Assistance to refugees and displaced persons in Malawi

A/RES/42/132

The General Assembly,

Having heard the report of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees regarding the refugee situation in Malawi,

Expressing its appreciation for the efforts of the Government of Malawi in providing shelter and asylum to the thousands of refugees and displaced persons,

Recognizing the consequences of the social and economic burden placed on the Government and people of Malawi as a result of the influx of refugees and displaced persons and the subsequent impact on national development and the infrastructure of that country,

Noting with appreciation the action already taken by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees and other international humanitarian organizations in establishing a programme of emergency assistance to the refugees and displaced persons in Malawi,

Noting that a United Nations inter-agency team is currently visiting Malawi to discuss with the Government ways and means of strengthening its capacity to cope with the burden imposed on its economy, vital resources and public services by the presence of refugees and displaced persons and to prepare a comprehensive programme of assistance, combining both refugee-related humanitarian and development needs for eventual submission to the international community,

1. Commends the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees and the United Nations Development Programme for their timely action in sending an inter-agency mission to Malawi to ascertain the needs of the refugees and displaced persons in Malawi and the magnitude of assistance required;

2. Requests the Secretary-General, in close co-operation with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees and the Administrator of the United Nations Development Programme, to give the report of the inter-agency mission the widest possible circulation to all States, all pertinent international organizations and voluntary agencies;

3. Further requests the Secretary-General, in close co-operation with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees and the Administrator of the United Nations Development Programme, to mobilize international assistance and to launch an international appeal for generous contributions to the projects and programmes recommended in the report of the inter-agency mission;

4. Appeals to Member States, the High Commissioner, the United Nations organizations concerned and voluntary agencies to render maximum financial and material assistance to the Government of Malawi in its efforts to provide shelter, food and other services to the growing number of refugees and displaced persons in that country;

5. Requests the Secretary-General to report to the Economic and Social Council at its first regular session of 1988 and to the General Assembly at its forty-third session on the implementation of the present resolution.