TNAG-0898-FCO40-1108-Refugees-from-Vietnam-in-Hong-Kong-Vietnamese-boat-people-1979 — Page 124

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With reference to your typewritten comments of 10 October:

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On 16 October 1979, the Executive Committee of the Programme of the United Nations High Commissioner's Office for Refugees approved a revised allocation of US$ 9,560,000 for Hong Kong in 1979. The approved allocation of US$ 18 million for 1980 is based on the assumption that

the number of refugees requiring care and maintenance will remain at

approximately the same level as at present. Should this number increase

in the course of the next year as a result of eigher higher influx, lower resettlement rate or change in the economic situation, the High

Commissioner has the authority to adjust the allocation within certain

limits.

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It is not customary for UNHCR to meet the management costs incurred by Governments in the running of refugee camps. Consequently, UNHCR is not in a position to meet Hong Kong Government management costs for ¡refugees. However, UNHCR is prepared to take over a fifth camp once

the increased capacity of 44,000 refugees in the present UNHCR-run camps is fully utilized.

UNHCR recognized that counselling and resettlement services should be further developed, and measures are being taken to increase substantially the personnel in these fields.

UNITED NATIONS HIGH COMMISSIONER

FOR REFUGEES (UNHCR)

GENEVA

18 October 1979