16 December 1981

Humanitarian assistance to refugees in Djibouti

The General Assembly,

Recalling its resolution 35/182 of 15 December 1980 on the humanitarian assistance to refugees in Djibouti,

Recalling also Economic and Social Council resolutions 1980/11 of 28 April 1980, 1980/44 of 23 July 1980 and 1981/4 of 4 May l98l on assistance to the refugees in Djibouti,

Having heard the statement of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees,

Taking note with satisfaction of the report of the Secretary-General on the situation of the refugees in Djibouti and the report of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees annexed thereto,

Deeply concerned about the persistence of the food shortage in the country, which has been aggravated by the devasting effects of the prolonged drought,

Aware of the determined efforts made by the Government of Djibouti to cope with the refugee situation, despite the impact of the devastating effects of the prolonged drought,

Aware also of the consequences of the social and economic burden placed on the Government and people of Djibouti as a result of the influx of refugees and the subsequent impact on the national development and the infrastructure of the country,

Noting with satisfaction the concern and continued efforts of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, the United Nations Development Programme, the United Nations Children's Fund, the World Health Organization, the World Food Programme and the intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations, which have worked closely with the Government of Djibouti in the relief and rehabilitation programme for the refugees and drought-stricken population in Djibouti,

1. Takes note with appreciation of the report of the Secretary-General on humanitarian assistance to the refugees in Djibouti and that of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees annexed thereto;

2. Appreciates the efforts made by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees to keep the refugee situation under constant review and invite him to continue his humanitarian assistance to the refugees in Djibouti;

3. Requests the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees to continue to ensure that adequate assistance programmes are organized for the refugees and to maintain close contact with Member States, intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations concerned to mobilize the necessary assistance to the Government of Djibouti to cope effectively with the refugee situation aggravated by the debilitating effects of the drought;

4. Calls upon all Member States, the organizations of the United Nations system, the specialized agencies and the intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations to continue to support the efforts made by the Government of Djibouti to cope with the needs of the refugee population and other victims of the drought;

5. Requests the Secretary-General, in co-operation with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, to review the present situation of refugees in Djibouti and to report to the Economic and Social Council at its first regular session of 1982 and to the General Assembly at its thirty-seventh session on the progress achieved with regard to the refugee situation in Djibouti.