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(c) Regional Integration
UNHCR prefer this to more
distant
resettlement.
But Hong Kong's
neighbours have refugee problems of their own and would not welcome
any additional burden. Thailand, which has absorbed
has ruled out the possibility of absorbing any more.
some refugees,
(d) Increased Resettlement
We should continue to encourage other resettlement countries, both
directly and through UNHCR, to take more. But, for the reasons in
para 11 above, we shall have difficulty. There are three possible
options which might be considered:
to take more are unlikely to
(i) The UK might take a further quota.
Our efforts to persuade other countries
be effective until we can show that we are willing to take more
evidence that they are looking to the UK
ourselves.
is
There is
for a gesture. (The present SCORRI enquiry into Vietnamese refugees
addressing this question.) Clearly a prerequisite for any
successful campaign to increase off take elsewhere
admit more refugees here, preferably on a continuing quota.
is
agreement to
(ii) Training schemes
UNHCR consider that resettlement prospects would improve if refugees
acquired the skills needed to work in industrialised societies. The
Hong Kong Government have already devoted considerable attention and resources to providing training opportunities. They seek to provide
educational and vocational training, with emphasis on English, in
all the government-run refugee centres. The voluntary agencies run
similar programmes in the open centres. In the Hei Ling Chau closed
centre, which is for North Vietnamese and where as a result the
resettlement rate is lowest and potential integration problems. are
Hong Kong Government intends with UNHCR assistance to provide a special multi-purpose training centre. It will be funded
by UNHCR (total
(total cost US$40,000) and will be run by the World Relief
voluntary
should be operational by mid-1985.
greater,
purpose
the
agency.
It
prepare
Vietnamese refugees for
will be to
resettlement by teaching them basic manufacturing skills and
It s
overseas
use of
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