Despite the fact that the General Assembly of the United Nations established a budget of $155,860,500 for first year of operation of the IRO, as of September, 1947, contributions were at the rate of only $90,000,000 a year, and actual payments represented only one-fourth of the annual contributions of the twelve member governments. With these funds the Preparatory Commission, which had taken over operational activities of UNRRA and IGC on June 30, 1947, maintained 640,000 people in European and Middle Eastern camps, and was providing legal assistance and administrative aid to 900,000 others not in camps. Food and transportation was being given those who voluntarily returned to their former homes, and the immigration of some 12,000 people who monthly moved to new countries was being aided.