E/1979/95 page 35
CHAPTER IV
ASSISTANCE ACTIVITIES IN ASIA
A. General developments
185. The problem of refugees and displaced persons in Asia assumed greater proportions during the period under review, with new and more acute situations developing, particularly in South East Asia and in Bangladesh.
186. The continuing flow of new arrivals from the Indo-Chinese peninsula, both by boats and overland, imposed serious burdens on countries of the region.
¡ioreover, the arrival in the latter months of 1978 and early in 1979, of large ships, each carrying several thousand Vietnamese, compounded the already considerable difficulties being faced in the region. The arrival of these ships posed special problems of disembarkation as well as care and maintenance.
187. During 1970 the number of arrivals of refugees and displaced persons from the Indo-Chinese peninsula, by boat and overland, totalled some 120,000 persons. In the same period, about 63,500 persons departed for resettlement elsewhere and the global figure of resettlement offers within a one year span by various countries for persons awaiting processing as of 31 March 1979, stood at 103,000.
180. The sharply increased need for humanitarian assistance in South East Asia was met under both the General Programmes and a Special Programme designed to provide for immediate requirements of care and maintenance in countries of first asylum and to promote appropriate long-term solutions, primarily through resettlement in third countries.
In making available such assistance, UNHCR worked in close co-operation with the governments concerned and with intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations.
109. In view of the urgency and increased magnitude and complexity of the refugee situation in South East Asia, the High Commissioner called a consultative meeting of interested Governments which was held in Geneva on 11-12 December 1970. The consultations noted that there could be no humane or durable solutions unless Governments of the region granted at least temporary asylum and that, for these Governments, temporary asylum depended on commitments for resettlement in third countries and the avoidance of residual problems in the area. It was recognized that continuing financial support by the widest range of Governments was required to reduce the burden on countries of first asylum, to help potential countries of resettlement and to provide for other durable solutions. The participants also considered certain guidelines which need to be followed and a variety of solutions including that of establishing a special processing centre or centres - where refugees and displaced persons could be processed for resettlement in an orderly way.
190. In pursuance of the measures discussed during the consultative meeting, the Deputy High Commissioner led a delegation, from 26 February to 19 March 1979, to a number of countries and areas in South East Asia, including Viet Nam. The major topics discussed were, inter alia, the conditions and future arrangements for the refugees and displaced persons, resettlement in third countries, concrete measures to provide an effective option for voluntary repatriation, orderly departure from Viet Nam, special processing centres and problems relating to protection.