-4-
Rev. Patrick Ashe described recent developments in the work of Project Vietnam Orphans in Aranyaprathet Cap which Lord Elton had visited. Help had been given
milk and to the refugees in the digging of wells and their lining with concrete; extra protein was being distributed daily to 2000 refugees and to some Thai children from surrounding villages; encouragement was being given to handicrafts schemes and workshops where training for self-help projects were being carried out.
Mr. Ashe had been present at a Seminar in Bangkok on 22nd September organised by the Government in conjunction with the Coordinating Committee and attended by repre- sentatives of the voluntary agencies. A Minister had announced that, in principle, the Thai Government would permit some refugees to remain but only after every possi- bility of resettlement elsewhere had been explored.
Mrs. Gordon Barclay referred to disturbing reports about Indo-Chinese refugees mostly Vietnamese, in Malaysia. The situation was uncertain as the Malay Government wanted to keep good relations with Vietnam. At first the refugees had been kept on the boats but now camps were being organised on the islands.
There was need for help for children. The Gordon Barclay Fund was trying to pro- vide English textbooks, dictionaries, etc. and would welcome help from other agencies. A Quaker worker, Anne Needham, would be able to give more information. The Malaysian Red Crescent was undertaking an extensive programme of relief for the refugees.
The Secretary agreed to find out more about the resettlement of Indo-Chinese in Japan, which had accepted 600. The Japanese Embassy in London had asked some of the voluntary agencies how they arranged reception and resettlement in the United Kingdom. It had been hoped to arrange a meeting to discuss this.
Miss Pearce reported on the situation of some 100 Indo-Chinese accepted by the United Kingdom some in two centres in London under the charge of the British Council for Aid to Refugees and some in Birmingham and Barmouth in the care of the Ockenden Venture.
6. TIBETAN REFUGEES IN NEPAL
The Secretary agreed
settlement in Nepal.
circulate a brief report on her recent visit to Tibetan
7.
ANY OTHER BUSINESS
Ŏ.
Miss Pearce proposed and it was unanimously agreed to record the warm thanks of the Committee to the Chairman for his work for the Committee over the last three years and the help he had given to the voluntary organisations and the refugee cause.
DATE OF NEXT MEET ING
To be left to the call of the Secretary.
o January 1978