http://www.unhcr.org Speeches by Auguste R. Lindt en-gb Sat, 25 May 2013 09:49:57 GMT UNHCR 2013 60 Has so far transported 470,000 refugees to new lives
ICEM also does much else, e.g. registration, documentation, preselection, language training
Uses wider definition of refugee than UNHCR's ("a person who left his country and is in need")
One benefit of World Refugee Year has been increased take-up of handicapped refugees
Canada, Australia and New Zealand to renew their schemes for handicapped refugees
New Bill in USA promises to match 25% of refugee take-up elsewhere in the world
Australia expecting to take 14,000 this year (a record 9,000 last year)]]> http://www.unhcr.org/3ae68fb820.html http://www.unhcr.org/3ae68fb820.html Mon, 5 Dec 1960 00:00:01 GMT The Far Eastern operation will have to continue for some time to come"
Camp Clearance programme now fully funded (due mostly World Refugee Year)
At end 1960, still some 65,000 non-settled refugees outside camps in Europe
Over 200,000 Algerian refugees in Morocco and Tunisia, joint UNHCR/Red Cross programme assisting
Increased numbers of government donors underlines geographical spread of UNHCR's work]]> http://www.unhcr.org/3ae68fd334.html http://www.unhcr.org/3ae68fd334.html Thu, 20 Oct 1960 00:00:01 GMT General Assembly refugee definition for World Refugee Year much wider than UNHCR mandate definition
This tendency already noted in GA request to UNHCR to help with funding for Chinese in Hong Kong
HC tempted to see this as a recognition of the social and economic aspects of refugee issues
Aspects of international protection benefiting from WRY:
Issue of indemnification of refugees in Germany
Feeding stations for Algerian refugee children successful
20,000 refugees still in European camps
Group planning no longer possible for these, they are all individual cases
This would be impossible without counsellors of voluntary agencies
Hopeful that funds resulting from WRY will enable Camp Clearance programme to end
Outside the camps, WRY money has enabled a beginning on a programme for handicapped refugees
Of $12,000,000 yearly target, only $8,500,000 received
Nearly half received has come from private sector
Chinese refugees in Hong Kong have benefited from increased donations]]> http://www.unhcr.org/3ae68fb80.html http://www.unhcr.org/3ae68fb80.html Mon, 25 Jul 1960 00:00:01 GMT 1. Increasing awareness of refugee issues and populations
2. Increased emigration possibilities
3. Money ("sad to mention it")
Many could help from the special focus of WRY:
Palestinians, and UNRWA's needs to do something worthwhile for them ($3,000,000)
Those in the (shameful) camps still existing in prosperous Europe
200,000 Algerians in Morocco and Tunisia living in mud huts
Chain reaction is what World Refugee Year needs
UNHCR staff must be a part of this chain]]> http://www.unhcr.org/3ae68fd348.html http://www.unhcr.org/3ae68fd348.html Thu, 28 Jan 1960 00:00:01 GMT Also pushed it through to acceptance by UK government]]> http://www.unhcr.org/3ae68fd354.html http://www.unhcr.org/3ae68fd354.html Fri, 1 Jan 1960 00:00:01 GMT New possibilities, from additional contributions and also from emigration offers
Non-Settled Refugee Caseload
Autumn 1959: 110,000 non-settled refugees in Europe (22,000 in camps), reduction of 50%
Hungarian Refugee Problem
Still 2,100 Hungarian refugees camps in Austria
HC gratified that appeal to countries to take Hungarians who wanted to go there was so well received
USA, Australia and Canada foremost in this
Factors Influencing Emigration
Beware changes of mind and resignation following many rejections
Concrete offers result in better take-up than abstract talk
Refugees of European Origin in the Far East
Joint UNHCR/ICEM operation
8,100 refugees still wait on the mainland of China
ICEM still needs $2,500,000 to finance transportation
UNHCR still needs $1,470,000 for assistance and settlement
Promotion of Resettlement Opportunities
Differences between emigration of a 'normal' national and a refugee
Because of these, refugees often try harder once they've arrived
Current Resettlement Schemes
Details given by receiving region and receiving countries
HC would like priority in emigration to go to refugees in camps]]> http://www.unhcr.org/3ae68fd414.html http://www.unhcr.org/3ae68fd414.html Fri, 20 Nov 1959 00:00:01 GMT By autumn 1959, camp population down to 22,000, non-settled population now 110,000
This despite further influx over year of 6,000
Hungarian refugee problem
Progress being made but not fast enough
Yugoslav government still facing a deficit of $3,600,000
10,000 still in Austria, 2,100 in camps
List of preferred emigration countries
Refugees from Algeria in Tunisia and Morocco
Approximately 180,000 Algerian refugees in Morocco and Tunisia
Programme is strictly a relief one, UNHCR liaising and supervising
Main items required are food, clothing and blankets
Regular Programs of International Assistance
United Nations Refugee Fund dissolved on 31 December 1958
In 4 years, total income was $17,000,000; in same period, 62,000 refugees had benefited
General Assembly resolution 1166 (XII) sets up ExCom to control future funding and programmes
1959 priority to Camp Clearance and Far Eastern programmes
Far Eastern Program
Joint UNHCR/ICEM resettlement operation
3,800 more visas needed before programme can be terminated
Camp Clearance Program
As at 1 July 1959, 23,700 refugees in 114 official camps
A counsellor who has worked in the camps for 14 years quoted as saying he can see the end
Biggest difficulty is finding affordable housing
Mental health advisor appointed for some of the more difficult cases
1959/1960 requirements are $5,690,000, at present $2,500,000 available
Program for non-settled refugees living outside camps
90,000 non-settled refugees living outside camps in various European countries
Funding shortfalls have hampered dealing with this population
Some 27,000 nevertheless helped (nearly 20,000 firmly settled)
Protection
HC feels there is a need for a) improved liaison with governments b) specialising protection duties within UNHCR
Progress in international ratifications and accessions listed
Repatriation and resettlement
World Refugee Year has added impetus for many governments to reconsider policies and procedures
Specific WRY government initiatives listed
HC expects most important impact of WRY to be in immigration
Contributions to UNHCR
"One of the purposes of World Refugee Year is to obtain additional funds for international assistance to refugees"
Contribution and budget details listed
Chinese Refugees in Hong Kong
$10,000 now received for assistance, more promised (details given)]]> http://www.unhcr.org/3ae68fb914.html http://www.unhcr.org/3ae68fb914.html Mon, 2 Nov 1959 00:00:01 GMT Idea is to allow each country which to help whatever group of refugees it desires
To date 54 countries have signed up
Voluntary Repatriation
UNHCR facilitates by paying transportation when necessary
UNHCR Programmes
By mid-1959, 41 countries had contributed (compare 21-2 in 1955-58)
Camp Clearance and far Eastern operation
By mid-1958, 17,000 refugees within Camp Clearance Programme
Non-settled Refugees living outside camps
To date have received "a rather raw deal"
Funds earmarked for 1960 to make "a real attack" on this problem
Refugee Emergencies
Includes refugees from Tibet and Algeria
Concerns for Algerians in Morocco and Tunisia that feeding programme still not enough
Just 3,000 Hungarians left in camps in Austria by mid-1959
Chinese Refugees in Hong-Kong
UNHCR asked to use good offices to help funding
Initial response disappointing, but World Refugee Year has helped
All in all, WRY has so far produced extra funding of $3,400,000]]> http://www.unhcr.org/3ae68fb714.html http://www.unhcr.org/3ae68fb714.html Mon, 20 Jul 1959 00:00:01 GMT To benefit all refugees, not just those under UNHCR mandate
Figures for non-settled refugee in Europe as at 1 January 1959
UNHCR priorities often circumscribed by need for political solutions, in which case assistance necessary
Not all refugees want to emigrate
If a refugee has put down roots, don't disturb him
Integration and emigration should be handled simultaneously
Suggestion that States could set quotas for refugees in their immigration schemes
Lists some current State limitations on immigration
E.g. age limits, limits on families with many children, selection by skills possessed, exclusion of the sick or handicapped
Suggests that a particular government could take on and deal with the whole population of a particular camp
Efforts must however continue beyond World Refugee Year itself]]> http://www.unhcr.org/3ae68fb41c.html http://www.unhcr.org/3ae68fb41c.html Thu, 9 Apr 1959 00:00:01 GMT "The plain fact is that some 440,000 refugees have found permanent solutions for their problems in the past four years by means of emigration, voluntary repatriation and local integration"
Not all down to UNHCR of course, lists those others who have shared in this success
Divides refugee problems into the "stagnant" and the "dynamic"
Camp Clearance
Camp population in Europe example of the former
Problems associated with long-term residence in a camp
Figures for reduction in camp population 1957-1958
Far Eastern Programme
Joint ICEM/UNHCR 3-year programme
Funding crisis previous year partially resolved, for now
Wait for those remaining however still too long
Out-of-Camp Problem
As of mid=1957, 120,000 non-settled cases in Austria, France, West Germany, Greece, Italy and Turkey
Not enough funds to cope with all these, difficult to swallow need to prioritise
Special Refugee Problems
Italy in bad way economically, camp population there growing
Also issues in Greece, Middle East and Tunisia
Chinese refugees in Hong Kong not UNHCR mandate but of international concern, UNHCR helping
Hungarian Refugees
Of some 200,000 who left Hungary, none are left unsettled in Yugoslavia
However, Yugoslav government left with deficit of $3,600,000
15,900 remain in Austria, 5,900 in camps
Emigration arrangements pending for many of these, UNHCR integration programme to handle the rest
International Protection
Includes eligibility determination, travel and identity documents, right to work
Particular case of refugee seamen, and international Agreement that should help solve it
ExCom has approved more money for legal protection activities, and for a legal assistance programme
Emigration
Talks with governments on quotas for refugees in their immigration plans
Trend visible towards a more generous approach
World Refugee Year
Has been proposed]]> http://www.unhcr.org/3ae68fb52c.html http://www.unhcr.org/3ae68fb52c.html Mon, 3 Nov 1958 00:00:01 GMT Explanation of which refugees come under UNHCR mandate, and why
Two kinds of refugee problems: a) residue of earlier movements b) newer flows
Integration usually best for former, emigration sometimes better for latter
Hungarian exodus example of latter; almost all either emigrated or returned home
However, still 15,900 Hungarians in Austria, including 5,900 in official camps
UNHCR integration programme for these concentrates on housing and small loans, education
For older populations camps to be cleared (vocational training, small loans and housing, concentrating on families with handicapped persons and with children)
Excluding Hungarians, 20,000 new refugees entered Western European countries in 1957
120,000 non-settled refugees outside camps Europe calls for a series of annual programmes
But funding shortfalls mean that invidious choices between priorities have to be made
Another issue is Europeans (mainly White Russians) in China, 10,000 remain
Funding for Chinese in Hong Kong so far disappointing
Experience with Hungarians has sensitised some governments (including that of United States) to refugee issues
One result of this is increased support for family reunification
Future success will depend on sharing the refugee burden equitably between international community as a whole]]> http://www.unhcr.org/3ae68fd3c.html http://www.unhcr.org/3ae68fd3c.html Tue, 28 Oct 1958 00:00:01 GMT 1955-1958 UNHCR funding shortfall has been $1,500,000
In that time 46,000 refugees have benefited from UNHCR programmes
$5,700,000 needed for completion of camp programme by end-1960
Hungarian residual population
Europeans in China residual population
Emphasises need for reliable and early funding for programme planning
Total needs for 1959 programmes: $6,000,000]]> http://www.unhcr.org/3ae68fd35c.html http://www.unhcr.org/3ae68fd35c.html Mon, 27 Oct 1958 00:00:01 GMT Important aspect of UNHCR's protection work is ensuring no undue pressure either for or against repatriation
Agreement reached on refugee seamen
Agreement reached at Council of Europe on refugee travel documents
UNHCR objective #1: "to solve as rapidly as possible any new refugee problem either through emigration, repatriation or integration in the country of residence"
UNHCR objective #2: "to concentrate on solving the residual problems of former refugee influxes and, for as long as the means at the disposal of my Office are inadequate, to determine priorities"
Refugee issues can be solved, look at Hungarians:
None now left in Yugoslavia (although government has had to spend far too much of its own money)
In Austria 17,500 remain, 7,000 are in camps, UNHCR programme dealing
Funding holding up operation for European refugees in transit in Hong Kong
Mid-1957 there were still 58,200 refugees in camps in Europe, plus 120,000 not in camps
Funding shortfalls meant that UNHCR had to prioritise, went for those in camps first
$5,900,000 still needed if camps to be cleared by end-1960]]> http://www.unhcr.org/3ae68fca4.html http://www.unhcr.org/3ae68fca4.html Tue, 22 Jul 1958 00:00:01 GMT Importance of eligibility determination
Right to work and possibility of naturalisation key
Recession in some countries causing funding difficulties for UNHCR
Also affecting those refugees who had found employment
Hungarian refugees in Yugoslavia now almost entirely gone
Handicapped and other difficult cases still problematic (2,000 still in Austria)
Problem of refugees in transit in Hong Kong now near to an emergency because no funds
Asks Committee for its guidance on this
Results of report into the refugee population in Europe not in camps summarised
As of May 1958, UNREF funding $7,000,000 short
Some programmes therefore on hold
Budgets and requirements gone into in some detail
Reluctance to fix targets when funding is not ensured]]> http://www.unhcr.org/3ae68fb9c.html http://www.unhcr.org/3ae68fb9c.html Mon, 2 Jun 1958 00:00:01 GMT David Hoggett paralysed from chest down after fall from roof of house he was building
Still active in UK United Nations Association
Thanks to voluntary agencies, without whom the work could never be done]]> http://www.unhcr.org/3ae68fb520.html http://www.unhcr.org/3ae68fb520.html Wed, 1 Jan 1958 00:00:01 GMT Was one of main architects of the internationally planned migration by IRO after WWII
Active also in Hungarian refugee crisis and for European refugees in China
Untimely death in a motor accident, widow received award]]> http://www.unhcr.org/3ae68fb58.html http://www.unhcr.org/3ae68fb58.html Wed, 1 Jan 1958 00:00:01 GMT General remarks
The Hungarian refugee problem
The earlier refugees
Camp closure policy
Other questions
(Ian)
Protection includes freedom of choice for the refugee
199,000 Hungarians left over last year, 179,000 to Austria, 20,000 to Yugoslavia
40 countries worldwide offered places for 165,000
International financial assistance totalled over $20,000,000
Cost to Yugoslavia however much greater than cost to Austria
Some 13,400 Hungarians have gone home, 23,500 remain in Austria and Yugoslavia
UNHCR implementing integration programme for 5,000 in Austria
Success of this operation down to a) speed of response and b) international burden-sharing
Meanwhile there are 39,000 earlier refugees still in camps (plus many outside camps)
European refugees in China: since 1952 9,000 have been resettled
1,500 in transit in Hong Kong, funds available to transfer only 700 out
12,000 remain in China, including 1,000+ difficult cases
In Europe, priority #1 is clearing camps
There are camps in Austria, Germany, Greece, Italy, Turkey
Camp population details enumerated by country
Importance of family unity in emigration
Permanent solutions plan for integration of difficult cases
If finance is forthcoming, all 199 European camps could be closed by end 1960]]> http://www.unhcr.org/3ae68fb618.html http://www.unhcr.org/3ae68fb618.html Mon, 4 Nov 1957 00:00:01 GMT National sovereignty large in both
Previously announced arrangement with Red Cross for tracing not yet implemented]]> http://www.unhcr.org/3ae68fb810.html http://www.unhcr.org/3ae68fb810.html Thu, 6 Jun 1957 00:00:01 GMT Main problems for Committee are Hungarian refugees, UNREF programme, General Assembly review
Astonished by improvement in Austrian camps for Hungarians between December 1956 and March 1957
Of 174,000 who arrived in Austria, 140,000 have now been resettled, 4,000 have gone home, 30,000 remain
Thanks League of Red Cross Societies for its work here (it's going to be awarded the next Nansen Medal)
Notes that with slowing pace of resettlement, morale in camps dipping (e.g. there have been hunger strikes)
Thanks Switzerland and Belgium for generous (earmarked) contributions
Thanks to overseas contributions, Austria will end up paying under $1,000,000 for shouldering the initial Hungarian burden
Yugoslavia took in some 19,000 Hungarians
8,5000 have been resettled, 6,500 likely to remain
Cost to Yugoslavia set to be some $7,000,000. Fair?
UNREF programme short by nearly $3,000,000 this year
Residual camp population likely to be some 30,000 by end-year
Solving this needs a) more funds for UNREF and b) relaxed immigration criteria
Survey to consider those outside camps and needing assistance
Europeans in China: exit permits coming quicker, maybe 3,000 out this year, likely 900 difficult cases will remain
General Assembly to review UNHCR role in supervision of Convention implementation and determination of eligibility]]> http://www.unhcr.org/3ae68fc310.html http://www.unhcr.org/3ae68fc310.html Mon, 3 Jun 1957 00:00:01 GMT Initial world reaction to Hungarian refugee influx, in Austria particularly
Perhaps a degree of fatigue now creeping in?
Austria still has 30,000, Yugoslavia 15,000 Hungarians. Fair?
Meanwhile there are still 50,000 'old' refugees in the camps in Europe
Would like to complete Hungarian programme this year and concentrate next year on 'old' camp refugees
Hopes that recent relaxation of emigration criteria for Hungarians might be extended for others
Sees more emigration for 'old' caseload, plus greater efforts to integration
Because voluntary agencies have direct access to public opinion, they can help in this]]> http://www.unhcr.org/3ae68fd318.html http://www.unhcr.org/3ae68fd318.html Mon, 27 May 1957 00:00:01 GMT