Functions and composition of the technical mission on refugees – UNCCP working paper (revised)

UNITED NATIONS CONCILIATION COMMISSION FOR PALESTINE

FUNCTIONS AND COMPOSITION OF THE

TECHNICAL MISSION ON REFUGEES

(Note by the Secretariat)

A. FUNCTIONS (TERMS OF REFERENCE)

1) To undertake immediate steps to determine, as precisely as possible, the number of refugees, their places of origin, means of livelihood, and such other information of a factual nature as night be pertinent to the ultimate repatriation, resettlement and rehabilitation of the refugees.

2) To study and recommend to the Commission a practicable method of determining, at the appropriate time, which refugees desire to return to their former homes and which do not.

3) To study and recommend to the Commission practicable projects for providing immediate work relief for refugees under the auspices of the several states concerned.

4) To assemble from all available sources technical information based on previous studies of the region which would be useful in determining the practical possibilities of repatriation, resettlement and rehabilitation of the refugees.

5) To study the question and practicable methods for the payment of compensation to refugees not choosing to return to their homes and for loss of  or damage to property which under principles of international law or in equity should be made good by the Governments or authorities responsible.

6) To maintain close relations with the United Nations Relief for Palestine Refugees and affiliated agencies in order to keep the Commission informed of the status of the direct relief program.

B. COMPOSITION OF THE MISSION

1) Because of the highly technical nature of the tasks to be undertaken, selection of personnel should be made on the basis of individual competence and technical qualifications, with only such consideration of nationality as is given normally in the creation of all United Nations bodies.

2) The mission should be regarded as a "task force" created to produce specific results by scientific methods in the shortest possible time. Within the general framework of the directives of the Commission, the mission should be under the immediate supervision of a director or chief, who would have authority to select such other personnel as might be required for performance of the job. The director should report to the Commission through the Principal Secretary; all major staff appointments would be made with the approval of the Commission and the Principal Secretary.

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