Editorial Note
General Kennedy and each of the four members of the Advisory Commission signed at Paris on October 6 the Interim Report of the Director of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East. The report covered the period May 1 to September 15, 1950. Part II embodied their joint recommendations, which read in part as follows:
“75. Since contributions received to date are below the amount recommended by the Economic Survey Mission and insufficient to cover the cost of urgent relief needs, the Agency is compelled to ask for additional funds for the current year. We strongly urge the governments of the world immediately to contribute an additional total of $5 million to assist in bridging the gap between the budget foreseen by the Economic Survey Mission and the promise received to date. Otherwise no improvement in the existing scale of rations or services can be provided for the coming winter without further depleting the comparatively small sum which remains available for work projects. Unless these contributions are received immediately, the Agency will be forced to request an advance from the United Nations Working Capital Fund.
[Page 1024]1951–1952
76. For the year ahead generous assistance is requested from the international community to cover the costs of the proposed readjusted programme of UNRWAPRNE. The following estimates are submitted for the period July 1951 to 30 June 1952:
| US dollars | |
| Direct relief | 20,000,000 |
| Reintegration fund | 30,000,000 |
| Total | 50,000,000 |
77. When viewed against the large number of needy refugees, the estimate of $20 million for direct relief is a minimum figure. It is based upon the belief that the numbers of refugees can be diminished by an effective programme of reintegration and in other ways. The establishment of the fund of $30 million constitutes a first step (without commitment as to the future) in a major undertaking to reintegrate the majority of over three quarters of a million refugees, which may ultimately entail the expenditure of several hundred million dollars over a period of years. It should, at the same time, be noted that all expenditure under this fund will hasten the day of refugee self-support, and bring nearer the day when international assistance can be withdrawn.
78. In presenting this financial estimate, the Agency wishes strongly to stress the necessity of firm financing. Ample funds must always be at hand on schedule, for the simple reason that vital supplies and services to needy refugees must be available on time. The Agency must feel assured of its resources for one entire fiscal year, at least, if relief is to be regularly provided and if reintegration projects are to be effectively undertaken.”
The Department, on October 17, sent the substance of these recommendations to Cairo in telegram 342, which was repeated to other Arab capitals, Jerusalem, Tel Aviv, Paris, and London. The telegram concluded as follows: “Current temporary work program to be terminated this year but refugees to be employed on improvement temporary quarters financed by relief funds or on permanent projects financed by reintegration funds.
“Because of econ significance relief and reintegration projects and inevitable relation with gen development projects PRA to be recognized as a p[oin]t of ref and consultation for multilateral programs technical assistance and gen econ development in NE.” (320.2AA/10–1750)
The full text of General Kennedy’s Interim Report is printed in United Nations, Official Records of the General Assembly, Fifth Session, Supplement No. 19 (A/1451/Rev. 1).