TNAG-0893-FCO40-1103-Refugees-from-Vietnam-in-Hong-Kong-Vietnamese-boat-people-1979 — Page 59

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THE PRESENT SITUATION

Land Cases: Thailand

7.

Since 1975 over 245,500 persons arriving by land from Kampuchea, Laos and Viet Nam have been given temporary asylum in Thailand. At 30 June 1979, 81,500 of these had been resettled, and 16,500 Kampucheans, 146,000 Lao and 1,500 Vietnamese remained in Thailand. These persons are supported by UNHCR, which has spent US$33 million for this purpose over the last four years. addition, the World Food Programme (WFP) has provided food aid worth ovor US$ 3 million.

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A further 80,000 Kampucheans entered Thailand in the first months of 1979. Some 40,000 of them were returned while the international community was engaged in seeking solutions. Some of those returned had already been accepted for resettlement. Offers of material assistance pending solutions were to no avail. Land cases in Thailand, and particularly some of the recently arrived Kampucheans, may face the prospect of refoulement.

9.

Conditions in the centres supported by UNHCR vary according to local circumstances. The continuing increase in numbers has been detrimental to all aspects of the running of the centres, including the promotion of self- sufficiency projects and education programmes.

10.

Resettlement abroad has been the only durable solution to date. Several initiatives have taken place to promote voluntary repatriation to Laos. These continue, in consultation with the Governments concerned, but have yet to yield significant results. No local settlement has so far taken place.

Land Cases: Viet Nam

11.

By mid-1978, 150,000 refugees and displaced persons had arrived in Viet Nam from Kampuchea. Stops were taken to provide emergency relief, including WFP supplies, to these persons. As a result of events in Kampuchea, the majority have repatriated, while a limited number of others continue to be resettled abroad. Some 30,000 remain in Viet Nam. Assistance towards local integration is being given.

Land Cases: China

12.

By June 1979, some 235,000 refugees and displaced persons had arrived from Viet Nam. China has indicated that UNHCR aid would be welcome to supplement the considerable efforts already undertaken and has also stated that UNHCR could make arrangements to help the resettlement of those who so wished. Applications from some 19,000 persons had been received by the Chinese authorities.