- 5
In Thailand
to join the local workforce prior to their resettlement. plans for a self-reliance programme had been discussed on several occasions and would be pursued at a suitable time.
;
lir. Bröh: Kahn (USA) expressed the hope that local settlement could be pursued more vigorously once the numbers in first asylum countries had been significantly reduced as a result of increased departures.
1
15.
Technical Constraints
The Canadian and United Kingdom delegations paid tribute to the efforts of the UNHCR staff and the co-operation received from them over a period of rapid expansion of the resettlement programme. Mr. Hill (Canada), noted that the programme's rapid expansion had revealed constraints on both the UNHCR and government sides, and referred particularly to the registration of refugees in Thailand and Indonesia, constraints however which now seemed close to being overcome.
Mr. Simmance (UNHCR - Indonesia) mentioned that UNHCR was now increasing its field staff in Indonesia and would be able to provide more detailed documentation on, for example, unaccompanied minors in future. Processing was being speeded up on Galang and Bintan islands now that nine X-ray machines had been installed (eight operational at present) and radiologists were available to operate them. Constraints on Galang, connected with the development of the necessary infrastructure, were precluding movements of refugees from the Anambas Islands to Galang as rapidly as at first envisaged.
Several delegates mentioned the problems posed by refugees being
The United unprepared for resettlement other than in the United States. States delegate asked UNHCR to provide realistic counselling to the refugees on the limitations on entry to the United States, and to urge them to apply to several countries.
16. Concluding Comments, Resettlement
J
could
In concluding the discussion on resettlement, Miss Brissimi (Chief, Counselling, Education and Resettlement, UNHCR) made suggestions on ways in
which had trebled in recent months which the resettlement operation be improved. She requested delegates present to seek their Government's co-operation in giving a minimum of one month's notice of the arrival of
UNHCR could selection missions and a clear description of their criteria. thus provide a better service to the missions and ensure that refugees received appropriate orientation toward the countries in question.
Miss Brissimi said it would be helpful if governments requiring very specific medical examinations would consider conducting these examinations in the camps.
Furthermore, congestion in transit centres could be signif- icantly reduced if receiving governments were able to permit medically-fit members of the family to precede the one undergoing treatment (and one other family member, if needed by the person on "medical hold").
To assist UNHCR field staff in the orientation of refugees, UNHCR saw a need for information material on countries of resettlement covering, inter alia, reception measures, social security and employment practices and education
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