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in the scheme, the assessment team proposed that the programme be extended for at least one more year beyond June 1986. We note with satisfaction that UNHCR's proposed budget for 1986/87 takes account of the assessment team's report, particularly concerning the importance of land-based operations against suspected pirates, and personnel training for members of the Thai agencies involved.
However, we consider that unless evidence of such improvements is
available by early 1987, we should reconsider participation after
1986/87, and the UNHCR should be put on notice to this effect.
5. Two other special programmes have been introduced to help
relieve the problem:
a) the Orderly Departure Programme (ODP), established in 1979. This provides for Vietnamese who qualify for resettlement in
third countries to apply through UNHCR and the Vietnamese
Government for acceptance in the resettlement country. It is a
unique programme, and far from ideal in that it is based on
acquiescense in people being made refugees. The UK has so far accepted approximately 2,700 Vietnamese for resettlement under
ODP, from a total of 110,000.
b) the Rescue at Sea Resettlement Offers (RASRO) programme, established in May 1985. This programme is aimed at encouraging ships to pick up refugees in distress at sea rather than, as before when there was no guarantee that any country would allow
them to disembark or eventually assume responsibility for the refugees, leaving them to face the elements and the risk of
pirate attack. The scheme (along with the parallel DISERO scheme, in which the UK does not participate) provides a guarantee that all those picked up will be accepted for resettlement within 90 days. The UK accepted 88 refugees under this scheme up to June 1986 from a total of 1,580. The UK does not support the activities of the so-called "mercy ships" which put to sea specifically to pick up refugees. Their actions only
spur further departures. The UK also does not support the mooted amalgamation of RASRO with the more open-ended DISERO
scheme.
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