The demand for durable solutions that has been expressed in the early 1980s has not yet developed sufficient momentum to improve substantially the prospects for refugees. Thus far the renewed push for durable solutions has produced increased attention to the problem ? since 1983 "Durable Solutions" has been an item on the agenda of UNHCR's Executive Committee; the 1984 Second International Conference on Assistance to Refugees in Africa (ICARA II) had the theme "Time for Solutions", and the 1984 Principles for Action in Developing Countries "demand durable solutions" ? but only modest results have been achieved in actually attaining more durable solutions. There is increased effort for durable solutions as shown by the increased percentage of the UNHCR budget spent on durable solution activities. However, increased expenditures do not automatically bring increased solutions. Perhaps too much of the renewed effort for durable solutions has concentrated on resources rather than on using more effectively what is already available. It is also important to remember that refugee assistance has not been, is not now, and never should be dominated by a balance sheet mentality. Cost consciousness is secondary to other goals. Refugee assistance is humanitarian assistance to restore victims of injustice to full membership in a human community. Sometimes the only choice is an expe

e the invasion. "Refugee problems demand durable solutions" not only because of the cost to the international community, the burden on the host, and the waste of the refugees lives but because in their second, third and fourth generation refugees can be a violent and destabilizing

eople. A durable solution means the integration of refugees into a society: either reintegration into their homeland after voluntary repatriation or integration into the country of asylum if settlement is allowed or into a third country through resettlement. No durable solution can mean open-ended, expensive care and maintenance of refugees who must wait for an opportunity to put down roots and again become members of a society

Durable Solutions for Developing Country Refugees