United Nations assistance to East Pakistan refugees through the United Nations focal point and United Nations humanitarian assistance to East Pakistan

2790 (XXVI)

XXVI. RESOLUTIONS ADOPTED ON THE REPORTS OF THE THIRD COMMITTEE

2790. United Nations assistance to East Pakistan refugees through the United Nations focal point and United Nations humanitarian assistance to East Pakistan

A

The General Assembly,

Noting the report of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees on his activities as the focal point in co-ordinating international relief assistance for refugees from East Pakistan in India,¹

Noting also the report of the Secretary-General on the United Nations programme of relief assistance to the people of East Pakistan,²

Wishing to pay a tribute to the Secretary-General and the High Commissioner, and to their staffs, for the work they have done under difficult conditions,

Deeply concerned at the magnitude of the human suffering to which the crisis in East Pakistan has given rise and at its possible consequences,

Concerned also at the heavy burden imposed on India and at the disturbing influence of the general situation on the process of economic and social development in the area,

Noting with appreciation the prompt and generous response of the international community to the needs that have arisen from the crisis, including the efforts of non-governmental organizations to raise funds for the relief of the suffering,

Recognizing that voluntary repatriation is the only satisfactory solution to the refugee problem and that this is fully accepted by all concerned,

Believing that the voluntary repatriation of the refugees can be brought about only if a climate of confidence is created,

Convinced that further large-scale international assistance is required to meet the needs of the refugees in India and of the people of East Pakistan,

1. Expresses its profound sympathy with those who have suffered from the situation in the area;

2. Endorses the designation by the Secretary-General of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees to be the focal point for the co-ordination of assistance to East Pakistan refugees in India, from and through the United Nations system, as well as the Secretary-General's initiative in establishing the United Nations East Pakistan relief operation;

3. Requests the Secretary-General and the High Commissioner to continue their efforts to co-ordinate international assistance and to ensure that it is used to the maximum advantage to relieve the suffering of the refugees in India and of the people of East Pakistan;

4. Appeals to Governments, inter-governmental agencies and non-governmental organizations to intensify their efforts to assist directly or indirectly, with the collaboration of the Governments concerned, in relieving the suffering of the refugees in India and of the people of East Pakistan;

5. Urges all Member States in accordance with the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations to intensify their efforts to bring about conditions necessary for the speedy and voluntary repatriation of the refugees to their homes.

2001st plenary meeting,
6 December 1971

B

The General Assembly,

Recognizing the large-scale efforts undertaken for humanitarian reasons to meet the unprecedented problems confronting the international community,

Aware of the urgency and extreme seriousness of the situation of the refugees, which is assuming dangerous proportions,

Recommends that the President of the General Assembly should make a statement indicating:

(a) The concern of the international community, which has seldom been confronted with a refugee problem of such enormous dimensions as that of the refugees from East Pakistan in India;

(b) That the voluntary participation of Governments and organizations should be continued and intensified with a view to assisting the Secretary-General and his representative, and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees acting as the focal point, in their meritorious humanitarian action for the relief of the suffering of the refugees and of the population of East Pakistan;

(c) That the only solution to this grave refugee problem is the safe return of the refugees to their homes and that this requires a favourable climate which all persons of goodwill should work to bring about in a spirit of respect for the principles of the Charter of the United Nations.

2001st plenary meeting,
6 December 1971

1 See Official Records of the General Assembly, Twenty. sixth Session, Third Committee, 1876th meeting.

2 Ibid., 1877th meeting.