TNAG-1181-FCO40-1483-Resettlement-of-Vietnamese-refugees-from-Hong-Kong-into-the--1982 — Page 97

CONFIDENTIAL BE

機愛

A

Contribution from UNHCR to costs of maintaining refugees in closed camps

28.

The UNHCR has undertaken to meet the basic

Overall

care and maintenance costs of all refugees in Hong

Kong, subject to the "refugees being accommodated

whenever possible in open camps where they can be

permitted and assisted to find employment".

the UNHCR has spent about $108 million for the care

and maintenance of refugees here while the Hong Kong

Government has spent about $94 million. In 1981, it is

estimated that the following costs have been incurred by

(a) UNHCR

Open Camps $16.25 m

(b) UNHCR

Closed Camps $7.75 m

(c) HKG

Closed Camps $11.8 m

29.

The UNHCR has been approached to obtain

These

its reaction to closed camps. Its initial reaction is

favourable and the Charge de Mission has indicated that

she is prepared to recommend to her headquarters "to

share costs of care and maintenance with the Hong Kong

authorities" subject to certain conditions.

conditions are mainly concerned with the UNHCR and

authorities of resettlement countries having full

access to the refugees for resettlement purposes and

the need to have the closed camp policy reviewed

periodically to assess its effect. It is therefore

/proposed