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UN Refugee Agency Faces Critical Funding Shortage - UN Finance - Global Policy Forum UN Refugee Agency Faces
Critical Funding ShortageUN Newservice
October 2, 2000The United Nations Secretary-General and his top refugee official today warned of critical funding shortages for the Organization's relief activities on behalf of those who have been forced to flee their homes. Secretary-General Kofi Annan and the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), Sadako Ogata, addressed their concerns to the UNHCR Executive Committee, which approves the agency's budget and determines the thrust of its policy.
After his speech to the Executive Committee -- the first by a UN Secretary-General -- Mr. Annan told the press that he had stressed the importance of proper funding for UNHCR. "Again and again, Mrs. Ogata has had to reduce her budget, sometimes cancelling or suspending activities that are crucial for the welfare of refugees, but even on that reduced budget her office predicts a significant shortfall at the end of the year," he said. Ms. Ogata warned the Executive Committee that UNHCR would become "critically weakened" if it did not receive urgently needed funds. "When I go to the field, it pains me to see my colleagues unable to meet some of the basic needs of those they are out there to serve," Mrs. Ogata said.
The High Commissioner, who will leave the agency this year after a decade at the helm, said that during the extremely complex crises of the 1990s humanitarian workers were often left to themselves. "We faced terrible ambiguities and dilemmas, frequently alone," she said. Mrs. Ogata also noted several successes during her term, including the return of refugees to South Africa, Mozambique, South-East Asia and Central America. Looking to UNHCR's future, the High Commissioner said the agency must strengthen its ability to respond to crises quickly and efficiently. In addition, she underscored the need to tackle fundamental issues, such as the security of refugee-populated areas, the blurred line between migrants and refugees, and the aid gap during the transition from war to peace.
Both Mrs. Ogata and Mr. Annan underscored the importance of providing greater security for relief workers. In a meeting earlier today with the agency's staff, the Secretary-General reminded them of his personal concern about the safety of humanitarian workers in war zones and assured them that he would take steps to enhance their security. "We will do whatever we can in a determined and sustained manner to ensure that we have better protection in the field," he said. Asked who will be the next High Commissioner, Mr. Annan told the press that he would make a recommendation to the General Assembly within this month.
GPF Note: Find the UNHCR's Press Release here, and the Secretary General's statement here.
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