UN Economic and Social Council Resolution 1980/9 : Assistance to refugees in Somalia

1980/9. Assistance to refugees in Somalia
28 April 1980

The Economic and Social Council, Having heard with deep concern the statement made by the Minister for Local Government of Somalia, who has special responsibility for refugees, on the grave refugee situation in Somalia,[1] Having considered the report of the United Nations interagency mission,[2] which visited Somalia from 10 to 16 December 1979 to study the refugee situation in that country and to draw up a programme of assistance to deal with the urgent humanitarian needs there ‘ Taking note of the appeal of the Secretary-General in his note verbal of 11 February 1980, urging various Governments and international organizations to provide prompt and generous assistance to alleviate the sufferings of the refugees in Somalia, Further taking note of the statement made on 13 March 1980 by the United Nations Deputy High Commissioner for Refugees that the refugee problem in Somalia was the most serious in the world as far as numbers were concerned, and the appeal by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, dated 4 March 1980, to all Governments to help the refugees, Recognizing the heavy burden placed on the Government of Somalia in caring for the refugees and the need for international assistance to share that burden, Deeply concerned because the response of the international community falls far short of the needs of the refugees, as assessed in the report of the United Nations mission,

1. Endorses the appeal of the Secretary-General of 11 February 1980 as well as the appeal launched by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees on 4 March 1980 for urgent international assistance to help the Government of Somalia to provide the necessary care and attention to the refugees;

2. Commends the action taken by the Secretary-General in arranging for a comprehensive report on the needs of refugees in Somalia to be prepared and circulated to the international community;

3. Takes note of the report of the United Nations interagency mission to Somalia and the recommendations contained therein;

4. Further endorses the appeals launched by the Director-General of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations and by the Executive Director of the United Nations Children's Fund to provide food, medicines and other assistance for the refugees, as recommended by the United Nations mission;

5. Requests the Secretary-General and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees to report to the Economic and Social Council at its second regular session of 1980 on the situation of the refugees in Somalia and the steps taken to implement the provisions of the present resolution;

6. Requests the Secretary-General to find ways and means to mobilize urgently humanitarian assistance for the refugees on the basis of the report of the United Nations interagency mission;

7. Decides to bring the contents of the present resolution to the attention of the General Assembly for its consideration.

14th plenary meeting
28 April 198


[1] See E/1980/SR.11. [2] E/1980/44.
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