Assistance to refugees and displaced persons in Malawi : resolution / adopted by the General Assembly.

The General Assembly,

Recalling its resolutions 42/132 of 7 December 1987 and 43/148 of 8 December 1988 on assistance to refugees and displaced persons in Malawi,

Having considered the report of the Secretary-General,

Having examined that part of the report of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees that deals with the situation of refugees and displaced persons in Malawi,

Gravely concerned about the continuing serious social and economic impact of the massive presence of refugees and displaced persons, as well as its far-reaching consequences for the country's long-term development process,

Appreciating the important measures that the Government of Malawi is taking in order to provide shelter, protection, food, education and health and other humanitarian services to thousands of refugees and displaced persons,

Recognizing the heavy burden placed on the people and Government of Malawi and the sacrifices they are making in caring for the refugees and displaced persons, given the country's limited social services and infrastructure, and the need for adequate international assistance to enable them to continue their efforts to provide assistance to the refugees and displaced persons,

Expressing its appreciation for the assistance rendered by Member States, the various organizations of the United Nations system, the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees and other international, intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations in support of the refugee programme in Malawi,

Bearing in mind the findings and recommendations of the inter-agency mission to Malawi, particularly on the need to strengthen the country's socio-economic infrastructure in order to enable it to provide for the immediate humanitarian relief requirements of the refugees and displaced persons, as well as the long-term national development needs of the country,

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;

2.         Commends the measures that the Government of Malawi is taking to provide material and humanitarian assistance to refugees and displaced persons, in spite of the serious economic situation it faces, and stresses the need for additional resources to lessen the impact of the presence of refugees and displaced persons on the country's long-term development process;

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 and displaced persons in Malawi;

4.         Expresses grave concern at the serious and far-reaching consequences of the massive presence of refugees and displaced persons in the country and its implications for the long-term socio-economic development of the whole country;

5.         Appeals to Member States, the appropriate organs, organizations and bodies of the United Nations system, intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations and the international financial institutions to continue providing the Government of Malawi with the necessary resources for the implementation of development assistance projects in regions affected by the presence of refugees and displaced persons, as well as for the development programmes now being implemented;

6.         Requests the Secretary-General to continue his efforts to mobilize the necessary financial and material assistance for the full implementation of ongoing projects in the areas affected by the presence of refugees and displaced persons and for programmes now being implemented;

7.         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 and displaced persons in their settlements;

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