CONFIDENTIAL
WINTER SUPPLEMENTARY ESTIMATES: VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE
Accommodation-
Huge influx of boat people in spring and summer (9,000 in May, 9,500 in June and over 4,000 in July) imposed severe strains on Hong Kong's capacity to accommodate new arrivals.
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As Committee saw for themselves in April, many had to be put into temporary acommodation, including ferries and tents, whilst new purpose-built accommodation was being constructed.
Hong Kong authorities are doing all they possibly can to cope under very difficult circumstances. HKG are spending £60 million in
current financial year on this problem.
- In response to this critical situation, have also stepped up our
efforts to help.
Since beginning of year, we have pledged or contributed some £17 million for emergency accommodation and other costs associated with boat people problem, including the £4.5 million for emergency accommodation, for which provision has been made in Winter Supplementary Estimate.
- This money was used to pay for hire of ferries, supply of tents and construction of accommodation at Sek Kong, High Island and
Whitehead camps.
- We are currently considering request from HKG for further funds needed to make improvements to emergency accommodation under construction, so as to ensure that it is secure and able to
withstand secere weather conditions.
BATABO
CONFIDENTIAL