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There was detailed discussion about the needs of this camp which could best be helped by Ockenden and other organisations in support of an active programme be carried out by YMCA through Drs. Mr. and Mrs. Maddox, volunteers from UK and Australia and some Thais.
Miss Pearce had suggested working towards some vocational bias for the educational programme, particularly with an agricultural slant; encouragement of the handicrafts by supplying good materials and help with marketing; and later setting up playgroups and the provision of a midwife, at first an "expatriate", to help training in child care. As far as possible the projects should also be available for local Thai children and young people,
Ubon Camp
G
Miss Pearce was very impressed with the work of the SCF team, to whom thanks were due for their help and hospitality.
Here again the feeling of hopelessness was sensed and conditions were more like the typical refugee camp. However, the handicrafts schemes helped by the YWCA were very active but again support was needed with supplies of material and encouragement of marketing in the West.
Chantapuri
The Boat People
David Jamieson, working for UNHCR, had been very helpful in providing information and entertainment. A boat had just arrived at the shore but the "camp" was so full, the refugees could not land and had to stay on board until the regulations were observed.
Miss Pearce interviewed 57 people wishing to come to the UK. expected shortly.
The Philippines
54 of these were
Ockenden had already been helping with common law wives from Vietnam by sponsoring some of the children. Some of these were chosen by the Catholic Sisters from those being cared for at their Centre. Some were living at the Home for Destitute Children being run by the Asian Student Christian Association. Others were living with their mothers; Miss Pearce's group visited some housed in very poor conditions.
The Refugee Camp in Manila was in a dilapidated building, formerly a mental hospital, in a very poor "squatter" area. The UNHCR was supporting the displaced persons
nearly 400
but was anxious to move them as soon as possible.
There were some unaccompanied children in the group Ockenden had offered to settle in England.
In discussion after Miss Pearce's report, the following points were made:-
a) Work for Thai population
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SCF was setting up centre for Thai children only. ODM was helping the se schemes
Oxfam had been requested by the Thai Government to set up schemes to benefit Thais as well as displaced persons.
b) Miss Pearce urged that as political tensions increased where people were dissatisfied, every effort being made to help refugees on the spot should also include the local people. Attempts should be made to spread this idea to the whole developed world helping displaced persons that aid must be extended to all those
in need.
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