UN General Assembly
1988

Honduras extends protection in its territory at the present time to approximately 45,000 refugees - Nicaraguan, Salvadorians and, to a lesser extent, Guatemalans - in camps which receive assistance from UNHCR. To that number we must add about 200,000 citizens from those countries who have entered Honduras since 1979 and are living widely scattered over our national territory, in many cases lacking proper documentation. For a small country such as Honduras, which is struggling with great determination and self-sacrifice to emerge from underdevelopment, the entry of so many refugees into its territory imposes a burden that exceeds its capabilities. In this respect, it is essential to find a permanent solution to the problems of the placement of those refugees, whether by facilitating their repatriation, which necessarily requires a successful effort at democratization and domestic reconciliation in the countries concerned, or by their relocation in third countries. I wish to pay a well-deserved tribute to UNHCR for its difficult and meritorious work in connection with the material care of Central American refugees and in facilitating their voluntary repatriation.