solutions. Nigeria considered that UNHCR should continue to prepare its budgets on the basis of an objective assessment of refugee needs and subsequently explore, with the support of members of the Executive Committee, all possible sources of funding. If, as had occurred in the previous year, funding shortfalls occurred, the High Commissioner should be allowed the leverage and flexibility necessary to determine how best to address the situation, without being pinned down by regulatory mechanisms such as priority-setting. 24. For third world nations, and in particular for poor countries of asylum in Africa, the refugee problem was a reality that could not be reduced to accounting or legal limitations. It was a tragedy that challenged the collective conscience of the international commimity. Nigeria paid tribute to all those countries that had consistently supported UNHCR activities and urged them not to slacken their humanitarian efforts at a time when new sources of funding were being sought which should ensure more equitable burden-sharing. A/AC,96/SR.449 page 6 25. Mrs. SINEGIORGIS (Observer for Ethiopia) said that she was happy to note that the Temporary Working Group had adopted its report (A/AC.96/742) by consensus. 26. Half of the world's 15 million refugees were on the African continent, where they were hosted by countries that possessed meagre resources and were beset by serious economic difficulties. Ethiopia, which was one of the least developed countries, had taken in some 800,000 refugees to whom it provided assistance, at the expense of its own drought-stricken population. In addition, the economic and social infrastructure of the zones of asylum was far from adequate, even for the local population, and essential needs such as primary health care, drinking water supply and basic education for school-age children were not fully met. If UNHCR was to fulfil its mandate, such indispensable services as were embodied in its programme needed to be implemented. 
**Analysis**
The text discusses the refugee problem, the challenges faced by host countries, and the need for international support and funding to address the issue. The emphasis is on humanitarian aid and relief, with mentions of economic difficulties, infrastructure, and essential services such as healthcare, water supply, and education. While there are no direct mentions of economic development, industry, or transport, the focus on humanitarian aid and relief suggests that these themes are secondary to the primary concern of addressing the refugee crisis.

**Category**
Humanitarian aid and relief