burden placed on the Government and people of Somalia as a result of the continued presence of refugees and the consequent impact on the national development and the infrastructure of the country,

1. Takes note of the report of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees;

2. Expresses its appreciation to the High Commissioner for his continued efforts to mobilize international assistance on behalf of the refugees in Somalia;

3. Takes note with satisfaction of the assistance rendered to refugees in Somalia by various Member States, the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, the World Food Programme, the United Nations Children's Fund and other concerned intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations;

4. Appeals to Member States, international organizations and voluntary agencies to render maximum material, financial and technical assistance to the Government of Somalia in its efforts to provide all necessary assistance to the refugees;

5. Notes with satisfaction the visit of the United Nations technical inter-agency mission to Somalia from 19 October to 9 November 1983 to review with the Government a comprehensive settlement programme for refugees who wish to be settled in the country;

6. Notes that the Government of Somalia will indicate to the Second International Conference on Assistance to Refugees in Africa, to be held at Geneva in 1984, its additional needs for material and financial help to assist the refugees in that country;

7. Requests the High Commissioner to make a further comprehensive review of the overall needs of the refugees, taking into account those aspects relating to their rehabilitation and settlement;

8. Also requests the High Commissioner, in consultation with the Secretary-General, to apprise the Economic and Social Council, at its second regular session of 1984, of the proposed review of the refugee situation in Somalia;

9. Further requests the High Commissioner, in consultation with the Secretary-General, to submit a report to the General Assembly at its thirty-ninth session on the progress achieved in the implementation of the present resolution.