UNHCR 'keeps
tabs on camps'
THE United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) constantly monitors conditions for refugees in Chimawan Closed Refugee Camp, and sends periodic reports to government officials concerned.
The se
bulletins cover both the negative and positive sides of life for a refugee, said the charge de mission for UNHCR's Hongkong office, Dolores Lasan, yesterday.
UNHCR officials are present almost daily in all the refugee camps, so that problems can be noted and acted on immediately.
Mrs Lasan said that, once informed of a situation requiring remedy, the Security Branch staff would take speedy action.
Mrs Lasan's staff responsible for inspecting the day-to-day life of camp residents include a camp liaison officer, and a number of resettlement officers, who are engaged in preparing dossiers of refugees for use in processing resettlement applications.
She and her deputy also pay regular visits.
The major positive development that is reported to the govemment is the growing under- standing and acceptance of the difference between prisoners and refugees by correctional officers.
This understanding has some times been hard to achieve in the camp's day-to-day operations, it is understood.
The UNHCR reports also cover other matters such as the means available to instil discipline among the refugee population, Mrs Lasan explained.
Some of the information gleaned by UNHCR staff requires top level intervention, she added, and certain cases had been referred to the Security Branch by Mrs Lasan herself.
As with all reports forwarded, government response is efficient and the monitoring process is an ongoing one, she said.
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Enter Closed camps.
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