ANNEX B
CONFIDENTIAL ##
QUARTERLY REPORT ON PASPO AND RESCUE AT SEA
(1 AUGUST 31 OCTOBER 1985)
1.
The incidence of Rescue at Sea, when measured against the total number of direct arrivals, continues to show a significant increase. The cumulative percentage of rescues stood at 14% at the end of October 1985, compared with 9% at the same time last year, and well within the 1985 "target" for rescues of 12 15%.
2. The total number of disembarkations of rescued refugees (which represents bettor than any other figure the willingness of shipmasters to assist refugees in distress) stood at 75 on 31 October 1985 compared to 52 on the same date leut year,
3. UNHCR has continued to monitor closely the connection between the variety of activities int.oduced by the High Commissioner to promote rescue (which, in the review period, included an exhibition of rescue at sea and presentation of awards to rescuing Greek shipmasters in Thessaloniki, Greece) and any possibility of creating a "pull factor". We are pleased to say that it seems no connection exists between UHHCR's attempts to increare the rescue rate and the number of people leaving Vietnam by boat. The total number of boat arrivals (including rescues) in 1984 was 15% lower than in 1983; the same total for the first ten wonths of 1985 was 13.5% lower than the corresponding period in 1984.
A.
Many of the rescues taking place during the review period were made by ships flying flags of countries not normally associated with rescue at sea activity. This "internationalisation" of the rescue effort is welcomed by UNHCR. It does, however, make heavy demands on the DISERO scheme, which at present holds a low reserve of places. There is therefore every need for member countries to renew their DISERO quotas for 1986. There is also a nged to address an important administrative failing in the schene: too few countries have delegated responsibility to their embassies in the coastal states to provide disembarkation guarantees. These guarantees must be provided at very short notice if expensive delays to shipormers are to be avoided.
5.
There would seem to be a clear link between rescue by smaller shipowners and the existence of UNICR's reimbursement scheme. Claims are usually for small amounts. The scheme is clearly appreciated by the maritime community, cooperation with the shipowners' Protection and Indemnity Clubs is excellent and to date only one claim has been rejected and two referred for further verification.
6.
Operation of the RASRO scheme has continued to make significant additional demands on the time of UNHCR staff. This is essentially because it has been necessary to intervene with several countries to request a Jecision on acceptance of a refugee or movement of the refugee from the coastal state within the time limit set for resettlement.
CONFIDENTIAL
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