2
Resettlement Overseas
7.
The rate of resettlement has been falling - 37,468 in 1980, 17,818 in 1981 and 9,247 in 1982. Only 810 have been resettled so far this year (detailed statistics at Appendix B).
8.
The USA, which continues to be the main resettlement country, has severely reduced its intake since July 1982. The current intakes for other resettlement countries remain small, and with no prospect of being increased. On 1 April, there were still-12, 164 refugees awaiting resettlement overseas (i.e. This figure takes into account births and deaths amongst the refugee population: 3,448 births and 448 deaths reported since 1 January 1979). 4,704 (39%) have already spent more than 2 years here and 4,196 (34%) more than
3 years. The latest analysis of the present caseload shows that only about 5% have secured firm acceptance from resettlement countries; 84% are classified by UNHCR as "active cases" cases for which no submissions have been made or which have been submitted and rejected by at least one resettlement country.
Regional Arrivals, Departures and Populations
9.
On a regional basis, arrivals in the first two months of this year have dropped by 80% compared with the corresponding period last year. Hong Kong is thus sharing in the regional drop in having a decrease of 72%. The number resettled from Hong Kong in the first two months of this year has been only 5% of the combined total of those here on 1 January 1983 and 1983 arrivals; this is well behind that of other major countries of first asylum such as Malaysia (14%), Indonesia (16%) and the Philippines (13%).
10.
Hong Kong thus continues to have the highest boat refugee population in the region, with 12,296 (28%) out of a regional total of 43,278 as at 28 February 1983.
Regional Arrivals and Resettlement of
Boat Refugees from Vietnam
A
B
C
Refugee
Population
Arrivals
at 1 Jan 83
Jan-Feb 83 Jan-Feb 83
Resettlement Jan-Feb 83
(as % A + B)
Refugee Population 1 March 83 (as % of total)
Hong Kong
12,631
194
579 (5)
12,296 (28)
Thailand
8,374
1,180
137 (1)
9,495 (22)
Malaysia
8,440
1,460
1,388 (14)
8,545 (20)
Indonesia..
7,274
609
1,277 (16)
6,621 (15)
Philippines
3,861
33
523 (13)
3,403 (8)
Japan
1,905
59 (3)
1,853 (4)
Macau
966
Singapore
480
1
4(-)
389 (81)
974 (2)
91 (1)
TOTAL
43,931
3,477
4,356 (9)
43,278 (100)
/Accommodation