Emergency humanitarian assistance to Liberian refugees and displaced persons: resolution / adopted by the General Assembly

A/RES/45/139

The General Assembly,

Bearing in mind the civil strife that has in the past year ravaged the West African State of Liberia, decimated its population and forced thousands of Liberians to become refugees abroad or displaced persons within their own homeland,

Having considered the report of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, in which he asserts that developments in the West African subregion necessitate new emergency operations,

Deeply concerned about the mass exodus of innocent victims of the Liberian civil strife into neighbouring West African countries and the enormous burden that this movement has placed on the infrastructure and already insufficient resources of the West African countries concerned,

Aware that the majority of the refugees and displaced persons are women and children, who are particularly vulnerable to the hardship imposed on them by the unfortunate circumstances,

Noting the determined and sustained efforts being made by the Governments of the West African countries hardest hit by the crisis to cater to and restore faith and hope among the Liberian refugees in their countries,

1. Expresses its appreciation to the Secretary-General for having taken steps to encourage continued and concerted international action in favour of Liberian refugees and displaced persons;

2. Acknowledges, with grateful appreciation, the emergency humanitarian assistance provided by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees and the governmental and intergovernmental agencies to the thousands of Liberian refugees and displaced persons in the West African subregion;

3. Appeals to the organizations of the United Nations system, Member States and international and voluntary organizations, including non-governmental organizations in consultative status with the Economic and Social Council, to intensify urgent humanitarian and other assistance for the relief and rehabilitation of the victims of the Liberian civil strife taking refuge in neighbouring West African countries;

4. Also appeals to the organizations of the United Nations system, governmental and intergovernmental bodies, as well as non-governmental organizations, to provide the necessary material and financial assistance for the return and resettlement of the victims of the Liberian civil war;

5. Requests the High Commissioner to continue his efforts to mobilize additional resources necessary for the rehabilitation of Liberian refugees and displaced persons and to find a durable solution to the problem of Liberian refugees;

6. Requests the Secretary-General, in co-operation with the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, to report on the implementation of the present resolution to the General Assembly at its forty-sixth session.