The Intergovernmental Committee on Refugees was authorized on July 16, 1946, by action of its Executive Committee, to extend its program of operations to include emigration services on behalf of non-repatriable refugees in Germany, Austria and Italy. Preliminary work of resettlement and actual operation insofar as practicable was thus undertaken, pending the establishment of the new International Refugee Organization, which will absorb the functions of the Committee. The scope of current activities of the Committee was extended to “all persons wherever they may be who, as a result of events in Europe, had to leave or may have to leave their countries of residence because of danger to their lives or liberties on account of race, religion or political beliefs.” Nansen refugees (formerly cared for under the League of Nations), German and Austrian refugees, Spanish refugees and displaced persons, who are unwilling or unable to return to their countries of nationality, were entitled to aid from the Committee.