Situation of refugees in the Sudan

A/RES/42/129

The General Assembly,

Recalling its resolution 41/139 of 4 December 1986 and its other previous resolutions on the situation of refugees in the Sudan,

Having considered the report of the Secretary-General on the situation of refugees in the Sudan and the report of the inter-agency mission annexed thereto,

Appreciating the important measures that the Government of the Sudan is taking in order to provide shelter, protection, food, education and health and other humanitarian services to a very large and persistent number of refugees in the Sudan,

Recognizing the heavy burden placed on the people and Government of the Sudan and the sacrifices they are making in caring for the refugees and the need for adequate international assistance to enable them to continue their efforts to provide assistance to the refugees,

Gravely concerned at the continuing serious social and economic impact of the massive presence of refugees, as well as its far-reaching consequences for the country's development, security and stability,

Expressing its appreciation for the assistance rendered by Member States and intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations in support of the refugee programme in the Sudan,

Bearing in mind the findings and recommendations of the inter-agency mission to the Sudan reported to the General Assembly at its forty-first session, particularly the suggestion that the international community should explore new and effective approaches to ensure that the burden of dealing with refugees is shared more equitably,

Recognizing the need to view refugee-related development projects within local and national development plans,

1. Takes note of the report of the Secretary-General on the implementation of resolution 41/139 and welcomes the report of the inter-agency mission annexed thereto;

2. Commends the measures that the Government of the Sudan is taking to provide material and humanitarian assistance to refugees, in spite of the effects of the drought and the serious economic situation it faces, and stresses the need for additional resources to lessen the impact of the presence of refugees on the economy of this least developed country;

3. Expresses its appreciation to the Secretary-General, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, donor countries and intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations for their efforts to assist the refugees in the Sudan;

4. Expresses grave concern at the serious and far-reaching consequences of the massive presence of refugees in the country on its security, stability and development, as reflected in the reports of the inter-agency missions;

5. Also expresses grave concern at the shrinking resources available for refugee programmes in the Sudan and the serious consequences of this situation for the country's ability to continue to act as host and provide assistance to refugees;

6. Requests the Secretary-General, in following up on the reports of the inter-agency missions and furthering the integration of developmental and refugee aid, to take concrete steps, in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme and the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, for the early implementation of the recommendations contained in the report of the 1987 inter-agency mission;

7. Also requests the Secretary-General to mobilize the necessary financial and material assistance for the full implementation of ongoing projects in the areas affected by the presence of refugees;

8. Appeals to Member States, the appropriate organs, organizations and bodies of the United Nations, intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations and the international financial institutions to provide the Government of the Sudan with the necessary resources for the implementation of development assistance projects in regions affected by the presence of refugees;

9. Requests the High Commissioner to continue co-ordination with the appropriate specialized agencies in order to consolidate and ensure the continuation of essential services to the refugees in their settlements;

10. Requests the Secretary-General to report to the General Assembly at its forty-third session, through the Economic and Social Council, on the implementation of the present resolution.