Mr. Hocke was the logical choice for election as U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees at the end of 1985. The UNHCR has long served as the leader in refugee protection and assistance. Under JeanPierre Hocke it greatly improved its capacity for field operations. making it a direct participant in essential programs of material aid to refugees throughout the world. The challenges facing UNHCR during JeanPierre Hockes tenure came one on top of the other. There were major food and shelter needs in the Horn of Africa caused by the natural effects of draught and the manmade consequences of armed conflict. There were continuing refugee challenges in southern and eastern Africa. stretching the High Commissioners program and budget to the limit. In Southeast Asia the High Commissioner helped the world community come to grips with the new challenges stemming from the changing character of the situation in the Indochina countries. He was a leader in the second international conference on Indochinese refugees that took place in Geneva. in June 1989. and was instrumental in the followup actions to assure continued first asylum for the boat refugees who continue to arrive. Mr. President. it has been an honor and a pleasure to know and to work with JeanPierre Hocke during his career with the ICRC and as High Commissioner for Refugees. All of us who care about the plight of the worlds refugees and displaced persons. the distressed and homeless wherever they are. will long remember our sense of appreciation for the magnificent work done in this cause by JeanPierre Hocke.
Keywords matched
Refugees refugee refugees