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HONG KONG (British Red Cross Branch)
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UNHCR reports that on 31 October, 62,630 refugees (Boat People) were in Hong Kong. The great majority of them have found work on the local market reducing their reliance on outside assistance, especially supplementary feeding.
Delegation
The British Red Cross has assigned three delegates: Mr. David Green (Administrator), Dr. Helen Brown, and Nurse Helen Bookson to strengthen their Branch Office. The S.E.A. Refugee Task Force has Mr. Ronald Elliott as League Delegate, provided by the American Red Cross, and Mr. Michel Fechtmaldijan, ICRC Tracing and Mailing Services, assisting the British Red Cross Branch Office and the Portuguese Red Cross Branch Office in Macao.
Situation
The British Red Cross Branch Office reports that the Red Cross tem- porary transit centre, Kai Tak North, now holds some 14,500 refugees. The medical centre under Red Cross administration operates with Canadian volun- teers (IRC), Auxiliary Nursing Service and some Vietnamese doctors and nurses. They are providing an excellent service and deal with an average of 140 cases daily.
Social Care
A variety of programmes are being offered by the Society such as drawing contests, films, folk shows, outings etc. The refugees are being given information and classes in hygiene and sanitation. A full programme in education and welfare activities began during the month of October.
Tracing and Mailing
An index file containing 98,000 cards has been established and is being maintained and enlarged by a local staff of 8 persons under the guidance of the ICRC Tracing Delegate. To date some 217 requests for location have been received in Hong Kong. 285 letters have been sent or received for the refugees.
Finances
Budget
SFr. 1,091,500
Accumulated expenditures
SFr.
196,510
Gifts in kind
Services
22,500
219,010
Balance
Cash forwarded by Task Force at 23.11.79
872,490 42,000
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