International Refugee Organization

The report of the Director-General on the work of the International Refugee Organization since July 1,1948 stated that by December 1948, IRO had received 1,000,000 applications for assistance. The main factors contributing to the high rate of intake were: 1) the large number of applications from persons who, employed in Germany and Austria, had not previously required IRO assistance, but who, as a result of widespread unemployment appearing immediately after the currency reforms, were unable to support themselves or their families; and 2) the influx of new refugees from eastern Europe. The administrative restriction upon the admission of new cases only on proof of hardship had been maintained. The figure for new admissions to care and maintenance had reached an average of 8,000 per month, including approximately 1,100 births. Despite a high rate of new admissions, the total number of refugees receiving care and maintenance, rather than simply help in resettlement or repatriation, had diminished at a rate of 10,000 or more per month. Of the major national or ethnic groups, the Jewish group had declined most rapidly, reflecting principally departures for Israel. In addition to those persons receiving care and maintenance, there were 191,232 refugees registered for IRO services. This brought to a total 715,091 persons receiving IRO assistance at the end of December 1948.