to populations sequestered in Tindouf camps to identify their number and their real needs, including the deployment of the new registration system "global standard progress", whose effectiveness has been proven in other situations. "

Speaking at the general debate held as part of the 59th session of the Executive Committee of the High Commissioner, Mr. Loulichki drew the attention of UNHCR on the situation in the Tindouf camps in Algeria where sequestered people are kept in human alarming conditions and continue to depend on humanitarian assistance delivered under unusual conditions lacking transparency. "

The Moroccan diplomat recalled at the same time the formal request made by the Moroccan delegation at the 58th session of the Committee for the preparation by the secretariat of a detailed and factual report, which would trace the history, identifiy and clearly define responsibilities and causes preventing the identification and registration of people in Tindouf camps and determine the intentions of UNHCR to overcome this anachronistic situation.  

It was at this point that he questioned the delay in the issuance of this report, recalling that his delegation had registered the formal agreement of the High Commissioner during the last meeting of the 58th session for its publication.

Several weeks prior to the 59th session of the Committee, his delegation reminded the secretariat at different levels its expectations from this report and assurances have been given for its bid, he said, recalling that his delegation "would like to receive clear explanations about the delay in producing this document.  

It is clear, "said Moroccan diplomat, that to achieve its objectives, UNHCR should strengthen its presence on the ground and have a free and full access to the camps, not only to assess the real needs of people, but also to block any embezzlement and diversion of aid.

Thus, the overall assessment needs should be mandatory with a mastery of field data, he added, arguing that it is essential in this context that the UNHCR has real, reliable and accurate statistics.

If the UNHCR responsibility at this level is obvious, the duty to cooperate from countries of exile is also established internationally, "said Loulichki.

The Moroccan diplomat stressed that UNHCR, while trying to find ways and resources to fund its missions, should also enjoy the conditions and framework suitable to carry out the implementation of its mandate on the ground.  

In doing so, he said, it would have given its full significance to the political partnership it supports and which must occur not only with the UN system actors, but also NGOs and host countries which constitute a partner in the operation of refugee protection.

Convinced of the advantages of decentralization and regionalization of the structures and functions of UNHCR, we believe that this approach should absolutely be consistent with the aforementioned UN strategy to avoid weakening the regulatory role of headquarters, duplication and inconsistent actions of partners involved, said Mr Loulichki.

It should also, he continued, be implemented in a transparent manner and based on objective criteria.

He has also stressed that Morocco fully supports the process of administrative reforms and budget restructuring launched by UNHCR in order to rationalize expenditure and restore the balance of its budgetary and human resources, while regretting that despite these efforts the gap between needs and available resources persists.

Aware of the UNHCR humanitarian mandate, Morocco, he stressed, has repeatedly called for strengthening this organization and its endowment in human and financial resources necessary to enable it to fulfill its mission in the best possible conditions and this resulted in the substantial increase in 2008 of the Kingdom's contribution to UNHCR's budget and whichwill be, renewed in 2009, he added.

Morocco remains convinced that an optima use of UNHCR's resources can only be done by sound management and transparency not only at central level, but on the ground, he said, adding that the UNHCR, which has taken steps to ensure financial management at the headquarters, can not tolerate irregularities in areas of operations.

To do this, he suggested, it is expected to acquire the tools of supervision and monitoring to enable effective performance of its functions of protection and assistance.

Source: MAP
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