CLOSED CAMP CONDITIONS
RESTRICTED
14. Hong Kong Government makes every effort to meet needs of
refugees for shelter, food, medical treatment, clothing, education,
welfare and recreational facilities. In particular, they are
devoting considerable attention and
and resources to improving educational and training opportunities. They seek to provide educational and vocational training, with emphasis on English, in
all government-run centres. Voluntary agencies run similar
in open centres.
programmes
ao. In Hei Ling Chau closed centre, for North Vietnamese and
where resettlement rate is therefore lowest and potential
integration problems greater, Hong Kong Government intends with
United Nationals High Commissioner for Refugees assistance to
provide special multi-purpose training centre. To be funded by
United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (total cost US$40,000)
an d
run by World Relief voluntary agency. Should be operational by mid-year. Purpose will be to prepare Vietnamese refugees for
overseas resettlement by teaching basic manufacturing skills and use
of simple machinery.
24. It would be appropriate at this stage for me to pay tribute to
Hong Kong Government and people for what they have done to help
Vietnamese refugees. They have provided temporary asylum for over
100,000 refugees. In addition, have absorbed over 14,000
themselves. They have turned none away. A remarkable humanitarian
achievement for such a small and densely crowded territory.