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7. An immediate problem which needs to be resolved relates to the provision of care and maintenance. For 55,000 persons in Hong Kong, this would require an expenditure of more than US$ 20,000,000 over 12 months on food. Such a rate of expenditure for this type of assistance alone is clearly beyond the scope of UNHCR's likely resources, the level of which is subject to annual approval by its Executive Committee, which considers refugee needs throughout the world. It is the general policy of UNHCR that, when food costs are involved, the governments concerned should approach the World Food Programme. This would not be possible in the case of Hong Kong.
8. The provision of care and maintenance over an extended period of time not only entails enormous costs, but also has detrimental effects on
the attitude of refugees as they become dependent on relief. The ability to work in Hong Kong would provide a humane and effective option. Furthermore, if the refugees were given the opportunity to work on a regular basis, the cost of care and maintenance could be dramatically reduced. Already, in fact, a number of refugees in Hong Kong are working even though they receive care and maintenance. It is, therefore, suggested that a comprehensive system be
established whereby:
9.
first, UNHCR would assist in the provision of accommodation for up to 55,000 refugees;
- second, the refugees were permitted to work on a regular basis and thus
be enabled to support themselves;
third, UNHCR would provide a one-time grant for the care and maintenance of each family unit introduced. into accommodation financially supported by UNHCR, pending their employment.
Under such an arrangement, UNHCR would assume non-recurring costs for accommodation and one-time care and maintenance grants. It would be hoped that the Hong Kong Government would assume the management of the sites where the refugees are located. If deemed appropriate, this could be done with the assistance of voluntary agencies. Concurrently, the Hong Kong Government would permit the refugees to work and assume the running costs and responsibilities for managing the sites.