TNAG-0792-FCO40-996-Refugees-from-Vietnam-in-Hong-Kong-Vietnamese-boat-people-1978 — Page 65

3. Business Arising

-2-

4.

a) Minute 7a)

Membership

Lord Elton (welcomed in his absence as an individual member) and Cambodia for Christ had joined the Committee.

b) Minute 4a) Scheme for Resettlement of Laotian Refugees in Bolivia

There was further information about a scheme for the resettlement of Laotian refugees in Bolivia. Meo leaders had apparently found the area acceptable as being rather similar to their home in Laos but there were many sides to be considered before any final plans could be made.

The UN High Commissioner for Refugees was at present in Thailand and would be discussing this proposal amongst others. He had received a special

report from USA which was sceptical - but every possibility had to be examined.

THAILAND The Situation of Indo-Chinese Refugees

Y

Organisations with recent information reported as follows:-

a)

b)

Save the Children Fund The numbers in Ubon camp had increased greatly. SCF was sharing a programme with a French organisation.

YMCA

-

James Thomson (Worlds YMCA) was in Thailand in June and had reported urgent need for funds for the educational work (to appoint more teachers) and for additional medical work including for local Thai people.

c) Project Vietnam Orphans had started work in Surin with a team of two nurses.

Daily milk was being distributed in the camp and in two Thai schools, also supplementary nutrition to the undernourished. A man was being sought to

develop self-help projects.

d) Christian Aid

*

Michael Hawkes would be going to Thailand in October to see the work of the Church of Christ in Nhon Khai,

e) Gordon Barclay Fund

i)

ii)

Dr. Barclay spoke about his visit in May and June to:-

Singapore where he saw no refugees but talked to a number of people working with them. The general attitude seemed harsh and some boats had been turned away.

In some camps, especially those for Vietnamese bost people, facilities and conditions were almost deliberately unatrractive for fear of encouraging more refugees by any open door policy. They still arrived daily in spite of natural hazards as well as human.

Malaysia (Camps are on Islands)

Mersing Camp - about 3000 refugees well run, with electricity, classes, doctors, etc., with help from UNHCR, Lions, Red Crescent, etc. Boats were still arriving daily but Australia, USA and France were accepting and resettling more quickly. No refugees remained in the camps from before November 1977. The average stay was three months.

Trengannu Camp (not visited) about 6000 refugees mostly Vietnamese and Chinese-Vietnamese. Reports showed not so happy but improved; problems with individual refugees and between two groups of police. Catholics worked here. There was a plan to move this camp to an island 21 hours away, which would cause great difficulties in monsoon season.

The Gordon Barclay Fund was anning to supply books, play materials, etc. to these camps in Malaysia.