Situation of refugees in Africa: resolution / adopted by the Economic and Social Council

E/RES/1980/55

1980/55. Situation of refugees in Africa

The Economic and Social Council,

Having considered resolution CM/Res. 814 (XXXV) adopted by the Council of Ministers of the Organization of African Unity at its thirty-fifth ordinary session, held at Freetown, Sierra Leone, from 18 to 28 June 1980, by which it expressed its deep concern over the ever-increasing number of refugees in Africa and the alarming deterioration of their living conditions,

Aware that the serious situation arising from the growing number of refugees, currently estimated at five million, places a heavy social and economic burden on the host countries which provide the refugees with asylum or relief,

Conscious of the need for greater attention to be paid by the international community to the plight of refugees in Africa and, for that purpose, the need for the intensified dissemination of information on the problem,

Appreciating the assistance given so far by the international community to refugees in Africa,

Noting, however, that the amount of assistance received falls far short of the over-all requirements to meet the needs of the refugees,

1. Takes note of resolution CM/Res. 814 (XXXV) of the Council of Ministers of the Organization of African Unity, in particular paragraph 8 thereof, relating to the need for an international pledging conference for refugees in Africa;

2. Requests the Secretary-General, in co-operation with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, to consult the Secretary-General of the Organization of African Unity on appropriate ways and means of convening such a conference;

3. Further requests the Secretary-General of the United Nations to arrange for consultation with the competent United Nations agencies and bodies for the purpose of preparing an adequate publicity programme giving special attention to the conditions and needs of refugees in Africa;

4. Requests the Secretary-General to report to the General Assembly at its thirty-fifth session on the progress of his consultations;

5. Appeals, meanwhile, to all Member States and appropriate United Nations organizations and programmes to provide the maximum financial and material assistance to refugees in Africa, as well as to the Governments of the countries of asylum, in order that the latter may strengthen their capacity to act as hosts to the refugees and to provide the necessary services for their care, rehabilitation and resettlement.