CONFIDENTIAL BE
機愛
A
Contribution from UNHCR to costs of maintaining refugees in closed camps
28.
The UNHCR has undertaken to meet the basic
Overall
care and maintenance costs of all refugees in Hong
Kong, subject to the "refugees being accommodated
whenever possible in open camps where they can be
permitted and assisted to find employment".
the UNHCR has spent about $108 million for the care
and maintenance of refugees here while the Hong Kong
Government has spent about $94 million. In 1981, it is
estimated that the following costs have been incurred by
(a) UNHCR
Open Camps $16.25 m
(b) UNHCR
Closed Camps $7.75 m
(c) HKG
Closed Camps $11.8 m
29.
The UNHCR has been approached to obtain
These
its reaction to closed camps. Its initial reaction is
favourable and the Charge de Mission has indicated that
she is prepared to recommend to her headquarters "to
share costs of care and maintenance with the Hong Kong
authorities" subject to certain conditions.
conditions are mainly concerned with the UNHCR and
authorities of resettlement countries having full
access to the refugees for resettlement purposes and
the need to have the closed camp policy reviewed
periodically to assess its effect. It is therefore
/proposed