dec 8, 1949 - General assembly resolution 302

Description:

Recalling its resolutions 212 (III) of 19 November 1948 and 194 (III) of 11 December 1948, affirming in particular the provisions of paragraph 11 of the latter resolution,

Having examined with appreciation the first interim report of the United Nations Economic Survey Mission for the Middle East and the report of the Secretary-General on assistance to Palestine refugees,

Expresses appreciation to the governments that have generously responded to the appeal in resolution 212 (III) and to the Secretary-General's appeal for contributions in kind or funds to alleviate the conditions of starvation and distress among Palestine refugees;

Expresses gratitude to the International Committee of the Red Cross, the League of Red Cross Societies, and the American Friends Service Committee for their contributions to this humanitarian cause, for distributing relief supplies, and for the general care of refugees; welcomes their assurance to continue cooperation with the United Nations until the end of March 1950 on a mutually acceptable basis;

Commends the United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund (UNICEF) for its important contribution to the United Nations' assistance program and commends specialized agencies like the World Health Organization (WHO), the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), and the International Refugee Organization for their assistance;

Thanks numerous religious, charitable, and humanitarian organizations for their material assistance in bringing relief to Palestine refugees;

Recognizes that, without prejudice to paragraph 11 of General Assembly resolution 194 (III) of 11 December 1948, continued assistance is necessary to prevent starvation and distress among Palestine refugees and to further peace and stability, and that constructive measures should be undertaken early to end international relief assistance;

Considers that, subject to paragraph 9(d) of this resolution, approximately $33,700,000 will be required for direct relief and works programs from 1 January to 31 December 1950, including $20,200,000 for direct relief and $13,500,000 for works programs; and approximately $21,200,000 will be needed for works programs from 1 January to 30 June 1951, all inclusive of administrative expenses; and that direct relief should end by 31 December 1950 unless otherwise determined by the General Assembly at its fifth regular session;

Establishes the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East:
(a) To carry out, in collaboration with local governments, the direct relief and works programs as recommended by the Economic Survey Mission;
(b) To consult with the interested Near Eastern governments on measures to be taken by them preparatory to the time when international assistance is no longer available;

Establishes an Advisory Commission with representatives from France, Turkey, the United Kingdom, and the United States, with the power to add up to three additional members from contributing governments, to advise and assist the Director of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East in executing the program; the Director and the Advisory Commission shall consult with each Near Eastern government concerned in the selection, planning, and execution of projects;

Requests the Secretary-General to appoint the Director of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East in consultation with the governments represented on the Advisory Commission:
(a) The Director shall be the chief executive officer responsible to the General Assembly for the operation of the program;
(b) The Director shall select and appoint his staff following general arrangements made with the Secretary-General, including applicable United Nations staff rules and regulations, and utilize the facilities and assistance of the Secretary-General as much as possible;
(c) The Director, in consultation with the Secretary-General and the Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budgetary Questions, shall establish financial regulations for the agency;
(d) Subject to these financial regulations, the Director, in consultation with the Advisory Commission, shall apportion available funds between direct relief and works projects if the estimates in paragraph 6 need revision;

Requests the Director to convene the Advisory Commission as soon as practicable to develop plans for the organization and administration of the program and to adopt rules of procedure;

Continues the United Nations Relief for Palestine Refugees as established under General Assembly resolution 212 (III) until 1 April 1950, or until the transfer referred to in paragraph 12 is affected, and requests the Secretary-General to continue efforts to reduce ration numbers progressively based on the findings and recommendations of the Economic Survey Mission;

Instructs the Secretary-General to transfer the assets and liabilities of the United Nations Relief for Palestine Refugees to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East by 1 April 1950, or at a date agreed upon by him and the Director;

Urges all Members of the United Nations and non-members to make voluntary contributions in funds or in kind to ensure that the supplies and funds required are obtained for each period of the program as set out in paragraph 6; contributions in funds may be made in currencies other than the US dollar, as long as the program can be carried out in such currencies;

Authorizes the Secretary-General, in consultation with the Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budgetary Questions, to advance up to $5,000,000 from the Working Capital Fund to finance operations under this resolution, to be repaid by 31 December 1950 from voluntary governmental contributions requested in paragraph 13;

Authorizes the Secretary-General, in consultation with the Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budgetary Questions, to negotiate with the International Refugee Organization for an interest-free loan of up to $2,800,000 to finance the program, subject to mutually satisfactory repayment conditions;

Authorizes the Secretary-General to continue the Special Fund established under General Assembly resolution 212 (III) and to make withdrawals for the operations of both the United Nations Relief for Palestine Refugees and, upon request, the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East;

Calls upon the concerned governments to grant the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East the privileges, immunities, exemptions, and facilities granted to the United Nations Relief for Palestine Refugees, along with other necessary privileges for its functions;

Urges UNICEF, the International Refugee Organization, WHO, UNESCO, the Food and Agriculture Organization, and other appropriate agencies and private groups to assist within the framework of the program in consultation with the Director;

Requests the Director:
(a) To appoint a representative to attend Technical Assistance Board meetings as an observer to coordinate the agency's technical assistance activities with the United Nations and specialized agencies;
(b) To provide the Technical Assistance Board with full information on any technical assistance work by the agency for inclusion in the Board's reports to the Economic and Social Council's Technical Assistance Committee;

Directs the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East to consult with the United Nations Conciliation Commission for Palestine to coordinate their tasks, especially regarding paragraph 11 of General Assembly resolution 194 (III) of 11 December 1948;

Requests the Director to submit an annual report on the agency's work, including an audit of funds, to the General Assembly and to submit other reports to the Secretary-General as needed;

Instructs the United Nations Conciliation Commission for Palestine to transmit the final report of the Economic Survey Mission, with its comments, to the Secretary-General for dissemination to the United Nations members and the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East.

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