Assistance to the Palestinian people – SecGen report

GENERAL ASSEMBLY

Fortieth session

Item 12 of the preliminary list*

REPORT OF THE ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COUNCIL

ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COUNCIL

Second regular session of 1985

Item 21 of the provisional agenda**

IMPLEMENTATION OF THE

DECLARATION ON THE GRANTING

OF INDEPENDENCE TO COLONIAL

COUNTRIES AND PEOPLES BY THE

SPECIALIZED AGENCIES AND THE

INTERNATIONAL INSTITUTIONS

ASSOCIATED WITH THE

UNITED NATIONS

Assistance to the Palestinian People

Report of the Secretary-General

CONTENTS

I.   INTRODUCTION

1. The Economic and Social Council, in resolutions 2026 (LXI) of 4 August 1976 and 2100 (LXIII) of 3 August 1977, called upon the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the specialized agencies and other organizations of the United Nations system to intensify their efforts, in close co-ordination with the Economic Commission for Western Asia, in identifying the social and economic needs of the Palestinian people. It also urged those agencies and organizations to consult and co-operate with the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) in establishing and implementing concrete projects for improving the social and economic conditions of the Palestinian people. In resolution 2100 (LXIII), paragraph S. the Council also requested the Secretary-General to submit annual reports to the Council on the action taken by the agencies and organizations concerned and the results achieved. In resolutions 1983/43 of 25 July 1983 and 1984/S6 of 25 July 1984, the Council expressed its gratitude to the Governments and United Nations bodies that had provided economic and social assistance to the Palestinian people, and reiterated its appeal to the competent programmed, organizations, agencies and organs of the United Nations system to sustain and intensify their efforts in this area.

2. The  General  Assembly,  in  resolutions 36/70 of 4 December 1981, 37/134 of 17 December 1982 and 38/14S of 19 December 1983, requested UNDP to undertake direct execution of projects approved by the UNDP Governing Council in the occupied territories and urged the appropriate agencies and organizations of the United Nations system to intensity their economic and social assistance to the Palestinian people in co-operation with the Palestine Liberation Organization and the Governments concerned.

3. The General Assembly, in resolution 38/14S, also requested the Secretary-General to convene in 1984 a meeting of the relevant programmed, organizations, agencies and organs of the United Nations system to develop a co-ordinated programme of economic and social assistance to the Palestinian people. Such a meeting was convened on 5 and 6 July 1984 at Geneva, with the participation of the United Nations agencies and organizations concerned, as well as the representatives of PLO, Arab host countries and relevant intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations. The results of the meeting were considered by the Economic and Social Council at its second regular session of 1984, and by the General Assembly at its thirty-ninth session. In resolution 39/224 of 18 December 1984, the General Assembly took note in paragraph 4, of the report of the Secretary-General concerning the meeting (A/39/474 and Corr.1), which it regarded as "a valuable opportunity to assess progress in economic and social assistance to the Palestinian people and to explore ways and means of enhancing such assistance".

4. In resolution 39/224 the General Assembly also requested the Secretary-General (a) to expedite the finalizing, through existing inter-agency mechanisms, of the co-ordinated programme of economic and social assistance to the Palestinian people, (b) to convene in 198S a meeting of the relevant programmed, organizations, agencies, funds and organs of the United Nations system to consider the co-ordinated programme of economic and social assistance to the Palestinian people, and to provide for the participation of PLO the Arab host countries and relevant intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations in the meeting. It also requested the relevant organizations of the United Nations system to intensify their efforts, in co-operation with the PLO to provide economic and social assistance to the Palestinian people, and further requested that such assistance to the Palestinians in the Arab host countries should be rendered in co-operation with PLO and with the consent of the Arab host Government concerned. Finally, it requested the Secretary-General to report to the General Assembly at its fortieth session, through the Economic and Social Council, on the progress made in the implementation of the resolution.

5. As requested in the resolution, the Secretary-General utilized an existing inter-agency mechanism, the Consultative Committee on Substantive Questions (Programme Matters) (CCSQ (PROG)) of the Administrative Committee on Co-ordination (ACC), for consultations with the organizations of the United Nations system regarding the development of a co-ordinated programme of economic and social assistance to the Palestinian people. CCSQ (PROG) considered the question in April 1985 and arranged that agencies' future activities should be grouped thematically into three main categories: (a) development activities, (b) education and training, and (c) health, in order to move towards a co-ordinated programme of economic and social assistance. Information on current activities would, as in previous reports, be presented organization by organization.

6. Accordingly, section I of the present report covers the activities currently being carried out by agencies and organizations of the United Nations system. Section II covers future and proposed activities which could provide the basis for a co-ordinated programme of economic and social assistance to the Palestinian people.

7. It should also be mentioned that in addition to the activities covered in the present report, several organizations carry out other activities such as events organized on the occasion of the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People.

8. Information received from other organizations at a later stage will be issued as an addendum to the present report.

II.  ACTIVITIES CURRENTLY CARRIED OUT BY THE UNITED NATIONS SYSTEM

A.   United Nations

1.  United Nations Development Programme

9. The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) activities in the area of economic and social assistance to the Palestinian people started in September 1980, following authorization by the Governing Council at its twenty-seventh session, in June 1980. 1/

10. In accordance with Economic and Social Council resolution 1983/43 and General Assembly resolution 38/145, UNDP has set up a special programme of assistance to the Palestinian people to help improve their social and economic conditions. The programme is centred in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, except for one project located in the Syrian Arab Republic. As the only intergovernmental development programme with large-scale, continuing operations in these territories, UNDP bears a unique and important responsibility, on behalf of its member States, particularly since under present conditions these States have very restricted possibilities for undertaking directly other forms of assistance.

11. The Administrator of UNDP is personally and directly responsible for this programme. Emphasis is placed on appointing highly qualified international consultants for project inputs throughout the life of the project, including delivery of supplies and equipment to project sites, and no intermediaries are used for transfers of funds required for Project expenditures. The use of logistical services of United Nations operations in the area has been of great benefit resulting in reliable deliveries and sharply reduced overhead costs.

12. By decision 79/18, 2/ the Governing Council allocated $3.5 million to the programme of assistance to the Palestinian people from the 1977-1981 Programme Reserve. In its decision 82/13, 3/ the Governing Council allocated another $4 million in the third programming cycle to provide the programme with a total of $7.5 million in resources, committed for projects under way or allocated for approved projects which will become operational during 1985.

13. As of 1 march 1985, UNDP had 20 projects in the area of economic and social assistance to the Palestinian people at various stages of implementation. Eight of these projects have already been successfully completed. They are:

(a) Specialized training in industrial management. The purpose of this project was to upgrade the management skills of 19 owners and managers in the West Bank and Gaza Strip through the facilities of the ILO International Centre for Advanced Technical and Vocational Training at Turin;

(b) Promotion of primary education. In order to improve the quality of

instruction and the facilities of kindergartens in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, UNDP financed several refresher courses for over 200 teachers and also provided tables, chairs, cupboards and blackboards, manufactured by local charitable societies, and educational toys and games; promotion of technical and vocational training. UNDP organized training facilities for courses on radio and television repairs, air-conditioning/ refrigeration and domestic appliances, constructed the classrooms for all courses and provided furniture, fittings and technical equipment;

(d) Specialized training in agricultural development. In an effort to Improve levels of both income and technical expertise among the Palestinian farmers, UNDP arranged fellowships in irrigation and water management, plant protection, extension service, planning, administration, range management and forage production, new crops, agricultural machinery, marketing and small ruminant production techniques. In addition, audio-visual and reproduction equipment was provided to the training sections of the West Bank and Gaza Strip Agriculture Departments;

(e) Training in housing. UNDP organized a training course for Palestinian architects, engineers and city planners to advance the level of abilities of private architects and engineers, as well as professionals attached to municipalities, in the fields of housing, planning, design, construction and financing. The month-long course took place at Bethlehem under the guidance of experts from Canada and was attended by 24 Palestinian specialists;

(f) Children's institutions. Appropriate equipment, instructors, administrative and transport facilities were provided for disadvantaged children at a rehabilitation centre for disabled youth at Gaza. A home for the mentally retarded in the West Bank and two vocational rehabilitation centres for youth in the Gaza Strip, were also provided by UNDP.

14. valuer two more projects dealing with development and strengthening of health institutions, UNDP provided medical equipment, books and publications, visual aids and transportation equipment for 12 medical institutions and units in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip.

15. Five projects relating, in particular, to agricultural training, health manpower development, community services for youth, training in anaesthesiology and construction of a medical centre specialized for training nurses and paramedical technicians, are at present still under implementation.

16. In addition to the projects listed above, UNDP has assisted the development efforts of other organizations and institutions in a variety of ways. As an example, UNDP identified Palestinian candidates and provided administrative services for the course entitled "training for trainers", given by the International Labour Organisation at the International Centre for Advanced Technical and Vocational Training at Turin, Italy.

2.  United Nations Relief and Works Agency for

    Palestine Refugees in the Near East

17. Since May 1950, the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) has been providing education, health and relief services to Palestine refugees. As at 31 December 1984, 2,067,216 refugees were registered with UNRWA.

18. Although there has been no census of Palestinians, the registered refugees are believed to be more than half the total of the Palestinian people. Consequently, UNRWA is a major provider of education, health and welfare services to the Palestinian people. These services have evolved over the years in direct response to the needs of the refugees and the Agency's financial ability to meet them. The education services are operated in co-operation with the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) and the health services in co-operation with the World Health Organization (WHO).

19. Since June 1982, following the Israeli invasion, UNRWA has been involved in emergency operations in Lebanon. The food aid programmer, which benefited some 185,000 refugees in Lebanon and the Syrian Arab Republic, was discontinued in March 1984 except for the destitute who continue to receive food. The work of repairing or replacing UNRWA schools, clinics and offices, reconstructing refugee camp roads and drains and restoring electricity supplies to the camps continued throughout 1984.

20. The regular programmed are fully described in the annual reports of the Commissioner-General of UNRWA, most recently in the report covering the period from 1 July 1983 to 30 June 1984. 4/ In brief, during the school year 1983/84, 342,245 children received elementary and preparatory (lower secondary) education in 653 UNRWA schools; 7,294 pupils were assisted with their secondary education at local government or private schools; some 5,050 trainees followed vocational or teacher training courses at eight UNRWA centres; 346 students were awarded scholarships for university study; modest programmed of pre-school, youth and women Is activities and adult craft training were conducted; and professional in-service training was provided for medical and educational personnel. Medical services were available to about 1.8 million refugees and supplementary feeding for such vulnerable groups as young children, pregnant women and nursing mothers. In the camps, UNRWA provided environmental sanitation and assistance with repairs to housing of families in special need. Special assistance, including basic food items, was given to the most needy families. The cost of financing the regular programmed in 1984 was $191.3 million. The programmed were conducted by 16,881 employees, mostly teachers, all but a handful of whom are themselves Palestine refugees, under the direction of 125 international staff.

21. In 1984, expenditure on the education programme was $121 million or approximately 63 per cent of the Agency's total programme expenditure.  Many UNRWA school buildings are operated on a double-shift basis to cope with the number of pupils. Some of the buildings urgently require replacement. During 1984, $1.9 million were allocated for the construction of additional classrooms and for other urgently required education facilities. Special Canadian Government donations in 1983 and 1984 totalling over $4 million enabled the Agency to construct additional classrooms to avoid triple shifting in elementary schools, to replace unsafe and unsatisfactory classrooms and to accomplish other much needed repair and maintenance to existing installations. A grant from Shaykh Mohammed Anis El-Zaben funded construction of a new, 20-room school in Jordan. Shaykh Mohammed and Shaykh Ibrahim Anis El-Zaben have recently undertaken to fund construction of a second school at Baqa'a, Jordan.

22. Health services accounted for $44 million or 23 per cent of total expenditure. Health monitoring of children, pregnant women and nursing mothers was the major component of the health programme provided through a network of 98 health units. A nutrition survey was carried out in Jordan, the West Bank and the Gaza Strip; the information collected is being analysed by WHO headquarters at Geneva. Children showing growth failure receive special care in 65 nutrition rehabilitation clinics. Nutritional support was provided in the form of mid-day meals, milk and extra rations to vulnerable groups. Emphasis on the preventive aspects of oral health continued, especially among school children; two new dental clinics in Lebanon and one in Jordan were established. Treatment was available at 77 specialist clinics for diabetes, tuberculosis, ophthalmology, planned parenthood, rheumatic diseases, ear-nose-and-throat, cardio-vascular diseases, dermatology and chest diseases. Twenty-four small clinical laboratories attached to health units were equipped to perform big-chemical tests. A study on risk factors related to death in early childhood was carried out in the West Bank and a report is under preparation.

23. With the co-operation of local municipal and governmental authorities, the Agency was able to provide refugee shelters in a number of camps with indoor taps. The Agency participated in self-help camp sanitation projects carried out by the refugees in the construction of drains and pathways in camps and in the connection of sewage systems to local networks. In its effort to upgrade the refuse collection system in camps, the Agency has approved the procurement of two fork-lift trucks and matching containers for two camps in the Gaza Strip.

24. The third category of service, the relief programme, involved expenditure in 1984 of $22.8 million amounting to 12 per cent of total expenditure. The relief programme provides a welfare counselling service and adult craft training courses, organizes women's and youth activities centres and arranges for the education and training of disabled for all registered refugees. However, the programme is mainly concentrated on providing assistance to the most needy section of the refugee population -widows, orphans, the aged, the physically and mentally handicapped. These persons, known as "special hardship cases, numbered 99,945 at the end of 1984. They are given dry food commodities, blankets, clothing, footwear, small cash subsidies, assistance in the repair of their shelters, preferential entry to UNRWA's training centres and assistance in becoming wholly or partially self-supporting by means of income-generating projects.

3.   United Nations Children's Fund

25. The Executive Board of the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) at its 1984 regular session approved commitments from general resources totalling $1,950,000 and "noted" an amount of $3,200,000 subject to the availability of specific purpose contributions, covering the period mid-1984 to mid-1987 to support new programmed of co-operation to assist Palestinian children and mothers in Jordan, Lebanon, the Syrian Arab Republic and the occupied Arab territories (West Bank and the Gaza Strip). 5/ The programmed focus on priority areas of child survival and development, pre-school, promotion of income generating activities for women and water supply and sanitation.

26. A programme co-ordinator, based at Amman, was appointed by UNICEF to assist the Regional Office for the Middle East and North Africa in the development and implementation of the programmed of co-operation. Implementation officers were also assigned in Lebanon, the Syrian Arab Republic and the West Bank to monitor programme progress and ensure timely delivery of UNICEF assistance.

UNICEF assistance to the Palestinian children  and mothers in Lebanon

27. The UNICEF Executive Board, in 1984, approved a commitment of $600,000 from general resources and of $450,000 from supplementary funds, subject to the availability Of specific purpose contributions, covering the period mid-1984 to mid-1987 to support a programme of co-operation aimed at improving the welfare of Palestinian children and mothers in Jordan. The main thrust of the programme relates to the priority strategies for child survival and development to appreciably reduce infant and child mortality. The programme also aims at enhancing the institutional and non-institutional approaches to child care.

28. The maternal and child health network run by the United Nations Relief and works Agency for Palestinian Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) consists of 14 clinics which serve about 10,000 families. The immunization programme carried out by UNRWA-run clinics has a coverage of 20,000 children. Efforts are being made to extend the programme coverage as well as its effectiveness through more active follow-up of defaulters. An active home visiting programme by nurses and by paramedical personnel was commenced. A training programme for 20 traditional birth attendants, known as days, was carried out to improve their prenatal skills and to train mothers on the prevention of diarrhoea and the use of oral Dehydration salts. The UNICEF inputs to support the above activities include the provision of vaccines, syringes and needles and oral Dehydration salts. Health education activities aimed at Palestinian households, communities and schools were also supported by UNICEF. An important feature is the systematic training of the teachers in UNRWA-operated schools in the content and method of health education.

29. To expand the opportunities for more pre-school age children to benefit from early childhood stimulation activities, the philanthropic societies were assisted in the establishment of five new kindergartens located in various camps. Twenty kindergarten teachers were given refresher courses in the Marka Camp. UNICEF provided furniture, knitting and sewing machines for pre-vocational workshops for women and girls run by the Family Welfare Association and the Near East Council of Churches.

UNICEF assistance to Palestinian children and mothers in Lebanon

30. UNICEF assistance to Palestinian children and mothers in Lebanon was carried out under very difficult conditions due to the continued fighting in various parts of the country.

31. In 1984 the UNICEF Executive Board approved a commitment of $800,000 from general resources covering the period from mid-1984 to mid-1987, and "noted" an amount of $600,000, subject to the availability of specific purpose contributions, for the purpose of providing essential services in the areas of child health, pre-school, promotion of income generating activities for women and water supply and sanitation.

32. UNICEF co-operation in the field of child health was directed to support the maternal and child health network run by the Palestinian Red Crescent Society (PRSC) and the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestinian Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) through the provision of vaccines, oral rehydration salts, technical medical equipment and essential drugs. UNICEF also helped finance a pre-service training course for 35 nurses at the PRCs Nursing School at Beirut and a 4-month course for eight traditional birth attendants (days).

33. The General Union of Palestinian Women, the Ghassan Kanafani Foundation and the Najdeh Social Association are the main philanthropic organizations providing kindergarten services to the Palestinian child. UNICEF collaborated with the said organizations in conducting refresher courses for 151 kindergarten teachers and a course for eight mothers on how to run home-based kindergarten services. In addition, UNICEF provided educational play equipment, audio-visual aids and transport as well as funds for the production of a manual for kindergarten teachers. UNICEF is in the process of producing three children's games and toys from the Arab cultural heritage, unique ones that will serve the region.

34. Four pre-vocational training centres in the camps of Sabra/Shatila, Rashdiyeh, Qasmish and Bourj Shamleh were provided with sewing and knitting machines, typewriters and furniture. One hundred and twenty-three women benefited from courses conducted in these centres.

35. UNICEF, in co-operation with UNRWA and the Norwegian People's Relief Association, has started a field survey to identify disabled Palestinians in the Beirut area. The results of the survey would be used for planning purposes to establish small-scale physiotherapy centres, vocational training workshops and the development of relevant educational programmed.

36. With donations amounting to $218,000 from the Canadian UNICEF Committee, the Canadian International Development Agency, the Arab League Educational, Cultural and Scientific Organization and the Arabian American Oil Company (ARAMCO), one well was duo and six others were rehabilitated in various camps at Beirut, north and south Lebanon. Courses on maintenance and operation of pumps were conducted for community leaders. Also, garbage collection campaigns were conducted and pit latrines were constructed in public places and in homes.

UNICEF assistance to Palestinian children and mothers in the Syrian Arab Republic

37. A new programme of co-operation for assistance to Palestinian children and mothers in the Syrian Arab Republic was also approved by the UNICEF Executive Board at its 1984 session. The activities to be supported include child health, pre-school services, non-formal education and water supply and sanitation. The commitment approved by the UNICEF Executive Board total S550,000 from general resources covering the period from mid-1984 to mid-1987. The Board also noted an amount of $450,000, subject to availability of specific purpose contributions, for the financing of a water supply and sanitation project in refugee camps.

38. In the area of child health, UNICEF assistance is directed to support maternal and child health services provided by 19 UNRWA-run clinics located in various refugee camps, including Yarmouk, Sitti Zeinab, Ramadan, Sasa and Gillen. Fifteen traditional birth attendants (days) received training to improve their pre-natal skills. This was the first time that such courses were provided to Palestinian days in the Syrian Arab Republic. Through this training new functions for days are being introduced, namely the promotion of the Expanded Programme of Immunization (EPI) activities and the distribution of oral rehydration salts tORS) packets to families. Health education courses focusing on child survival interventions for 50 primary school teachers and 25 pre-school teachers are being developed. UNICEF inputs for the above activities include the supply of vaccines, cold chain equipment and ORS packets to UNRWA and midwifery and first-aid kits to days.

39. The basic strategy adopted to expand opportunities for early childhood stimulation is to support the existing pre-school facilities sponsored by non-governmental organizations, particularly the General Union of Palestinian Women, to encourage their expansion and improve the quality of instruction, to introduce non-conventional means of early childhood stimulation such as home-based instruction of children through their mothers. In 1984, UNICEF assisted in the training of 30 kindergarten teachers and provided play materials, basic furniture and kitchen equipment to pre-school facilities in the camp of Sitti Zeinab. Two residential care institutions for orphans catering for 100 boys and 100 girls received educational materials, basic furniture, sewing and knitting machines and transport.

40. A study has been initiated to assess the needs for water supply and sanitation services in the camps of Jaramana, Sitti Zeinab, Jelen and Ain El-Tall A project will be developed on the basis of the findings of the study and supplementary funds would be sought from interested donors to finance water and sanitation activities for these camps.

Assistance to Palestinian children and mothers in the occupied Arab territories

41. The UNICEF Executive Board session in 1984 noted an amount of $1,700,000, subject to the availability of specific purpose contributions, to support a project designed to enhance the survival, growth and development of Palestinian children with particular emphasis on the early childhood period O to 6 years of age. The duration of the project is for three years, 1984-1987, and the Federal Republic of Germany has pledged to finance the project in total.

42. The main objectives of the project are: to upgrade and extend maternal and child health (MCH) services; to provide the use of oral Dehydration therapy to reduce infant and child mortality and mortality associated with diarrhoeal diseases; to expand immunization against the most common childhood diseases; to reverse the downward trend in the practice of breast-feeding and promote improved infant feeding and weaning practices; to expand the opportunities for early childhood stimulation for children 3 to 6 years old; and to promote the prevention, early detection, and treatment of childhood disabilities, and rehabilitation. To achieve these objectives, the following strategies/means would be applied: (a) fact-finding and operational research; (b) training and skill-upgrading of various categories of personnel; c) advocacy and promotion by various means, including mass media, of ideas and concepts related to the above objectives; and (d) provision of technical and material support in pursuit of the above objectives.

43. In the area of child survival and development, the maternal and child health services provided by Governments, charitable societies and by UNRWA were supported through the following activities of UNICEF:

(a) Forty public health nurses were trained in post-basic courses that emphasized growth monitoring techniques, oral dehydration therapy, proper infant feeding and improved surveillance of expectant mothers;

(b) One hundred and twenty traditional birth attendants (days) were trained to improve their prenatal skills, to monitor the growth of children 0 to 3 years of age through use of portable scales and simple growth charts and to train mothers in oral Dehydration therapy;

(c) A pilot primary health care project was developed in four villages in the least developed district of Hebron in the West Bank. In the first phase of the project, four village health workers were selected by their communities and were assigned a location in their villages to be used as a focal point for health activities. The main function of village health workers is to organize prenatal care, growth monitoring of infants, promote wider coverage of EPI and provide simple health education. In the next phase, from February to the end of 1985, at least 10 more villages will be included in the project. UNICEF inputs include training costs and honoraria for village health workers, co-ordinator's salary, research and record-keeping costs and transport for supervision;

(d) UNRWA's maternal and child health services were supported by UNICEF through the provision of vaccines, cold chain equipment and oral rehydration salts.

44. UNICEF co-operated with charitable societies in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip to support pre-school activities through the provision of classroom furniture to 190 kindergarten classes, which were purchased from the Palestinian Al-Bir Society of Jericho. In addition, UNICEF supported training courses for kindergarten teachers, 85 at Bethlehem and 130 in the Gaza Strip.

45. A child development centre has been established in Ramallah District. The centre is staffed by a director, a pediatrician, a psychologist, a visiting nurse/midwife and a social worker. The task of the centre is to promote the survival, growth and development of the young child. The child development centre, besides examining the children to detect possible physical and mental disabilities and referring them for follow-up treatment, maintains wide relations with all health and social welfare services in the community and acts as a focal point for information on child growth and development. A training course for intermediate level skills in physic, audio and occupational therapy was carried out in February 1985 and will last until April 1986. Some 20 candidates are being trained. UNICEF provides salary support to the core-staff of the centre, consultant fees and training costs.

4.  United Nations Conference on Trade and Development

46. On the basis of its work previously carried out, the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), in its resolution 146 (VI) of 2 July 1983, 6/ requested the Secretary-General of UNCTAD to set up a special unit to monitor and investigate the policies of the Israeli occupation authorities which were hampering the economic development of the occupied Palestinian territories. The General Assembly, in resolution 38/155 of 19 December 1983, took note of the UNCTAD resolution and provisions were made for the unit in UNCTAD's 1984/85 budget. In December, 1984 the Chief of the Unit was appointed and the Unit started its operations. Since that date, the Unit has been:

(a) Collating information available at present, identifying gaps, and seeking other sources,

(b) Co-operating with other bodies in the United Nations system and making contacts with appropriate government and non-governmental bodies and representatives. The chief of the unit has visited a number of centres in the Middle East to establish contact and set up means of transmission to UNCTAD;

(c) Contributing to other bodies' programmed within the united Nations system as appropriate.

47. While no studies were undertaken by UNCTAD on the problem during 1984, previous reports entitled "Review of the economic conditions of the Palestinian people in the occupied Arab territories" (TD/B/870 of 26 August 1981) and Palestine: options for developments (TD/B/960 of 11 May 1983), were still being made available and were being requested by other organizations during the year.

48. The first of these reports (TD/B/870) concentrated on the issues to be faced if the Palestinian economy was to be strengthened and provided with a basis for future development. The issues were: emigration, the problems of the work-force, Israeli settlements, water, agriculture, industry and balance of payments. The report set the basis for future action by UNCTAD within its aim to provide a wider strategy for the development of Palestine as an emergent nation as envisaged in resolution 109 (V) of 1 June 1979. 7/ The second report (TD/B/9 60) dealt with the consequences of development under conditions in which there would be a substantial return of the Palestinian diaspora.

5. United Nations Industrial Development Organization

49. The United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) is carrying out the following activities: (a) assistance to the plastic industry ($17,670); this project is to identify the problems of the plastic industry and to make recommendations with particular emphasis on capacity utilization; (b) feasibility study on a canning plant for citrus fruits ($53,505).

6.  United Nations Centre for Human Settlements (Habitat)

50. Pursuant to the various resolutions on Assistance to the Palestinian people adopted by the General Assembly and the Economic and Social Council, Habitat has offered nine middle-level training fellowships for Qualified Palestinians to be trained in various selected disciplines in the field of human settlements. Pursuant to General Assembly resolution 39/169 of 17 December 1984, Habitat organized a seminar on the living conditions of the Palestinian people in the occupied Palestinian territories at Vienna from 25 to 29 March 1985. Twelve experts participated in the seminar. In addition, a delegation from PLO participated as provided for in the resolution. Representatives of UNIDO, UNCTAD and WHO also participated. The Secretary-General will report on the seminar to the General Assembly at its fortieth session, through the Economic and Social Council.

7.  Economic Commission for Western Asia

51. During 1984, a study on food security issues in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip was completed. This study, which was a joint undertaking between the Economic Commission for Western Asia (ECWA) and the Arab Organization for Agricultural Development, dealt with a wide range of food security aspects, and made recommendations on the ways and means of promoting food production and raising nutritional standards under prevailing conditions.

52. At the request of the Palestinian Central Statistical Office a senior official from the Statistics Division of ECWA made a visit to the office from 22 to 27 October 1984, where he identified areas of possible assistance to be undertaken by ECWA in the course of 1985. These are:

(a) Preparation of a household survey project;

(b) Studying methods of data processing and means of developing them;

(c) Drawing up a programme of action in the field of statistics jointly with the Palestinian Central Statistical Office;

(d) Studying other proposals by the Office and making necessary recommendations in this respect.

53. In preparation for the world Conference to Review and Appraise the Achievements of the United Nations Decade for Women: Equality, Development and Peace, to be held at Nairobi in 1985, ECWA has prepared two documents entitled "Assessment of the conditions of Arab Women in Western Asia during the United Nations Decade for Women" and "Strategy for development of Arab women in Western Asia to the year 2000". Both documents emphasize the issues of women and peace in the region, especially the issues of Palestinian women in the occupied territories.

54. Pursuant to its resolutions 27 (III) of 14 May 1976, 123 (X) of 11 May 1983, and 124 (XI) of 26 April 1984, ECWA requested an intergovernmental ad hoc committee composed of seven members to consider the observations of members on a study

entitled "Final report on the economic and social situation and potential of the Palestinian Arab peoples, commissioned earlier by ECWA, and produce a new version Of the study, within a period not exceeding eight months. The meeting of the ad hoc committee did not take place. At its twelfth session, in April 1985, the Commission adopted resolution 141 (XII) by which it referred the study. to the secretariat for revision, with the participation of PLO, Jordan and any other member States that so wished. Observations made or those that might be communicated up to the end of June 1985 would be taken into account. It also decided that the committee should begin its work not later than one month after 25 April 1985 and complete its task by the end of August 1985 at the latest. The Commission also requested the Executive Secretary to invite members to a governmental meeting to be held not later than the end of October 1985 to approve the study.

8.  Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific

55. The Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) has contributed indirectly to the provision of economic and social assistance to the Palestinian people, through co-operation with the Economic Commission for Western Asia, in promoting economic and technical co-operation and/or information exchange. For instance, in connection with the Transport and Communication Decade for Asia and the Pacific, 1985-1994, experts from ESCAP and ECWA exchanged views on how to co-ordinate their respective programmed in transport as called for in the Economic and Social Council resolution 1984/78 of 27 July 1984.

9.  Centre for Science and Technology for Development

56. Within its mandate to assist the Intergovernmental Committee in the implementation of the Vienna Programme of Action, the Centre has undertaken activities aimed at the strengthening of the science and technology capacity of developing countries that are of relevance to the economic and social development of the Palestinian people. Thus the regional review for the implementation of the Vienna Programme of Action (Baghdad, 17 to 20 February 1985), which was undertaken by ECWA in close co-operation with the Centre, led to the adoption of a number of recommendations which were based, among other things, on the need to enhance the ability of the Palestinian people in the development of their endogenous capacity for the application of science and technology for development.

10. Centre for Social Development and Humanitarian Affairs of the

Department of International Economic and Social Affairs

57. The Centre has prepared a report on the situation of women and children living in the occupied Arab territories and other occupied territories which will be submitted to the 1985 World Conference to review and appraise the achievements of the United Nations Decade for Womens Equality, Development and Peace (A/CONF.116/6).*

*In this connection see document A/40/188-E/1985/60.

B. Specialized agencies

1. International Labour Organisation

58. The current activities of the International Labour Organisation (ILO) in the field of assistance to the Palestinian people are based on a resolution adopted by the International Labour Conference at its sixty-sixth session (June 1980) concerning the implications of Israeli settlements in Palestine and other occupied Arab territories in connection with the situation of Arab workers. That resolution, inter alia, requests the Governing Body of the International Labour Office and the Director-General "to provide all types of assistance and support to Arab citizens in Palestine and the other occupied territories to strengthen their economic and technical capabilities and to counteract the effects of the Israeli occupation and settlement policy.

59. The latest report on the situation of workers in the occupied Arab territories was submitted by the Director-General of ILO to the International Labour Conference at its seventieth session (June 1984). It was prepared on the basis of missions to the Arab countries directly involved for consultations with government officials, employers and workers in those countries and with the Palestinian organizations based there, and on missions to Israel and the occupied territories for an on-the-spot inspection of the situation of the Arab workers. The report presented a series of recommendations for improving the situation, particularly in terms of employment, vocational training, working conditions, social security and trade union rights, and in the light of the implications of the establishment of Israeli settlements on the situation of Arab workers.

60. The report also devoted a special section to ongoing and projected technical assistance for the population of the occupied Arab territories. The ILO had participated mated in the formulation of two projects in the fields of labour and training which were to be implemented by UNDP. One, relating to the promotion of vocational and technical education, is operational. Its aim is to expand the existing vocational training facilities offered by the centres of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), government services or private institutions to enable them to meet urgent needs. Additional premises have been built and the necessary equipment purchased and delivered. The courses provided with UNDP assistance include two for radio and television repairers on the West Bank and a similar one in the Gaza Strip. There is also a course for repairers of air-conditioning equipment, refrigerators and household appliances, as well as two training courses for women's jobs. The other project, for specific training to meet urgent needs in the field of industrial management, was implemented during the second half of 1984 at the ILO International Centre for Advanced Technical and Vocational Training in Turin. It has enabled 19 managers of small and medium-sized undertakings in the occupied territories to improve their managerial skills and to acquire new technological know-how, especially with a view to the replacement of production equipment.

61. Apart from the participation of the Turin Centre in the implementation of the UNDP projects of assistance to the Palestinian people, the Director-General offered the services of ILO experts. Consequently, an ILO expert in the vocational training of women was made available to UNDP to implement a project of assistance to Palestinian women's institutions. This project is designed to expand the vocational training opportunities offered by these institutions and by Palestinian community development centres.

62. As in the previous biennium, the Director-General made an additional allocation from the organization's regular budget for 1984-1985 to finance technical assistance projects for the population of the occupied territories. Isolated assistance activities in this respect had already been implemented in the past, especially by the International Centre for Advanced Technical and Vocational Training. which provided assistance in the form of vocational training fellowship'' to Palestinians from advanced training institutions on the West Bank. Only a small number of scholarships, five in fact, were ultimately awarded in 1984, enabling the recipients to attend a course on the management of vocational training institutions. However, the invitation remains open to make as much use as possible of the opportunities provided by the Turin Centre's programmer, which are likely to be of interest to a wide range of occupational categories since they provide training opportunities for officers of trade unions, employers' organizations and co-operatives or in the technical spheres of special interest to the region.

63. In dealing with the development of technical co-operation for the benefit of the populations of the territories concerned, the report generally showed that some activities were undertaken and successfully implemented whereas others encountered delays or various obstacles and that closer and more co-operation between ILO and UNDP was possible. In order to further the necessary implementation of an expanded technical assistance programme in this field, the Director-General has recommended to the various parties concerned that all necessary steps should be taken with a view to implementing proposals based on the suggestions outlined in his report and that funding should be made available for the achievement of those objectives.

2.  Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations

64. During the period under review, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) assistance to the Palestinian people continued to be in the area of training, including an agricultural training centre and specialized training in agricultural development.

65. FAO is the executing agency of the agricultural training centre project which has a budget of $356,000 provided from the UNDP Programme Reserve. Its objective is to assist the Palestinian families of Gilline and Ramadan refugee camps in the Syrian Arab Republic to improve the production and efficiency of crop and livestock farmers and producers by providing facilities, knowledge, skills, materials-inputs and technical leadership for demonstration and training work.

66. The project dealing with specialized training in agricultural development ($84,000) provides for the award of three fellowships for university graduates.

67. The objective is to offer the required means for improving and updating the technical skill of three university graduates in animal husbandry, soil science and plant protection through intensive training programmed. The fellowship in soil science is completed and nominations for the other two fellowships are expected.

68. This follows a similar project which provided three fellowships in botany, food technology and agricultural engineering.

3. United Nations Educational, Scientific and

Cultural Organization

69. In resolution 2.1 adopted by the General Conference at its twenty-second session on 21 November 1983, the Director-General of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) is invited to continue co-operation with UNRWA, UNDP and the other institutions providing educational assistance to refugees and national liberation movements, inter alia, the Palestine Liberation Organization, and to strengthen activities aimed at training the professional personnel of these movements.

70. The agreement between UNESCO and UNRWA, whereby UNESCO assumes technical responsibilities for the education programme for Palestinian refugees, has been renewed for 1984-1985. Within the framework of this agreement, specialists are seconded to the UNRWA/UNESCO Department of Education to plan and supervise the operation of schools and centres in Jordan, Lebanon, the Syrian Arab Republic, the West Bank and the Gaza Strip. In 1984-1985, 20 specialists, including the Director of the Department, are provided for this programme as well as educational supplies and equipment.

71. In accordance with resolution 14.1 adopted by the General Conference at its twenty-first session, on 27 October 1980, the Director-General is continuing his efforts with the parties concerned in order to maintain the functioning of the cultural and educational institutions in the occupied Arab territories. A report on these efforts is regularly submitted to the Executive Board and a contribution to the Secretary-General's report is made in conformity with the relevant General Assembly resolutions.

72. In conformity with various resolutions adopted by the General Conference concerning the preservation of all cultural properties in the Old City of Jerusalem, the Director-General sent a personal representative to visit Jerusalem on many occasions for the protection of the cultural heritage of the Holy City. The latest such visit took place early in March 1985. A sum of $100,000 was contributed for technical studies relating to the restoration of five historical monuments in Jerusalem which were in a particularly deteriorated state.

73. In addition to the 35 fellowships granted from the regular programme for 1981-1983, nine fellowships have been granted from the Participation Programme and six from the Special Fund. A consultant has been hired to advise the Palestinian Literacy Council. In 1984-1985, 11 fellowships have so far been granted under the Participation Programme for training in civil engineering, architecture, mathematics, informatics etc.

74. Pursuant to a recommendation adopted by the Conference of Ministers of Education and those responsible for economic planning in the Arab States for the establishment of a UNESCO trust fund for financing scholarships for Palestinian

students, UNESCO opened a special account for that fund and has already received contributions from some Arab States. Another special account was opened for assistance to PLO with a financial contribution from the Iraqi Government for an amount of $50,000.

4.  World Health Organization

75. Following General Assembly resolution 38/83 A of 15 December 1983 regarding the extension of UNRWA's mandate until 30 June 1987, the WHO/UNRWA agreement was also extended until that date in accordance with the World Health Assembly resolution WHA22.25 adopted at its twenty-second session, in July 1969. WHO continued its close collaboration with UNRWA by sustaining the secondment of the health team. Through UNRWA, assistance was provided in the fields of child health, diarrhoeal diseases control, immunization and environmental health.

76. In follow-up to the request for immunization of Palestinian women against German measles, mentioned in the last report, vaccines and diagnostic kits were provided.

77. As part of WHO's efforts to achieve a comprehensive system of health care to the Palestinian people, the organization is continuing to support the development of basic radiological services (BRS) for better radiological coverage. The BRS machine offered earlier, has now been installed in the Becaa Valley Health Centre.

78. WHO has continued to award fellowships for the training of physicians and nurses in such areas as Maternal and Child Health (MCH), public health administration and clinical/tropical medicine. The organization also provided a consultant on the control of diarrhoeal diseases who, in collaboration with UNRWA staff, carried out two further training courses for physicians and nurses serving the Palestinian people. One was on oral rehydration and the other in the management of acute diarrhoea, which no doubt will have an impact on the proper management of severe cases and will greatly contribute to the reduction of mortality from diarrhoeal diseases. WHO staff and a short-term consultant assisted in a one-month food supervisors/nutrition course for UNRWA staff held at Amman in July-August 1984.

79. Achievements in the control of communicable diseases are reflected in the fact that Palestinians are now living in malaria-free areas and assistance in this field is no longer required.

80. WHO provided the services of one of its field staff-–a sanitary engineer–for a period of two weeks in February 1985 for review of the existing environmental health facilities and programmed in the West Bank and providing technical advice, as required.

81. The Director-General, in close collaboration with UNDP, has followed up resolution WHA36.27 adopted by the World Health Assembly at its thirty-sixth session in May 1986, regarding the establishment of three health centres in the occupied Arab territories. Funds have been mobilized for the launching of the first WHO Collaborating Centre in Primary Health Care Research, at Ramallah.

Specific research activities at Ramallah are expected to begin shortly. WHO inputs will consist of support to training, supply of equipment and essential consultant services. Negotiations regarding the other two centres are proceeding. It is anticipated that the second centre will be in the Gaza Strip, with emphasis on epidemiological studies related to primary health care, and a proposal for designation of that centre has been formally submitted to the authorities.

82. The Special Committee of Experts visited the occupied territories in April 1984 and reported its findings to the thirty-seventh World Health Assembly "document A37/13). In spite of the difficult situation which exists in the territories, the Committee was convinced that the health conditions could be improved if the recommendations it had made in previous reports continued to be implemented. WHO will continue to take into consideration these recommendations, in collaboration with the competent authorities, in planning future activities.

5.  International Maritime Organization

83. In accordance with the agreement of 1984 between the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and UNRWA, consultations are currently taking place for the purpose of determining appropriate arrangements for providing training facilities for suitably Qualified Palestinians in the maritime field.

6.  World Intellectual Property Organization

84. Under the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) training programme for 1984, a fellowship was awarded in the copyright field to one candidate selected from a group of three candidatures submitted by UNRWA. In addition, one fellowship has been awarded in the industrial property field, but training has not yet been started.

III.   FUTURE AND/OR PROPOSED ACTIVITIES:

DEVELOPMENT OF A CO-ORDINATED PROGRAMME OF ECONOMIC AND

SOCIAL ASSISTANCE TO THE PALESTINIAN PEOPLE

85. This section contains information provided by the organizations of the United Nations system on their future activities involving economic and social assistance to the Palestinian people. In order to move towards a co-ordinate programme of assistance, activities have been grouped into three broad categories, as follows: (a) development activities, (b) education and training' and to) health. Where available, total funds needed for an activity are stated or indicated in parentheses.

A.  Development activities

United Nations Development Programme

86. UNDP is currently seeking voluntary contributions in order to implement a wide range of pipeline projects which are at present under review with the representatives of the Palestinian people and the concerned authorities. The pipeline includes such projects as assistance to small-scale farmers (S1.2 million), agricultural and hydrology laboratories t$200,000), a plums and grapes processing factory in the West Bank ($20,000), development of olive groves and olive oil production ($200,000), assistance to the Gaza fishermen ($650,000), women'S institutions t$250,000), village and rural roads ($1 million), development of stone-cutting, glass and ceramic engineering technology t$400,000).

87. Over the past four years, an excellent record of programme delivery has been maintained and there are excellent prospects for the future. However, the viability of the UNDP programme of assistance to the Palestinian people is entirely dependent on the provision of additional funds in the form of voluntary contributions from Governments and intergovernmental institutions, in response to appeals of the UNDP Governing Council and the General Assembly.

United Nations Children's Fund

88. UNICEF will continue its programmed of co-operation to assist Palestinian children and mothers in Jordan, Lebanon, the Syrian Arab Republic and the occupied Arab territories as described in paragraphs 25 to 45 above. Available financial support from UNICEF general resources for the period 1985-1987 are as follows: 3671,000 for Jordan; $716,000 for Lebanon; and $546,000 for the Syrian Arab Republic. In addition $1,295,000 has been pledged to UNICEF by the Federal Republic of Germany in support of a programme to assist Palestinian children and mothers in the West Bank and Gaza.

89. UNICEF is seeking supplementary funds from interested donors to finance water supply and sanitation activities in refugee camps in northern and southern areas of Lebanon as well as in the Beqaa Valley. The amount being sought is $596,000 for the period 1985-1987 and will be used, among other things, to provide chemical kits and chlorinators to ensure safe drinking water in various camps and to construct new wells. In addition, garbage grinders and incinerators will be provided to improve environmental sanitation in the camps in Lebanon.

90. Similarly, $500,000 in donations is being sought to finance a water supply and sanitation project designed to provide safe drinking water to 30,000 Palestinians living in the camps of Jaramana and Qabr Essit in the Syrian Arab Republic. The activities to be supported include the construction of two wells (one in each camp), an elevated reservoir of 60 cubic metres capacity in Jeramana camp and the extension of the water distribution network in both camps, as well as improving the sewage systems.

United Nations Conference on Trade and Development

91. In its work programme for 1985 and the immediate future beyond, the Special Unit established pursuant to UNCTAD resolution 146 (VI) has included a number of specific tasks in pursuit of its mandate. Among these are:

(a) Further development of the data base established in the course of the previous studies mentioned;

(b) A number of organizations in the Arab world are being visited during the early part of the year to introduce the work of the Unit to them and to establish channels for receipt of information by UNCTAD. Although UNCTAD already has contacts with most of these organizations, the existence of the Unit in UNCTAD will enable these contacts to be more continuous, and UNCTAD's monitoring role will be facilitated;

(c) In direct pursuit of its mandate, the Unit will be monitoring and investigating the policies affecting the situation in the occupied territories, paying strict attention to the restrictions on trade and development which ensue. It is already anticipated that the restrictions on external trade, on the use by the Palestinian people of their indigenous resources such as land and water, and on public and private investment will figure prominently in the topics investigated;

(d) A report on the year's work will be submitted to the Trade and Development Board at its thirty-first session, to be held in September 1985, and to the General Assembly, through the Economic and Social Council, as required by UNCTAD resolution 146 (VI). In this, as in other reports prepared by UNCTAD, regard will be paid to the identification of policies and measures for the future development of the Palestinian economy and for the improvement of the economic conditions of the Palestinian people.

92. The Unit will concentrate on analysis, studies and reports. Extrabudgetary resources will be needed in order for UNCTAD to provide more direct operational assistance aimed at developing and strengthening the Palestinian economy.

United Nations Industrial Development Organization

93. UNIDO plans to undertake studies for the establishment of (a) industrial seaport facilities and (b) a Palestinian industrial development bank.

United Nations Centre for Human Settlements (Habitat)

94. Pursuant to resolution 7/8 of 10 May 1984 of the Commission on Human Settlements, Habitat 9/ has prepared, for submission to the eighth session of the Commission, a study on the possibility of carrying out a housing programme for the Palestinian population in the occupied Palestinian territories on the occasion of the International Year of Shelter for the Homeless in 1987.

Economic Commission for Western Asia

95. Under ECWA resolution 139 (XII) the Executive Secretary of ECWA has been asked to ensure that all available data and information relating to the occupied Palestinian territories are included in all studies and statistical abstracts issued by the Commission at the regional level. The Executive Secretary is also called upon to include in the programme of work and priorities for the period 1986-1987 studies, in co-operation with the concerned Arab and international Organizations, on economic and social conditions in the occupied Palestinian territories' such as may serve to strengthen the resistance of the Palestinian people in those areas, and to prepare studies on the population situation, the Israeli settlement policy aimed at changing the demographic structure and destroying the Palestinian character of the occupied Palestinian territories, and studies relating to support for the industrial sector, particularly existing industries, and the solution of the problems from which they suffer, such as those of marketing, finance, manpower and raw materials. The resolution also appealed to the international and Arab organizations concerned with problems of social and economic development to assist the Executive Secretary in the preparation and execution of such specialized studies.

United Nations Environment Programme

96. UNEP will work through thematic joint programming with ECWA on strengthening a multi disciplinary data base by identifying and emphasizing the environmental statistics essentially needed for enhancing indigenous environmental awareness in pursuing sustained development projects for Palestinian communities in occupied territories.

97. In 1985 or 1986, UNEP will organize, upon the request of the Palestine Liberation Organization, a technical meeting to address specific environmental problems confronting the Palestinian people.

Centre for Social Development and Humanitarian Affairs

98. Pursuant to Economic and Social Council resolution 1984/18 of 24 May 1984, the Centre will prepare:

(a) An updated version of the report on the situation of women and children living in the Arab occupied territories for submission to the Commission on the Status of Women at its thirty-first session in 1986;

(b) A comprehensive report on the situation of Palestinian women living within and outside the occupied Arab territories for submission to the Commission on the Status of Women at its thirty-second session in 1988. An interim report on this Question will be submitted to the Commission on the Status of Women at its thirty-first session in 1986.

International Labour Organisation

99. In 1984 ILO identified a series of additional proposals for assistance in its fields of competence to supplement its participation in the relevant UNDP programme. Some of these proposals had already been selected in 1979 by the inter-agency group for assistance to the Palestinian people, while others were identified by ILO since then. They consist of ideas for projects for the following activities: (a) opportunities for training through the International Centre for Advanced Technical and Vocational Training in Turin in the following areas: occupational safety and health, teacher training, training for managers of co-operatives, management of vocational training institutions, (b) assistance in the development of co-operatives and assistance to employers' and trade union organizations' (cJ the preparation of two studies on the social security and employment market aspects, respectively, of the situation in the occupied territories.

United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization

100. The following projects can be executed by UNESCO in the area of culture, should be required funding be available:

Palestinian National Archives

(a) Collection and reconstitution of the national, historical, social, economic and cultural archives of the Palestinian people, and preparation of an inventory of manuscripts,

(b) Studies and research on the Palestinian cultural heritage,

(c) Complete inventory of the movable Palestinian cultural heritage,

(d) Programme of action on Palestinian literature, including, in particular, the translation into English, French and Spanish of representative works in various literary categories,

(e) Preparation of works on Palestinian archaeological sites,

(f) Provision of financial assistance to the International Association for the Protection and Development of the Palestinian Cultural Heritage,

(g) Recording on microfilm of manuscripts, works and documents kept in various mosques, churches, museums, libraries, universities and public and private foundations on the subject of the Palestinian people, giving priority to works and archives in occupied Arab territories.

101. In order to carry out this major project, it will first be necessary to acquire the necessary equipment and the services of qualified specialists. Estimated cost of all the actions in the area of culture: approximately $4 million.

International Telecommunication Union

102. For 1985 one work/month of expertise is planned to carry out a survey on Palestinian needs in the field of telecommunications, and to prepare a detailed proposal for future technical co-operation with PLO, starting in 1987. The resources available in ITU for implementing the proposed activities for 1985 are approximately $12,000.

B. Education and training

United Nations Development Programme

103. The proposed activities of UNDP in the education sector include building additional classrooms in rural villages ($1 million), and providing teachers' training foe higher education ($400,000),and assistance to primary and secondary education in Gaza ($250,000), development and strengthening of the agricultural educational institutions in E1 Arub ($224,000), training of specialists for glass and ceramics work referred to earlier.

United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East

104. UNRWA intends to continue and improve the activities described in paragraphs 17 to 24 above subject to the availability of funds.

United Nations Children's Fund

105. UNICEF will continue its assistance to pre-school services for Palestinian children during the period 1985-1987 through financing in-service training courses for kindergarten teachers and the provision of basic furniture, audio-visual equipment, indoor and outdoor play materials, and children's books to pre-school facilities. By 1987, it is expected that 130 kindergarten teachers in Lebanon and 90 teachers each in Jordan, the Syrian Arab Republic and in the occupied Arab territories (West Bank and Gaza), will have been enrolled in refresher courses. Basic furniture and educational and play materials will be provided to 44 pre-school facilities in Lebanon, 9 in Jordan, 40 in the Syrian Arab Republic and IS in the West Bank and Gaza. Negotiations are under way with UNRWA sponsored vocational training centres in Jordan and the Syrian Arab Republic for the production of the needed furniture. A Palestinian vocational training institution operated by the Al-Bir Society at Jericho has been contracted by UNICEF to produce basic furniture for pre-school facilities in the West Bank. Pre-vocational training and literacy classes for the benefit of young girls and women will be supported by UNICEF. Sewing, knitting and embroidery machines and typewriters will be provided to 18 workshops in Lebanon, 24 in Jordan and 6 in the Syrian Arab Republic. UNICEF plans to finance 32 literacy classes for 800 women in Lebanon and to support in-service training courses for 60 literacy instructors in Jordan.

United Nations Fund for Population Activities

106. In February 1984, UNFPA was requested to support the financing of six fellowships for post-graduate studies in various specializations falling within the UNFPA mandate. Three of the fellowships are to be undertaken at the Cairo Demographic Centre and the other three at universities in Western countries. These fellowships would be in the field of population data collection and analysis, population education information and communication, maternal and child health and family planning, and population and development. The fellowships will be implemented through the UNDP approved programme for teachers' training for higher education designed to fill shortages of qualified teacher staff in universities in the West Bank and Gaza Strip. Funds are available once suitable candidates are nominated. No constraints or problems in implementation are foreseen.

United Nations Environment Programme

107. UNEP is prepared to assist in training the sanitary staff of Arab municipalities in occupied territories. A short training course in co-operation with WlIO has been proposed.

United Nations Industrial Development Organization

108. UNIDO plans to undertake a training programme specifically designed for the Palestinian people in co-operation with the International Centre for Advanced Technical and Vocational Training in the following fields: (a) organization and management of industrial co-operatives; (b) policy and consultancy activities in small-scale industrial enterprises.

Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations

109. FAO will continue its assistance to the Palestinian people in the area of training, including an agricultural training centre and specialized training in agricultural development, as described in paragraphs 64-68 above.

110. On the basis of specific requests, FAO would be ready to consider applications for fellowships in agricultural training from suitably qualified Palestine refugee students.

International Labour Organisation

111. ILO could undertake training through the International Centre at Turin in the following areas: work safety and hygiene; teacher training; training of officers of co-operatives; operation of vocational training institutions.

United Nations Educational Organization

112. The following projects can be executed by UNESCO in the area of education, should the required funding be available:

Training

(a) Increasing and strengthening of financial means for the granting of Scholarships by all agencies of the United Nations system in their sphere of competence;

(b) Establishment of a scholarship fund to be financed by gifts, in accordance with resolution 21 C/14.1 adopted by the General Conference on 25 November 1983;

Amount: $1 million

(c) Financial assistance for the production of school and university textbooks in various disciplines such as history, sociology, economy, the sciences and cultural heritage;

Open university:

financial assistance for:

(a) Preparation of textbooks;

(b) Organization of training courses for the teaching staff;

(c) Purchase of equipment for the university.

Amount: $1 million

Educational and cultural institutions

(a) Increased financial assistance for the equipment of educational institutions within the universities of the occupied Arab territories and in Lebanon;

Amount: $500,000

(b) Financial assistance for the reconstruction of Palestinian educational and cultural institutions in Lebanon;

Amount: $1 million

$4 million.

Estimated cost of all action in the area of education: approximately

International Telecommunication Union

113. ITU is planning to provide two fellowships for Palestinian candidates for training in the field~of communications.

Universal Postal Union

114. The agency is planning the following activities for the period 1986-1990: two four-year fellowships for two Palestinian students at the Arab Postal faculty at Damascus.

115. The total amount of the UPU contribution for the four years will be $48,000.

World Intellectual Property Organization

116. WIPO has invited the Commissioner-General of UNRWA, the Secretary of the Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People, and the Permanent Observer of the Palestine Liberation Organization at Geneva to propose candidates for the 1985 WIPO training programme in the field of copyright and industrial property.

C. Health

World Health Organization

117. Continued collaboration with UNRWA, allocation of funds to the Palestinian Red Crescent Society and provision of fellowships and training have been approved for the biennium 1986-1987.

118. A second basic radiological services machine will be provided for the Bureij TB hospital at Gaza. This machine along with the one already installed in Beqaa will greatly improve the diagnostic facilities supporting primary health care for the Palestinian people.

119. The following new or continuing activities are also proposed:

(a) Training of trainers of community health workers in information education for health and new policies and approaches in primary health care;

(b) Health protection and promotion: improvement of Maternal and Child Health (MCH) services including the provision of relevant WHO publications and other educational material; assistance in selection and procurement of essential drugs, and reorganization and expansion of existing facilities; upgrading of skills of health workers in basic laboratory techniques; rehabilitation project;

(c) Disease prevention and control: provision of consultants to advise on prevention and control of specific diseases; provision of essential supplies and equipment; development of manpower in various fields;

(d) Environmental health: follow-up action on recommendations of the report of the WHO Sanitary Engineer; feasibility studies of medium-term investment programme–a two-man team for a period of two months; training could be enhanced through on-site courses for sanitarians and for higher level training abroad; development of water quality surveillance and control programme study of development and organization of solid-waste management systems.

120. Funds have already been earmarked through to 1987 for a certain number of activities. However, further funds would have to be sought from extra budgetary Sources to enable WHO to carry out some of the new projects.

121. With the introduction of an immunization programme, communicable diseases are now well controlled. However, a new morbidity pattern is gradually emerging and the services of a WHO consultant on diabetes was requested to assess the prevalence Of the disease. Unfortunately it was not possible to implement this activity in 19~4 as the consultants approached were not available to undertake the assignment, it is hoped that this will be effected in the course of the current year.

122. Manpower resources are available (WHO specialized staff, consultants and so on) but the major problem remains that of funding. While the organization will continue to do its utmost to provide all possible assistance, many of the proposed activities cannot be carried out because of budgetary constraints.

United Nations Children's Fund

123. UNICEF will continue its activities in the area of child health as described in paragraphs 25 to 45 above with the aim of enhancing the survival, growth and development of infants and children with emphasis on age group 0-5. The key strategy to be pursued is the reduction of infant mortality and morbidity through effective immunization programmed, growth monitoring techniques for infants and children age group 0-5, systematic and universal use of oral rehydration therapy to cut down on morbidity and mortality due to dehydration from repeated diarrhoeal episodes. UNICEF inputs will include the supply of vaccines, cold chain equipment, oral rehydration salts, midwifery and first-aid kits to days, technical medical equipment and essential drugs. Also, financial support will be provided for training programmer to improve the skills of paramedical personnel involved in UNICEF assisted activities as well as for days in Jordan, Lebanon, the Syrian Arab Republic and in the occupied Arab territories (West Bank and Gaza). The main collaborating agencies involved will include UNRWA, the Palestinian Red Crescent Society and governmental health services available for Palestinians.

124. UNICEF is planning to support research projects to be carried out in Jordan, Lebanon and the Syrian Arab Republic to determine the prevalence of hearing and vision defects among young children and subsequently to develop programmer for the prevention and low-cost treatment of childhood disabilities. In the West Bank and Plaza, UNICEF will continue to support the child development centre at Ramallah and will help in the establishment of a similar centre in the Hebron district. Also under consideration is the establishment of a third centre either in the Gaza Strip or at Nablus. These centres will act as community-based institutions for the promotion of sound ideas on the prevention and early detection of childhood disabilities and will refer children to relevant institutions for follow-up treatment.

United Nations Development Programme

125. UNDP proposed activities would provide medical equipment for hospitals ($3 million), operational requirements of the UNDP-sponsored Medical Services Training Centre at Bethlehem (35.5 million), and mobile clinics for rural villages ($1 million). It will also participate in a joint project, financed by WHO, dealing with primary health care research, at Ramallah. The pipeline projects also cover sanitation and water supply in rural villages ($2 million) and a large sewage disposal scheme in the Gaza Strip, which is considered as a project of the highest priority ($5 million). The Government of the United States of America has committed S1 million to the sewage disposal scheme project in the Gaza Strip. The President of the Arab Gulf Programme for the United Nations Development Organizations (AGFUND), His Royal Highness Prince Talal Bin Abdul Aziz Al Saud, also announced that $1 million will be allocated to this project which is expected to become operational during 1985.

United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East

126. UNRWA intends to continue and improve the activities described in paragraphs 17 to 24 above, subject to the availability of funds.

127. As has been indicated above, organs and organizations of the United Nations system have been providing economic and social assistance to the Palestinian people in accordance with their respective mandates. Given the complexity of the issues and circumstances involved, it is difficult at this stage to provide specific information on all aspects of the activities with a detailed assessment of financial requirements. The present effort builds upon the experience in the implementation of General Assembly resolution 38/145 and provides fuller information on proposed or planned activities for the future in a thematic framework. It is an attempt to move further towards developing a co-ordinate programme of economic and social assistance to the Palestinian people in accordance with General Assembly resolution 39/224.

IV. CONCLUDING OBSERVATIONS

Notes

No. 12 (E/1980/42/Rev.l), chap. II.B.

Official Records of the Economic and Social Council, 1980, Supplement

Ibid., 1979, Supplement No. 10, chap. XXI.

Ibid., 1982, Supplement No. 6, annex I.

4/ Official Records of the General Assembly, Thirty-ninth Session, Supplement

No. 13 (A/39/13).

5/ Official Records of the Economic and Social Council, 1984, Supplement No 9, annex VI

6/ See Proceedings of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development, Sixth Session, vol. I, Report and Annexes (United Nations publication Sales No. E.83.II.D.6), part one, sect. A.

 Ibid., Fifth Session, vol. I, Report and Annexes (United Nations publication Sales No. E.79.II.D.14), part one, sect. A.

8/ See the report of the Secretary-General on "Living conditions of the Palestinian people in the occupied Palestinian territories" (A/40/373-E/1985/99).

 Official Records of the General Assembly, Thirty-ninth Session, Supplement No. 8 (A/39/18), annex I