UNHCR to assist in repatriation of 58,000 Namibians, other aid given.

• Position: United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees

The organization is to provide basic health care for the refugees, rehabilitation, shelter, assistance in tracing relatives, departure and reception facilities and transport to areas of origin in Namibia.

The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), the World Food Programme (WFP) and nongovernmental organizations have offered to supply basic food and essential items. The operation is being funded through voluntary contributions.

Nearly $26.6 million in cash was pledged for the operation by 23 countries, the European Community, and the four Nordic nations (Denmark, Finland, Norway and Sweden) at a special conference at Headquarters on 16 March. Secretary-General Javier Perez de Cuellar told participants that the UN would make sure that Namibian repatriates could take part in the electoral process without risk of arrest, detention, intimidation or imprisonment.

Jean-Pierre Hocke, the High Commissioner for Refugees, said that most refugees would return from Angola by air and had already been informed of the repatriation effort. The operation was unique, he said, because returning refugees would be relying on UN protection during the transition to independence.

Other actions

Secretary-General Javier Perez de Cuellar announced on 21 March that more than $7.6 million had been promised to the UN Fund for Namibia, the Nationhood Programme for Namibia, and the UN...