CONFIDENTIAL
11. PHILIPPINE REFUGEE PROCESSING CENTRE (PRPC)
UNHCR reported on the result of a feasibility study into a Refugee Processing Centre in the Philippines (PRPC) to the Steering Committee (SC3) on 16/17 October. This provided both for the extension of existing facilities as well as an additional Centre. Capacity for 16-20,000 people could be built in one year at a cost of US$17m. Extension of existing facilities would allow reception of 2,000 people in December/January, 1,000 people in February/March and 3,000 in the period April to July.
-
It was felt by some that project set out in feasibility study was probably too elaborate, too expensive, and would take too long to build to be of any real use.
-
Little progress has been made in Manila since then, despite UNHCR optimism that the Philippines will shortly approve the project.
ASEAN condition that Vietnam should establish parallel centre for the screened out not yet dropped.
Japanese interest (and likelihood of financial support) now cooling.
At SC3 the US suggested that the construction schedule be accelerated. They saw the Centre as an important contribution to easing the pressure in Hong Kong. Little sign of interest since
then.
Value of RCP to Hong Kong is diminishing as the resettlement programme gathers momentum. But a rapid extension of existing facilities which would allow reception of 2/3,000 refugees from Hong Kong in next two months would be helpful.
Could £5 million HMG pledged at ICIR in Geneva in June be more usefully spent eg Reception Centres in Vietnam?
AG5AIH