TNAG-0892-FCO40-1102-Refugees-from-Vietnam-in-Hong-Kong-Vietnamese-boat-people-1979 — Page 179

Thailand

225. Thailand continued to receive large numbers of refugees and displaced persons from the Indo-Chinese peninsula. Although, since 1975, more than 77,000 persons left Thailand for permanent resettlement in third countries, the number of displaced persons in camps had increased by the end of 1978 to about 139,000 as compared to 97,600 at the end of the preceding year. Of these, 119,170 were from the Lao People's Democratic Republic, 14,782 from Democratic Kampuchea, and 4,767 from Viet Nam.

226. During the year under review, 41,890 Indo-Chinese refugees and displaced persons arrived in Thailand, including 7,090 by boat. Moreover, some 25,000 persons who had entered the country earlier vore moved into camps.

227. With 67,429 new registrations in camps during 1970, the principle objective of UNHCR's assistance programme in Thailand continued to be aimed at ensuring the provision of care and maintenance for the existing caseload, meeting the immediate needs of new arrivals and sustaining efforts to facilitate and promote the resettlement of those wishing to emigrate to third countries, while also encouraging projects for self-sufficiency where feasible.

220. The assistance programme for care and maintenance was implemented by the Operations Centre for Displaced Persons at the Ministry of Interior and the Thai Red Cross Society, in close co-operation with the UNHCR Regional Office in Bankok. The assistance provided included food items, the repair and improvement of shelter and medical supplies, as well as clothing, blankets, mosquito nets and other basic equipment. ITP continued to provide indispensable support and, at the end of the year, approved a further programme for emergency assistance.

229. During the visit of the High Commissioner to Thailand in September, it was agreed with the Thai Government to elaborate a pilot project for a self-sufficiency programme to benefit the refugees and displaced persons and the Thai rural population. It was further agreed that the High Commissioner would continue to explore the prospects for voluntary repatriation to countries of origin. persons have repatriated to the Lao People's Democratic Republic.

A few

230. In 1978, the Thai Ministry of Education began the implementation of a comprehensive programme relating to primary education, adult literacy and vocational training. This programme, together with the continuing input of voluntary agencies in the educational field, has already had a positive effect on morale in the camps. It is expected that some 20,000 persons will benefit from this education programme in 1979.

231. In the field of self-reliance, small projects such as gardening, animal husbandry and cottage industries were implemented. Results, however, were limited, mainly due to the lack of suitable space. Progress may be expected in 1979, especially in the smaller camps and those with a stable number of inhabitants.

232. Assistance provided by voluntary agencies continued to play an important role, notably in the fields of health care, education and self-reliance. Several of these agencies, in co-operation with the ICRC, also provided vital emergency assistance to new arrivals prior to their acceptance into the camps.