APPEAL FOR GREATER CONTRIBUTIONS

24 May 1979

Your Excellency,

I wish to refer to the urgent question of refugees and displaced persons from Indochina. During my recent mission to South East Asia, the leaders of these countries raised this question. The acute humanitarian problem posed by the large outflow of people uprooted from Indochina is a source of the most serious concern to governments, and to the United Nations.

The number of refugees and displaced persons from Indochina in South East Asian countries of first asylum has been increasing since 1975 and has dramatically risen since the summer of 1978. Last month alone, more than 25,000 “boat people” arrived in various countries of the region and tens of thousands crossed the border into Thailand, while in the same month only 8,400 left the region for countries of resettlement. Figures for May indicate that an even higher number will be added this month to the quarter of a million presently in camps awaiting resettlement places.

Although much has been done to help alleviate human suffering in the area and to find lasting solutions, this problem has now reached crisis proportions. Within the United Nations’ system, the primary responsibility for humanitarian action in response to refugee problems around the world lies with the High Commissioner for Refugees. In accordance with its mandate, the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees has made every effort to protect and assist those who have left and continue to leave Indochina. The corner-stone of UNHCR’s work is the internationally-accepted humanitarian principle of asylum. Without a generous policy of at least temporary asylum, there can be no basis for humanitarian action. The countries of South East Asia already bear a heavy burden as a result of the outflow from Indochina. They share, with so many other countries, the consequences of the alarming increase in the number of the world’s refugees – today more than 10 million. I would, however, appeal to them, as I did during my mission to the region, that they continue to grant asylum. Those who arrive should not be turned away.

Once asylum is granted, lasting humanitarian solutions must be found. These solutions are possible only if governments make every effort, both singly and jointly, to see how they can best contribute, and if they translate good intentions into action. Since the autumn of last year, the number of countries providing opportunities for permanent settlement, and the number of such opportunities, have doubled. At present, countries have offered 108,000 resettlement places outside South East Asia and this number is likely to surpass 120,000 soon. However, the escalating influx demonstrates dramatically the necessity for additional resettlement offers and I would therefore urge that such offers be increased over and above those already announced to match this acute and growing need.

During my recent discussions in Hanoi, the Vietnamese authorities reiterated their decision to permit orderly departures. Such an arrangement would cover family reunion cases and also take into account other humanitarian considerations, provided entry visas have been granted by the countries of new residence.

Another recent development was last week’s meeting of governments in Djakarta to discuss the ASEAN proposal for processing centres to be established in the region. Such centres would serve to accommodate those for whom resettlement commitments exist but who face a long wait before they can move to permanent resettlement countries. The first such centre is expected to be established on the Indonesian island of Galang; a further site has been offered by the Government of the Philippines.

However, orderly departures from Viet Nam and establishment of processing centres cannot, per se, solve the refugee crisis in South East Asia. Unfailing commitment and efforts by countries in and outside the region are needed. UNHCR can proceed to carry out its humanitarian tasks in South East Asia only if continued and increased financial support is forthcoming. At present, UNHCR is spending some $7 million per month to meet needs for the minimum care and maintenance of refugees and displaced persons, and if the rate of arrivals continues to rise, so will financial requirements.

I therefore appeal to governments to give the highest priority to measures which are necessary to meet this humanitarian crisis. I call on them in the most urgent terms to increase their financial contributions to the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees and to join in the search for lasting solutions by making available increased numbers of resettlement places, to enable those waiting in the camps of South East Asia to begin a new productive life.

Please accept, Your Excellency, the assurances of my highest consideration.

Kurt Waldheim Secretary-General

United Nations