Israel continued to lead the nations of the world in the number of refugees accepted as immigrants, according to the August report of the International Refugee Organization, which was made public here today. The Jewish state had admitted a total of 113,122 former charges of the I.R.O. up to the end of August.
The latest statistical report from the I.R.O. also reveals that the number of refugees and displaced persons receiving care and maintenance from the I.R.O. fell below 400,000 during August for the first time since the agency began operations.
Meanwhile, a proposal to extend the work of the International Refugee Organization for one year was submitted last night to the General Council of the I.R.O., now in session in Geneva, by Director-General J. Donald Kingsley, it was reported here. The I.R.O. is scheduled to terminate its activities in June, 1950. The proposal carried with it a recommendation for a greatly-reduced budget for the organization which would at the same time enable it to complete the job of resettling displaced persons.
Mr. Kingsley’s request followed a re-examination of the problem of the so-called group of “hard-core” refugees, whose numbers were previously estimated at 150,000. According to a new study, he said, there appear now to be only some 50,000 DP’s in this grouping. It is generally believed here that the U.S. supports Mr. Kingsley’s action.
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