TNAG-1274-FCO40-1624-Vietnamese-refugees-in-Hong-Kong-1983 — Page 367

Multipurpose assistance

825. Obligations amounting to $3,779,341 were made in 1982 against the appropriation for supplementary aid for the care and maintenance of refugees in Hong Kong, including an amount of $3,461 from the overall allocation for supplementary aid. Heaviest expenditure was incurred for the care and maintenance of refugees accommodated in the "closed" centres, who rely entirely upon distributions of food and other essential items, since they have no access to temporary local employment. An amount of $1,417,519 was obligated for their benefit in 1982, mostly for food supplies. In addition, $421,032 were obligated for residents of the Government-run Argyle IV Transit Centre, attending a three month intensive English language course prior to departure. Though accommodating a larger number of refugees, Kaitak centre required 'per capita' assistance on a lesser scale, in view of the self-reliance attained by refugees there through employment. An amount of $852,373 was obligated in 1982, mainly for food packs for new arrivals and costs such as electricity

and water. Similar assistance was provided as from June to refugees admitted to the Jubilee centre, for which an amount of $ 445,100 was obligated, while care and maintenance in an amount of $ 240,000 was provided to those for whom departure was imminent and who had been transferred for this purpose to

Govenment-run centres.

826. Measures were taken to encourage the employment of refugees at both Kaitak and Jubilee centres through a project implemented by the Agency for Valuntary Service (AVS), for which $ 64,214 were obligated. This project suffered a setback in mid-1982, when the unemployment rate among the refugees rose sharply, due to reduced work opportunities in hong kong. The number of needy cases qualifying for UNHCR-funded food allowances rose from five to twelve per cent of the population accommodated in "open" centres by early September 1982. Following an intensive employment drive and the introduction of basic Cantonese lessons in the Jubilee centre, there was an improvement in the situation, and by the end of 1982 the rate had decreased to nine per cent. Medical needs were met through obligations of $293,642 and $ 42,000 covering expenditure at the Kaitak Medical Centre and the treatment of refugees referred to hong Kong hospitals. Some 24,000 cases were treated at the kaitak Medical Centre during the year.

827.

These various projects providing temporary assistance to refugees in Hong Kong are included in a multipurpose assistance programme spanning the current year, for which an appropriation of $3,600,000 was approved. This amount has been supplemented by $ 300,000 from the Programme Reserve, to meet increased needs with respect to medical services and care and maintenance in the Government-administered centres. In view of the stagnating rate of departure, efforts have continued to increase self-reliance among refugees through measures to promote short-term employment (for those at Kaitak and Jubilee) and fuller participation in their own care and maintenance costs. Simultaneous efforts are being made to strengthen social support services, notably education. Late in 1982, plans were drawn up for the full-time education of all children up to the age of 15 at kaitak centre. The new school was opened in February 1983, with a potential capacity of 1,000. Crèche and kindergarten facilities were also expanded in co-operation between UNHCR and voluntary agencies. working refugees are required to pay school fees for their