Update on Regional Developments in Asia and the Pacific

EC/47/SC/CRP.44

UPDATE ON REGIONAL DEVELOPMENTS IN ASIA AND THE PACIFIC

1. This document is divided into three parts; Part I provides a regional overview, Part II describes Regional Special Programmes, and Part III provides information on an individual country basis. Relevant budget and post tables, as well as maps, are included as annexes to this document.

I. REGIONAL OVERVIEW

A. Populations of concern to UNHCR in the region

2. As of 1 January 1997, some 1.5 million persons were of concern to UNHCR in the area covered by the Bureau for Asia and the Pacific, representing no significant overall variation from the previous year. This population comprised 905,000 refugees and asylum-seekers, 406,000 returnees and 229,000 internally displaced persons.

3. Of the refugees, the largest caseloads were in China (290,100), India (268,400), Nepal (126,800), Thailand (108,000) and Bangladesh (30,700). The largest assisted returnee caseloads were in Myanmar (219,300), Viet Nam (105,600) and Sri Lanka (54,000).

B. Major regional developments

1. The Comprehensive Plan of Action for Indo-Chinese Refugees

4. At its seventh and final meeting in Geneva on 5 and 6 March 1996, the Steering Committee of the International Conference on Indo-Chinese refugees confirmed that the Comprehensive Plan of Action for Indo-Chinese Refugees (CPA) should formally come to an end as of 30 June 1996. Beyond that date, and subject to the availability of funding, UNHCR continued to support repatriation or alternative solutions for the residual Vietnamese non-refugee populations in the Association of South-East Asian Nations (ASEAN) first asylum countries.

5. Between 1989 and the end of June 1997, some 112,000 asylum seekers from Viet Nam and the Lao People's Democratic Republic had been provided refuge under the CPA. The CPA facilitated the resettlement of over 74,000 Vietnamese refugees and supported the repatriation to their country of origin of some 110,000 Vietnamese who did not fulfil internationally recognized refugee criteria. The CPA also facilitated the resettlement of some 54,000 Lao prima facie refugees and supported the voluntary repatriation of nearly 24,000 Lao from Thailand to their country of origin.

6. By end-June 1997, virtually all Vietnamese non-refugees in the region had repatriated to their country of origin, with the exception some 800 individuals, mostly in Hong Kong, of whom 188 were cleared for return, but remained subject to temporary medical hold and other constraints, and the balance were subject to further nationality verification. UNHCR will continue to provide reintegration assistance for returnees and monitor their well-being in Viet Nam and the Lao People's Democratic Republic through 1998.

2. Myanmar repatriation

7. While the end-1996 target for the completion of the repatriation of refugees from the Rakhine State in Myanmar has not been achieved, some 23,000 refugees repatriated voluntarily from Bangladesh to the Rakhine State during 1996. A further 9,400 returned during the first quarter of 1997, leaving 21,000 persons in two camps in Bangladesh. In July 1997, the Myanmar authorities agreed to a one month extension of repatriation to facilitate the return of a further 7,500 cleared individuals. As the possibility of voluntary repatriation is unlikely for all of those remaining, a durable solution for those with genuine reasons not to return is required.

8. Between March and June 1997, several thousand Muslim residents from the Rakhine State reportedly arrived in Bangladesh. While these arrivals are consistent with seasonal labour migration patterns, there are also reports of food shortages and high basic commodity prices, as well as allegations of restrictive measures imposed by local authorities, which may influence the movement of rural populations. UNHCR continues to sponsor income-generation and other self-reliance assistance measures aimed at stabilizing economically vulnerable communities within the Rakhine State which include returnees. UNHCR field staff monitor the well-being of returnees and facilitate mutual understanding with local authorities.

3. Sri Lanka operation

9. Since April 1995, there have been no voluntary repatriation movements of Sri Lankan Tamils from India due to the breakdown of peace talks and the resumption of the conflict between the Sri Lankan military and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE). As of the end of 1996, the Government reported that nearly 800,000 persons were internally displaced in northern Sri Lanka, of whom some 200,000, including earlier returnees from India, had benefited from UNHCR sponsored micro-projects. During 1996, over 8,000 earlier returnees from India, as well as some 18,000 internally displaced persons, were provided shelter and relief assistance in the Open Relief Centres and other sites assisted by UNHCR. Following an escalation of military operations in February 1997, a further 20,000 internally displaced persons were assisted at these locations. As at 30 April 1997, a total of 63,068 Sri Lankan refugees were living in 133 camps across Tamil Nadu, India, including some 8,000 new arrivals since mid-1996.

10. In early 1997, UNHCR undertook a review of its operational policies and strategic objectives in Sri Lanka. It was subsequently determined that the assistance programme should be reoriented to focus on the reintegration needs of displaced persons returning to their areas of origin, mainly in Jaffna, and on the reinforcement of governmental, community, and local NGO capacities to support large numbers of returning internally displaced persons.

4. Bhutanese refugees in Nepal

11. There have been no significant developments regarding the situation of some 92,000 Bhutanese refugees in camps in Nepal. UNHCR has reiterated its readiness to support the Governments of Bhutan and Nepal to achieve durable solutions for this population.

5. Advocacy, promotion, awareness and information sharing

12. On 28 and 29 November 1996, the Government of Australia and UNHCR co-hosted a Conference on Regional Approaches to Refugees and Displaced Persons in Asia and the Pacific, which was attended by representatives of 24 countries. A follow-up Experts Meeting, co-hosted by the Government of Thailand and UNHCR in Bangkok, was convened in partnership with the International Organization for Migration (IOM) on 23 and 24 July 1997. This informal forum explored the nature, causes and consequences of population movements in the regional context, and considered the nature of information needed and mechanisms for information sharing between participating States. The meeting agreed to continue the informal consultations and also agreed on the establishment of a focal point to promote further dialogue and contact between sessions.

13. From 11 to 13 December 1996, the African-Asian Legal Consultative Committee (AALCC)/UNHCR Commemorative Seminar on Refugees was convened in Manila, Philippines, and was attended by representatives of 22 Governments from Asia, Africa and the Middle East. The seminar focused on the 1966 AALCC "Bangkok Principles", with a view to their being updated in light of experiences during the past 30 years. The issues of the refugee definition, asylum, solutions and burden-sharing, which were raised in Manila, were further considered at the 36th annual session of the AALCC, held in Teheran, Islamic Republic of Iran, in May 1997. One of the resolutions adopted at the session requested the Secretary-General of the AALCC to convene in 1997, as appropriate, a meeting of experts to further examine the recommendations and to report to the 37th session of the Committee.

14. Following the third informal Consultations on Refugee and Migratory Movements in South Asia held in New Delhi, India, on 14 and 15 November 1996, the fourth gathering is scheduled to be held in Dhaka, Bangladesh, on 19 and 20 September 1997. This consultative process was launched in 1994 with the objective of developing an informal non-governmental regional forum in which eminent persons from South Asian countries could consider issues relating to migration and population displacement in the region. The Consultations continue to study and discuss the principles related to the status and treatment of refugees within a regional framework.

C. Programme expenditures and budgets

15. Total programme expenditure in the region for 1996 amounted to $ 83.9 million, comprising $ 33.8 million under General Programmes and $ 50.1 million under Special Programmes. The current 1997 requirements, as at 31 May 1997, amount to $ 74.6, compared with the initial 1997 estimate of $ 52.2 million (see Annex I). While current 1997 requirements under General Programmes of $ 32.7 million are in line with the initial 1997 estimate of $ 33.4 million, current 1997 requirements under Special Programmes of $ 41.9 million are significantly higher than the initial 1997 estimate of $ 18.8 million. This increase is largely due to the prolongation of the CPA in Hong Kong and an increase in returnee reintegration assistance in Viet Nam consistent with the delayed incidence of repatriation from Hong Kong; the protraction of repatriation movements from Bangladesh to Myanmar and from Thailand to the Lao People's Democratic Republic, resulting in the extension of repatriation-related and returnee reintegration assistance; and the augmentation of assistance to returnee communities in Myanmar and to internally displaced persons in Sri Lanka under renewed appeals. Initial 1998 requirements for the region amount to $ 41.3 million, comprising $ 25.1 million under General Programmes and $ 16.2 million under Special Programmes.

D. Post situation

16. The revised 1997 staffing requirements (see Annex II) for the region as of 1 January 1997 of 382.6 work years (409 posts) compared with 450.4 work years (466 posts) for the previous year, reflect a reduction in field staffing levels through the consolidation of UNHCR's regional structure consistent with the reduction in post-CPA operations and an evolving substantive focus on solutions and prevention, advocacy, promotion and awareness, and information sharing. The consolidated regional structure is centred around six Regional Offices/Chief of Mission in New Delhi, Bangkok, Jakarta, Beijing, Tokyo, and Canberra. The Bureau structure at Headquarters has also been downsized through the consolidation of two Desks/Units into one covering East Asia and the Pacific. Staffing requirements for 1998 of 335 work years (348 posts), reflect further significant reductions from 1997 levels due to anticipated reductions in operations mainly in Bangladesh, Thailand, Viet Nam, Hong Kong and the closure of the UNHCR Liaison Office in Cambodia.

II. REGIONAL SPECIAL PROGRAMMES

1. Comprehensive Plan of Action

17. Following the formal completion of the CPA on 30 June 1996, UNHCR continued to provide, on a good offices basis, repatriation support and care and maintenance assistance to Vietnamese non-refugees, pending their return to Viet Nam. Definitive progress has since been achieved towards the repatriation of the residual non-refugee caseloads in Hong Kong and ASEAN countries of first asylum, with the exception of the Philippines. By 30 June 1997, the overall population of 24,000 Vietnamese non-refugees as at 30 June 1996 had been repatriated to their country of origin, with the exception of some 800 individuals, mostly in Hong Kong, of whom 188, although cleared for return, remained subject to temporary medical hold or other constraints, and the balance were subject to further nationality verification. Some 1,650 Vietnamese non-refugees in the Philippines, for whom the possibility of repatriation did not exist upon the completion of the CPA, were permitted to remain in the Philippines. UNHCR contributed on a one-time basis to repatriation and other solutions for this population.

18. The population of Lao prima facie refugees in Ban Napho camp in Thailand was reduced significantly during the reporting period by the resettlement of 3,251 individuals, resulting in a residual caseload of 1,513 persons as of 30 June 1997. Repatriation, however, was negligible. Following tripartite consultations between UNHCR and the concerned Governments in March 1997, it was agreed that a status review of the residual camp population would be undertaken, with a view to the repatriation, in the second half of 1997, of individuals who no longer met internationally accepted refugee criteria.

19. UNHCR will continue to support reintegration assistance for returnees and monitor their well-being in both Viet Nam and the Lao People's Democratic Republic.

2. Myanmar Repatriation

(a) Beneficiaries

20. As at 1 January 1997, there were 219,300 returnees being assisted by UNHCR in Myanmar. Of the total caseload, 49 per cent are male and 51 per cent are female. Children under 18 years of age make up 60 per cent of the caseload.

(b) Recent developments and objectives

21. The voluntary repatriation of the Muslim residents of the Rakhine State in Myanmar from the camps in Bangladesh was not completed in 1996 as planned, mainly due to clearance constraints. More than 23,000 persons, however, returned under UNHCR auspices during 1996. Between 1 January and the end of March 1997, 9,400 persons returned voluntarily from Bangladesh. UNHCR has unrestricted access to all returnees in the Rakhine State. Following a bilateral agreement in early 1997, the Myanmar authorities declared the repatriation over at the end of March 1997, leaving some 21,000 persons in two camps in Bangladesh. A one-month resumption of the repatriation was agreed to in mid-July 1997, to enable the voluntary return of the 7,500 persons already cleared by the Myanmar authorities. A mutually acceptable solution will need to be found for those with genuine reasons not to return.

22. The seasonal departure from Myanmar to Bangladesh continued, with several thousand villagers reportedly having left Myanmar during the second quarter of 1997 for Bangladesh. The exact cause is not known, as no significant changes in the area of returnee operations could be observed. Field reports indicate, however, that the main reason is poverty, resulting from a lack of income-generating activities, seasonally high rice prices and restrictive measures imposed by local authorities.

23. Since its commencement in mid-1994, UNHCR's small scale projects programme has sought to alleviate some of the factors which are influencing departures, as well as to monitor the well-being of returnees in their villages of origin, through a widespread and ongoing field presence. The programme's initial focus was on strengthening community services and local infrastructure to reduce the added strain placed by returnees on their communities. UNHCR and its implementing partners completed over 2,300 projects in 200 villages in the townships of Maungdaw, Buthidaung and Rathidaung, which together are receiving more than 98 per cent of returnee families. Projects provided income-earning opportunities to the poorest members of communities; increased and improved educational and health services through infrastructure improvements and training; increased quantity and quality of water sources and sanitation facilities; improved transport networks linking villages and markets; and provided direct assistance to especially vulnerable families.

24. It is planned to complete the movement phase during 1997. The 1998 programme will focus on the continuation of the implementation of the small-scale reintegration projects in the Rakhine State. The objective is to improve and stabilize the situation of returnees and their host communities. Small-scale projects are a most effective bridge between short-term reintegration and longer-term development needs. Geographical Information Systems (GIS) and Global Positioning Systems (GPS) are being used for systematic project planning and effective monitoring of the returnees in the area of operation, specifically identifying agricultural land with irrigation potential for double cropping.

25. UNHCR is soliciting support from the international community to provide bilateral and/or multilateral funding for the implementation of development projects to ensure the continuation and longer-term sustainability of UNHCR's micro-project assistance. Priority areas are in the sectors of agriculture, income-generation, health, education, water and sanitation, and community services. In this context, consultations are in progress amongst United Nations agencies present in Myanmar to prepare a post-UNHCR longer-term regional development programme for the Rakhine State.

(c) Implementing partners/arrangements

26. The Immigration and Manpower Department (IMPD) of the Ministry for Immigration and Population continues to be UNHCR's governmental implementing partner for the overall programme. IMPD implements reintegration projects through the use of Village Development Committees in the sectors of health, education, community development and infrastructure.

27. Other implementing partners include the Myanmar Red Cross Society (MRCS), with support from the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) for assistance to vulnerable groups; Bridge Asia-Japan (BAJ), which provides mechanical support to the entire operation, as well as vocational training; Action Contre la Faim (ACF), which manages a water supply, sanitation and family food production programme; Groupe de Recherche et d'Echanges Technologiques (GRET), which implements a micro-credit scheme; and CARE, which runs a reafforestation programme.

28. Implementing arrangements include cooperation with UNICEF and WHO, in addition to locally created committees for health and education. Some 1,700 metric tonnes of basic food supplies will be made available by WFP in 1997 for the implementation of the food-for-work schemes, providing numerous employment opportunities in the implementation of mainly small-scale access road construction and repair, pond digging, reafforestation and land preparation projects.

(d) Budget

29. The delay in the completion of the movement phase has necessitated the continuation of care and maintenance assistance activities in Bangladesh. In the Rakhine State of Myanmar, the gradual increase in local implementing capacity for activities related to the stabilization of the Muslim population will facilitate an expansion of the programme through 1998, in accordance with the third joint WFP/UNHCR funding appeal for 1997 and 1998, amounting to $ 22.1 million ($ 17.3 million for UNHCR and $ 4.8 million for WFP programmes respectively), which was issued in December 1996.

(e) Post situation

30. As of 1 January 1997, there were 62 (including 16 international) posts in Myanmar, of which 42 are based in Maungdaw and Buthidaung. In addition, six international and six local sector specialists in the fields of agriculture, income-generation, health, education, community social services and rural infrastructure, assist in the implementation of the stabilization programme.

(f) Implementation of policy priorities (women, children, environment)

31. The small-scale projects programme is promoting the role of women in the community through their involvement in project formulation processes and through targeted activities in education, health, vocational training and income-generation projects for female-headed households. Literacy training has been provided to 11,000 persons, comprising 25 per cent women and 75 per cent returnee children, to permit their eligibility for enrolment at regular state primary schools. WFP encourages girls to attend school under a food-for-education programme.

(g) Oversight reports

32. The report of the July 1996 inspection mission to Bangladesh and Myanmar made comprehensive recommendations for the restructuring of UNHCR's operations in these two countries. The recommendations, complemented by the Bureau's in-depth review of policy and structural issues, led to a shift in strategic focus from the country of asylum to the country of origin, in line with the return movement of the caseload. The result has been a substantial downsizing of UNHCR's presence in Bangladesh, and an upgrading of the presence in Myanmar. Consistent with the "situation" approach, the Chief of Mission in Yangon has been appointed as the overall repatriation coordinator for the two countries. The restructuring of the Desk at Headquarters was also implemented accordingly. With regard to the Operation itself, a thorough review was conducted which aimed at the enhancement of protection monitoring, both in the camps in Bangladesh and in the areas of return, as well as the expansion and reinforcement of efforts to address the acute poverty of the population in areas of return, in order to help stabilize returnee populations.

3. Sri Lanka Operation

(a) Beneficiaries

33. As at 1 January 1997, 20,429 internally displaced persons were accommodated in Open Relief Centres and/or other UNHCR-assisted facilities in northern Sri Lanka. The Government reported that some 795,500 persons (mostly internally displaced persons) were assisted by the Government in northern Sri Lanka. Of this displaced population, approximately 200,000 persons benefited from UNHCR-funded micro-projects implemented in northern Sri Lanka.

(b) Recent developments and objectives

34. During recent years, and particularly since the breakdown of the peace talks between the Government of Sri Lanka and LTTE in April 1995, which led to the resumption of armed conflict, the situation in northern Sri Lanka has rapidly evolved, resulting in increasing numbers of internally displaced persons, including returnees from India, within and between the Jaffna Peninsula and the Vanni region. No voluntary repatriation from India has taken place since March 1995. A new outflow of persons to India began in mid-1996 and, between July 1996 and June 1997, over 9,000 persons arrived in Tamil Nadu, India. As the conflict shifted from the Jaffna Peninsula to the Vanni region in mid-1996, however, large numbers of internally displaced persons began to return to their places of origin in Jaffna, either with government assistance or on their own. In the course of the evolving conflict, the UNHCR field office, which had been opened in January 1996 in Kilinochchi, was moved to Mallavi due to the deteriorating security situation in the Kilinochchi area, while the field office in Jaffna, which had been relocated to Point Pedro, was reopened in January 1997.

35. Under such volatile circumstances and in the absence of any voluntary repatriation from India since March 1995, UNHCR, in early 1997, undertook to reorient its programme in order to better focus on durable solutions, through assistance to internally displaced persons returning to their places of origin, mainly to Jaffna, and on the reinforcement of governmental, community, and local NGO capacities to support large numbers of returning internally displaced persons. Increased coordination with United Nations agencies and the ICRC is an integral part of this new approach.

(c) Implementing partners/arrangements

36. The Resettlement and Rehabilitation Authority of the North (RRAN) is the government institution which coordinates and defines with UNHCR the parameters of assistance provided to beneficiaries in the north. The REPPIA/MSPRR (Rehabilitation of Persons, Properties and Industries Authority/Ministry of Shipping, Ports, Rehabilitation and Reconstruction) is UNHCR's counterpart for the internally displaced person programme in Puttalam and Anuradhapura. Implementation of the programme is largely the responsibility of Government Agents, who are responsible for providing leadership and coordinating assistance activities, including the maintenance and management of reception/transit facilities, needs assessments, distribution of relief supplies/commodities, as well as overseeing the micro-project programme.

37. The following 10 national and international NGOs are implementing the UNHCR-funded programme during 1997: Médecins sans Frontières (MSF) (France), MSF (Holland), Sri Lanka Red Cross Society, Social and Economic Development Centre, Rural Development Foundation, Sewa Lanka Foundation, Lanka Jatika Sarvodaya Shramadana Sangamaya, CARE International, Campaign for Development and Solidarity, and Refugee Care Netherlands.

(d) Budget

38. Contributions received subsequent to the issuance of the 1996 Appeal amounted to $ 8.2 million. Including the 1995-1996 carry-over, a total of $ 10.8 million was available for the Special Programme in Sri Lanka for 1996. Due to the escalation of the conflict in northern Sri Lanka during 1996, there were significant disruptions and delays in the implementation of the programme throughout the year, resulting in low expenditure rates. Consequently, the 1996-1997 carry-over was sufficient to cover the implementation of the programme for the first half of 1997. An Appeal for UNHCR's Special Programme in Sri Lanka for the period from July 1997 to December 1998, seeking an amount of $ 12.9 million from the international donor community, is currently envisaged.

(e) Post situation

39. The staffing level in Sri Lanka was reviewed in April 1997, to permit a relative strengthening of UNHCR's international staff in the field for the effective implementation of the programme. Two international and four local posts were created, and one local post was discontinued, giving a total of 65 posts (14 international and 51 local) in Sri Lanka as of 1 January 1998, as compared to 60 posts as at 1 January 1997.

40. The Special Programme in Sri Lanka also covers the staff costs for UNHCR's office in Chennai (Madras) in India, whose role will be to continue ensuring the voluntary character of repatriation of Sri Lankan Tamil refugees when return movements resume and, at this stage, to support the Office of the Chief of Mission in New Delhi in undertaking activities with respect to the promotion and dissemination of refugee law in India. The current staffing level of this office stands at two international and four local posts. As of January 1998, it is planned that one of the two existing international posts will be discontinued. To maintain a minimum structure and enhance dialogue and contacts at the local level, one post at the National Officer level will be redeployed from New Delhi.

(f) Implementation of policy priorities (women, children, environment)

41. Issues relating to children and adolescents include under-aged military recruitment (particularly highlighted as a problem by recent inspection and evaluation missions), physical violence, dangers posed by land mines and exposure to armed conflict, destruction of educational infrastructure, and the needs of especially vulnerable groups, such as war orphans, minor-headed households and single-parent families. UNHCR aims to address such issues through increased collaboration with other United Nations agencies, the ICRC and national and international NGOs, in order to achieve more proactive protection of, and assistance to, children and adolescents.

42. In 1996, 24 micro-projects were implemented in the education sector, representing 13 per cent of all projects. Micro-project funding under this sector catered for the reconstruction and renovation of pre-school, primary and secondary schools, as well as for the provision of school furniture and teaching materials for schools in UNHCR's Open Relief Centres, in order to allow displaced children to continue schooling. Sports equipment, sewing machines and masonry and woodwork equipment have been provided to 22 schools, so that students can take part in recreational activities and learn handicrafts. A retired English teacher was recruited to conduct after-school English classes in the Pesalai Open Relief Centre for students residing there.

43. UNHCR has been in contact with the Family Rehabilitation Centre (FRC), an NGO experienced in working with torture victims, war widows and children in conflict areas, in order to look into the possibility of implementing projects in the fields of counselling and mental health for vulnerable groups. FRC will carry out assessment missions in the districts of Mannar (newly cleared areas), Vavuniya and Trincomalee, with a view to presenting micro-project proposals specifically aimed at these groups.

44. A project is planned to be implemented during 1997, under a Special Fund for Refugee Women, to undertake "action-oriented community based research", which aims at the improvement of the lives of displaced women who live in the areas directly affected by the conflict. This field-level research is expected not only to contribute to identifying and addressing the needs of women in the conflict-affected areas, but also to provide a basis for the future planning of micro-projects and other UNHCR programmes in these areas.

(g) Oversight reports

45. Information in this regard is provided under Part III of this Update, in the country review of Sri Lanka.

III. COUNTRY/AREA REVIEWS

1. Australia, New Zealand and the South Pacific

(a) Beneficiaries

46. The UNHCR Regional Office in Canberra, Australia, covers Australia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea and 12 countries in the South Pacific; namely the Cook Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, Kiribati, the Marshall Islands, Nauru, Niue, the Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu, Vanuatu and Samoa.

47. As at 1 January 1997, there were some 67,700 refugees and asylum-seekers in Australia (62,000), New Zealand (3,700) and the South Pacific (2,000). As in the past, assistance to this population was provided by the respective Governments and, in some areas, by NGOs. The asylum-seekers originate mainly from Asia, Europe and the Middle East, with a few coming from Africa and Latin America.

(b) Recent developments and objectives

48. During the reporting period, Australia received an increasing number of illegal boat arrivals. Unlike in previous years, however, the boats originated not only from China, but also from Papua New Guinea and other countries. These asylum-seekers were, in some instances, irregular movers from first asylum countries and the Government sought their readmission to their first country of asylum. During the reporting period, Australia confirmed the continuing availability of 4,000 places in favour of refugee resettlement for 1997-1998.

49. In the framework of a general streamlining of public spending, the Government of Australia has undertaken a review of its immigration and asylum-related processes, including the refugee status determination procedure, and has sought UNHCR's collaboration and advice in this respect. Despite mounting budgetary constraints, Australia's Humanitarian Aid Programme has been maintained at current levels for 1997-1998. The Government continues to contribute to the emergency response stand-by agreement with the Registered Engineers for Disaster Relief (RedR) Australia, which provides short-notice expertise in diverse engineering fields, in support of humanitarian operations.

50. The Government of New Zealand confirmed the continuing availability of 750 resettlement places for refugees and has advised that it will assume responsibility for resettlement travel costs. UNHCR's liaison presence in Auckland, New Zealand, will continue to collaborate with the New Zealand authorities on the refugee status appeals process, and support promotion and awareness activities.

51. In 1997, UNHCR initiated a modest assistance project, focusing on the needs of most vulnerable groups among Bougainvillean refugees in the Solomon Islands. UNHCR's main focus in the sub-region is on training, advocacy and promotion in order to sensitize authorities, NGOs and the public at large to the plight of refugees.

52. At the regional level, UNHCR collaborated with the Government of Australia to convene the Conference on Regional Approaches to Refugees and Displaced Persons, which was held in Canberra in November 1996. The conference, which was attended by representatives of 24 countries, confirmed a regional interest in maintaining an informal dialogue on the dynamics of population movements. A follow-up Experts Meeting, co-hosted by the Government of Thailand and UNHCR in Bangkok, was convened in partnership with IOM on 23 and 24 July 1997. This informal forum explored the nature, causes and consequences of population movements in the regional context, and considered a paper presented by the Australian Government on information sharing between participating States. The meeting agreed to continue the informal consultations and requested a proposal from the Chairman at its next meeting on the practical aspects of establishing a focal point for further dialogue and contact between sessions. The Australian Government offered to provide focal point expertise for this purpose.

(c) Implementing partners/arrangements

53. In the Solomon Islands, the Red Cross implements the assistance project on behalf of UNHCR.

(d) Budget

54. The UNHCR Regional Office in Canberra implements four modest projects covering promotional activities, as well as care and maintenance for a limited number of refugees in the region. Since July 1996, upon closure of the Liaison Office in Port Moresby, the Regional Office administers UNHCR assistance to refugees from Irian Jaya in Papua New Guinea. A small local settlement project has been established to this effect in 1997.

(e) Post situation

55. The staff level in the regional office has been maintained during the period under review. The post of Deputy Regional Representative will be redesignated, as of 1 July 1997, as Senior Liaison Officer and will be permanently located in Auckland, New Zealand, thereby negating the need for a staff member on mission for this purpose and also permitting the discontinuation, at end-1997, of a post of Legal Officer.

(f) Implementation of policy priorities (women, children, environment)

56. UNHCR is actively promoting policy priorities in collaboration with relevant parliamentary constituencies in both Australia and New Zealand. Guidelines and other UNHCR materials related to refugee women and children are widely distributed to governmental and non-governmental counterparts. The Government of Australia has recently issued a Manual on Gender Guidelines for use in refugee status determination. UNHCR continues to support Australia and New Zealand's Women-at-Risk resettlement programmes. The UNHCR programme of assistance in the Solomon Islands specifically targets vulnerable women and children, as well as elderly and sick persons.

(g) Oversight reports

57. No reports were initiated during the reporting period.

2. Bangladesh

(a) Beneficiaries

58. As at 30 June 1997, some 21,000 refugees from the Rakhine State of Myanmar were accommodated and assisted in two camps in southern Bangladesh. In addition, 149 refugees of various origins lived in urban areas, of whom, 130 were assisted by UNHCR (81 Somalis, 38 from Myanmar, five Iranians, five Sri Lankans and one Iraqi). Of the total caseload, 32 per cent were female and 30 per cent were children below 18 years of age.

(b) Recent developments and objectives

59. The voluntary repatriation of the Muslim residents of the Rakhine State from the camps in Bangladesh was not completed in 1996 due to difficulties in the clearance process and an increasing number of persons not volunteering to return. More than 23,000 persons, however, returned under UNHCR auspices during 1996. Following a bilateral agreement in early 1997, the Myanmar authorities declared the repatriation over at the end of March 1997, leaving some 21,000 persons in the two camps in Bangladesh. A one month resumption of the repatriation was agreed to in mid-July 1997, to enable the voluntary return of the 7,500 persons already cleared by the Myanmar authorities. As voluntary repatriation for all those remaining is unlikely, a mutually acceptable solution will need to be found for those with a genuine reason not to return.

60. During the first four months of 1997, no urban cases were resettled to third countries. While continuing care and maintenance assistance, UNHCR will seek durable solutions for this caseload through close monitoring of the situation in their respective countries of origin, pursuing third country resettlement wherever necessary and feasible, and implementing self-supporting activities in the country of asylum.

(c) Implementing partners/arrangements

61. The care and maintenance project benefiting Myanmar refugees in camps is implemented by the Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief (MDMR) and a number of NGOs (MSF-Holland, OXFAM, CONCERN and the Bangladesh Community Development Centre (CODEC)). WFP provides the main component of the food basket for these refugees. The care and maintenance project for the urban caseload is implemented by the Dhaka Ahsania Mission (DAM).

(d) Budget

62. Initial 1997 General Programmes estimates were revised downwards from $ 4.4 million to $ 2.6 million due to the expectation that average beneficiary levels would be significantly less, given the higher incidence of repatriation in late 1996 and early 1997. The estimate was based on the expectation that repatriation and other solutions would be implemented, and that the camps would subsequently be closed by end-June 1997. While some 32,500 refugees had repatriated from January 1996 to June 1997, a residual caseload of 21,000 individuals remained in the camps and necessitated an extension of care and maintenance into the second half of 1997. It is anticipated that solutions will be identified for the residual caseload by end-1997. Hence, no care and maintenance provision has been made under General Programmes for 1998 for Myanmar refugees. A small care and maintenance project for urban refugees will continue in 1998.

(e) Post situation

63. Due to the delayed completion of repatriation and the absence of a solution for the residual caseload, UNHCR's presence in the camps will be extended. The timing of the planned reduction in staffing levels during 1997 will consequently be delayed. The target for post reductions from the 1997 level of 38 posts to 11 posts in 1998, however, is still envisaged.

(f) Implementation of policy priorities (women, children, environment)

64. As in prior years, compressed rice husks are being distributed as cooking fuel to all families in the refugee camps in order to minimize the collection of firewood and mitigate against deforestation around the camps. Since 1996, kerosene used for the ignition of the compressed rice husks is also being distributed to refugee families, so as to ensure that they do not need to collect firewood for this purpose.

65. During 1997, financial support towards basic, non-formal, education activities continued, benefiting all illiterate boys and girls enrolled in various educational activities in the camps. The attendance of girls is given priority. Special literacy programmes for young women are also taking place.

66. The culturally sensitive issue of how to involve women in the distribution of food, continued to be addressed in an active manner by WFP and UNHCR, with the involvement of camp officials, NGOs and the Bangladesh Red Crescent Society, which is responsible for the distribution of food in the camps. Immunization programmes continue to be implemented in all camps. Sanitary supplies are made available to female refugees.

(g) Oversight reports

67. A summary of the report of the July 1996 inspection mission to Bangladesh and Myanmar, and complementary action taken by the Bureau, is provided under Part II of this Update.

3. China

(a) Beneficiaries

68. As at 1 January 1997, China hosted a refugee population of some 290,100 persons, the vast majority of whom were Vietnamese. A small group of non-Indo-Chinese refugees was composed of 28 Somalis, 14 Burundians, seven Rwandans, four Iranians, one Sri Lankan and one Sudanese. Women represent some 48 per cent of the refugee population and children below five years of age, 10 per cent. The non-Indo-Chinese refugees reside mainly in cities throughout China and the durable solution sought for them is primarily third country resettlement or, in some cases, voluntary repatriation. This group continued to receive material assistance, pending a durable solution.

(b) Recent developments and objectives

69. In May 1997, UNHCR's presence in China was upgraded from that of Branch Office to Regional Office covering China and Mongolia. With the return of Hong Kong to Chinese sovereignty as of 1 July 1997, the UNHCR Office of the Chief of Mission in Hong Kong was redesignated as a Sub-Office, reporting to the UNHCR Regional Office in Beijing.

70. In June 1997, a mid-term programme review took place to evaluate the progress of the revolving credit scheme under the local settlement programme for Indo-Chinese refugees. For the benefit of the poorest settlements, 17 individual projects are being implemented in 1997. Of these, 14 are funded under the credit scheme and three represent vocational training projects. It was reported that the projects have been successfully implemented overall and that the scheme is operating smoothly. New project proposals are being considered for 1998, some of which will be funded through repayments from the first generation of loans under the scheme.

71. In recent years, several thousand Indo-Chinese refugees have reportedly expressed their interest in repatriation to the local authorities. A sample survey of the refugee population has been initiated to assess the number and profile of those individuals who would wish to repatriate, should a repatriation arrangement be agreed upon bilaterally. The Chinese authorities have indicated an intention to offer nationality to those Vietnamese refugees who wish to remain in China, once the possibility of voluntary repatriation for those who would wish to return to their country of origin has been established.

72. In addition to the ongoing provision of basic life sustaining assistance to individual refugees and asylum-seekers, emphasis will increasingly be placed on advocacy and promotion of refugee law. Such activities will be extended to Mongolia. Contacts have been established since 1996 with academic institutions and a first refugee law seminar was organized at Beijing University in June 1997. With the establishment of a public information post in Beijing in March 1997, public awareness activities are also being developed.

(c) Implementing partners/arrangements

73. UNHCR assistance to refugees in China is channelled through the Ministry of Civil Affairs, which implements the projects through its Office for the Reception and Settlement of Indo-Chinese refugees (ORSIR) and its offices at the provincial level. The local Offices for Overseas Chinese Affairs and Land Reclamation Bureaux are also involved. The project for care and maintenance for non-Indo-Chinese refugees is directly implemented by UNHCR.

(d) Budget

74. The revised 1997 programme of assistance for the local settlement of Indo-Chinese refugees has a total budget of $ 1.9 million. The findings and recommendations of a programme review held in February 1997 were included in the 1998 country programme submission. The scope of assistance under the revised 1997 care and maintenance programme for non-Indo-Chinese refugees generally remained unchanged.

(e) Post situation

75. In addition to the creation of the public information post mentioned above, a post of Senior Programme Officer has been created as of 1 January 1998, to strengthen the staffing structure of the Office with regard to its regional responsibilities.

(f) Implementation of policy priorities (women, children, environment)

76. The maintenance of existing community services programmes have ensured that non-Indo-Chinese children refugees who have no access to ordinary schools in China under the present regulations, continue to benefit from informal education classes.

77. The proposed UNHCR/FAO project, entitled "Women-Targeted Income-Generating Activities in Selected Refugee-Hosting Areas in China", did not materialize due to budgetary constraints. UNHCR will continue its efforts to promote the project with potential donors.

(g) Oversight reports

78. No reports were initiated during the reporting period.

4. Hong Kong

(a) Beneficiaries

79. As at 1 January 1997, there were 5,243 Vietnamese non-refugees and 1,345 Vietnamese refugees in Hong Kong. Between 1 January and 30 June 1997, 4,403 non-refugees repatriated to Viet Nam under UNHCR sponsored voluntary repatriation and bilateral orderly return programmes. Six refugees were locally settled and 317 were resettled in third countries. As of 30 June 1997, there were 723 screened-out non-refugees (of whom 188 were cleared for return, but remained subject to temporary medical hold or other constraints, and the balance were subject to further nationality verification) and 1,346 Vietnamese and 12 non-Vietnamese refugees. In an escalating trend, 35 non-Vietnamese cases (45 persons) requested asylum during the reporting period, of which, five cases (five persons) were recognized as refugees by UNHCR.

(b) Recent developments and objectives

80. With the return of Hong Kong to Chinese sovereignty as of 1 July 1997, the UNHCR Office of the Chief of Mission was redesignated as a Sub-Office, reporting to the UNHCR Regional Office in Beijing, China.

81. During the reporting period, the detention centres at Kai Tak and Whitehead were closed. The residual Vietnamese non-refugee population is now based in the remaining detention centre at High Island. The Sub-Office will terminate contractual arrangements with the Hong Kong authorities for non-refugees as of 15 August 1997. Medical assistance for extremely vulnerable cases, however, will be provided to end-1997, by which time it is anticipated that alternative care arrangements will be instituted. UNHCR will also advocate for the release of all non-nationals from detention. Furthermore, UNHCR will work towards the phasing-out of the Pillar Point Camp management activities in the second half of 1997, in conjunction with consultations with local authorities on the possible conversion of this facility to a local settlement site for the residual Vietnamese caseload.

82. In May 1997, the High Commissioner appealed to countries to give favourable consideration to the few remaining deserving cases for resettlement among the over 1,300 Vietnamese refugees in Hong Kong. Following this appeal, 18 countries were invited to attend a special meeting in Geneva on 26 May 1997. At the time of the meeting, 280 refugees were pending resettlement. An additional 360 refugees were processed for resettlement during the months of June and July 1997. As at end-July, 300 persons had been accepted and 305 were still awaiting decisions. Some 35 refugees are being reassessed for possible resubmission.

83. In close consultation with the Regional Representative in Beijing, UNHCR will undertake training and public information activities in Hong Kong to sensitize the public to global and local refugee issues, and to promote the establishment of local procedures for the determination of refugee status consistent with international standards.

(c) Implementing partners/arrangements

84. During the period under review, CARITAS provided informal pre-schooling, primary education and recreational activities at High Island camp for non-refugees, as well as social assistance and pre-school day-care. MSF managed an on-site medical clinic. International Social Service (ISS) covered primary and secondary education and social services, and the International Catholic Migration Committee (ICMC) was responsible for camp management activities.

(d) Budget

85. The General Programmes provision for Hong Kong covered camp management, care and maintenance, and counselling, health, and education services essentially for Vietnamese refugees. The current 1997 General Programmes estimate of $ 3.7 million is higher than the initial estimate of $ 2.8 million due to a higher average caseload of Vietnamese refugees requiring care and maintenance in the light of limited resettlement opportunities and the absence of alternative durable solutions. Requirements for 1998 have been consolidated within the General Programmes provision for China.

86. The Special Programmes provision reflects the cost of care and maintenance and services for Vietnamese non-refugees in closed camps and detention centres, and costs related to voluntary repatriation, including air charters and returnee grants. No initial 1997 estimate was established, as it was envisaged that repatriation would be concluded by end-1996. The current 1997 estimate of $ 12.6 million remains largely subject to the availability of funds. In past years, UNHCR has not been able to raise sufficient funds for the care and maintenance programme in Hong Kong. The authorities have, therefore, advanced the required funds and have reported that such advances exceeded $ 150 million as at 1 January 1997. UNHCR has advised the Hong Kong authorities that, while efforts to raise funds have continued, they have not yielded positive results and prospects for the future remain bleak.

(e) Post situation

87. Six posts were been discontinued between March 1996 and January 1997, and a further three will be discontinued by the end of 1997, leaving 10 posts as at 1 January 1998. An additional six posts will be discontinued by end-1998.

(f) Implementation of policy priorities (women, children, environment)

88. The specific needs of single women, pregnant women, toddlers, elders and vulnerable cases were covered by provision of segregated accommodation, dietary and medical care, pre-schooling, special diet programmes, targeted recreational activities and protection coverage. In addition, the personal and hygiene needs of women in detention were addressed.

(g) Oversight reports

89. An internal audit was carried out in February 1996.

5. India

(a) Beneficiaries

90. As at 1 January 1997, 19,644 refugees of various nationalities were assisted by UNHCR. Of this caseload, 52 per cent were female and 47 per cent were children under the age of 18. This population was composed of 18,607 Afghans, 440 from Myanmar, 243 Somalis, 195 Iranians and 159 of other nationalities. Between 1 January and 30 June 1997, 65 persons voluntarily repatriated to their respective countries of origin and 186 persons were resettled to third countries.

91. The Government of India also provided direct assistance to some 64,000 Sri Lankan refugees in 133 camps in Tamil Nadu State. A further estimated 35,000 reportedly live outside camps. UNHCR does not provide assistance to either of these groups. UNHCR, however, received regular representations from individual refugees and concerned NGOs, and was involved in protection issues concerning individual cases through consultations, mainly with the government authorities.

92. Since April 1995, and following the suspension of return movements, there has been no organized voluntary repatriation of Sri Lankans from India. On the contrary, due to the escalation of armed conflict in northern Sri Lanka in mid-1996, over 9,000 persons have arrived between July 1996 and June 1997, of whom, some 2,000 arrived between 1 January and 30 June 1997. These new arrivals are accommodated in government run camps.

93. As at 1 January 1997, the Indian Government also hosted some 98,000 persons from the Tibet region of China and provided assistance to some 53,500 Chakma refugees from the Chittagong Hill Tracts in Bangladesh, who were accommodated in camps in the north-eastern State of Tripura. In March 1997, some 7,000 Chakma refugees were repatriated, following an agreement reached between the Government of Bangladesh and Chakma leaders. While not being involved, UNHCR maintained a dialogue with the Indian authorities on issues relating to the Chakma and other refugees brought to its attention by refugees groups and concerned NGOs.

(b) Recent developments and objectives

94. Overall programme objectives are to find durable solutions for urban refugees in India through close collaboration with government authorities and voluntary organizations and institutions dealing with refugee affairs, as well as to create greater public awareness of refugee situations and issues. Particular attention is being given to the dissemination of refugee law, with a view to promoting a legal framework for the protection of refugees. A series of seminars and training courses on refugee law were held for lawyers, NGOs and teachers of law, involving some 90 law faculties and professional bodies throughout India. These activities were undertaken in cooperation with Indian Centre for Humanitarian Law and Research (ICHLR). Public awareness seminars on refugee issues were also held in collaboration with Action for Welfare and Awakening in Rural Environment (AWARE).

95. Throughout 1996, rigorous efforts continued to encourage refugees to reduce their dependence on UNHCR assistance and become self-reliant. The provision of monthly subsistence allowances is limited to those genuinely in need and, wherever possible, replaced with vocational training and a one-time grant.

96. During 1996, 209 mandate refugees voluntarily repatriated to their countries of origin and 306 were resettled to third countries.

(c) Implementing partners/arrangements

97. The hand-over of programme implementation to NGO partners has further progressed. During 1996, the Voluntary Health Association of Delhi (VHAD), the Young Men's Christian Association (YMCA) and the ICHLR continued to implement respectively the health/nutrition, education and legal assistance sectors of UNHCR's care and maintenance project. In addition, an implementing arrangement was entered into with the Public Interest Legal Support and Research Centre (PILSARC) for the provision of legal advice to individual refugees, and with AWARE for organizing seminars on refugee issues for concerned NGOs. Commensurate with the progress of the hand-over, the number of UNDP-employed staff, whose administrative costs have been covered under the UNHCR project, was reduced from 31 posts, as at the beginning of 1996, to 16 at the end of the year. It is envisaged that this number will be further reduced to seven as of the beginning of 1998.

(d) Budget

98. As a result of the continuous rationalization of the care and maintenance programme, actual expenditures in 1996 were significantly lower than previous estimates. The revised 1997 requirements are yet again lower than initial 1997 estimates. This trend in the reduction of programme requirements in India is expected to continue in 1998.

(e) Post situation

99. There was no major change in the staffing level in India during 1996. In order to reinforce the capacity of the Office of the Chief of Mission in India for the promotion and dissemination of refugee law, and in view of the additional responsibilities being given to the office to coordinate promotional activities in the region and to cover Maldives, however, two National Officer posts and two local posts were created as of 1 January 1997. A post of Regional Legal Advisor (Promotion) and one additional local post will be created as at 1 January 1998.

(f) Implementation of policy priorities (women, children, environment)

100. In relation to those refugee groups to which UNHCR has access, the Office endeavours to assist refugee children and adolescents primarily through strengthening the capacities of families to meet their children's needs. UNHCR monitors the situation of the small number of cases of unaccompanied minors, for whom guardians are identified when necessary. The Voluntary Health Association of New Delhi (through which implementing arrangements have been made to provide medical assistance to refugees) pays particular attention to the health and nutritional needs of refugee children and pregnant and lactating women, for example through supplementary diet and immunization programmes, ante-natal and post-natal care, health education initiatives, as well as traditional health practices. Children suffering from serious ailments, disabilities and traumas are given special rehabilitation assistance.

101. Education programmes for refugee children are implemented through the National Council of YMCAs. Refugee children have the same access to education as Indian nationals. Adolescents are assisted with vocational training and attendance at "Open School" and non-formal education programmes. Protection issues involving UNHCR intervention include occasional cases of detention of minors for alleged immigration/emigration violations.

(g) Oversight reports

102. An inspection mission to India was undertaken in February 1996. At the beginning of 1996, there were some 240,000 refugees in India, of whom Sri Lankans (60,000), Afghans (20,500) and various other nationalities (1,000) were of active concern to UNHCR. Besides status determination and assistance to individual refugees and asylum-seekers who present themselves to UNHCR New Delhi, the bulk of UNHCR's efforts are directed towards international protection and refugee law promotion. The Inspection Service's conclusions were broadly supportive of efforts undertaken or planned in this regard. Specifics furthermore included:

(i) The need to harmonize protection and assistance standards between countries;

(ii) The need for greater information flow between countries sharing similar caseloads;

(iii) The need to promote naturalization as a durable solution for urban refugees in India;

(iv) The need to curtail open-ended assistance;

(v) The need to centralize and computerize individual case files;

(vi) The need to address the anomaly of providing private education to refugee children; and

(vii) The need for management to recognize the part played by staff interests in perpetuating the assistance programme.

Points (i), (ii), (iv), (v) and (vi) have been addressed in India in the context of the recently promulgated UNHCR Policy on Urban Refugees, which is progressively being implemented in many countries. Points (iii) and (vii) have also been addressed by the UNHCR Office in New Delhi.

6. Indonesia

(a) Beneficiaries

103. As at 1 January 1997, UNHCR assisted 42 refugees, including 17 Vietnamese. The main countries of origin include Afghanistan, the Islamic Republic of Iran, Iraq and Somalia. The Vietnamese refugees are housed in the Government compound in Tanjung Pinang. Other cases reside mainly in Jakarta and surrounding urban centres. Between 1 January and the end of June 1997, one Vietnamese repatriated, another Vietnamese was resettled to Australia and four Algerians were resettled to Canada. During this period, 17 new cases (19 persons) approached the Office for assistance and for asylum purposes.

(b) Recent developments and objectives

104. During 1996, 4,513 Vietnamese non-refugees were repatriated from Indonesia to their country of origin under the CPA. In September 1996, the refugee camp on Galang Island was formally closed and the site was handed back to the Government. Seven screened-in Vietnamese were resettled to third countries.

105. In the latter half of 1996, and consistent with the High Commissioner's regional strategy calling for the consolidation of UNHCR's post-CPA field presence, the UNHCR Branch Office in Indonesia was upgraded to a Regional Office responsible for UNHCR's interests and activities in Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Brunei Darussalam and the Philippines.

106. UNHCR's principle objectives in this sub-region in 1997 and 1998 will focus on the advocacy of refugee rights, the dissemination of refugee law, and the promotion of awareness of UNHCR's mandate and institutional goals through constituency building, training, and media/public information activities. The development of a closer relationship with the ASEAN Secretariat in Jakarta is also envisaged.

107. During the reporting period, UNHCR undertook a comprehensive review of urban cases with the authorities and several embassies, with a view to identifying local durable solutions for the long stayers, and resettlement possibilities for others.

(c) Implementing partners/arrangements

108. Yayasan Usaha Sejahteran Indonesia (YUSI) administers three project staff responsible for asylum-seeker procedures, provision of financial assistance and counselling activities. The Indonesian Red Cross is responsible for the delivery of basic assistance, including food and health care, to the residual Vietnamese caseload in Tanjung Pinang and health care for the other beneficiaries in Jakarta.

(d) Budget

109. With the completion of the CPA, care and maintenance assistance under General Programmes for the relatively small residual Vietnamese and urban caseload is the only assistance measure in Indonesia in 1997. A provision has also been made for promotion and training activities.

(e) Post situation

110. Staffing levels in Indonesia were progressively reduced from 10 to 6 posts with the completion of the CPA and the subsequent closure of the UNHCR Sub-Office in Tanjung Pinang in October 1996. An additional local post, however, was created as of 1 January 1998, in order to provide adequate support to the Regional Office structure.

(f) Implementation of policy priorities (women, children, environment)

111. While the majority of urban cases are adult males, the counselling regime recognizes the specific needs of women and children.

(g) Oversight reports

112. No reports were initiated during the reporting period.

7. Japan and the Republic of Korea

(a) Beneficiaries

113. As at 1 January 1997, UNHCR assisted 115 asylum-seekers, 14 screened-out Vietnamese and 27 mandate refugees in Japan. Most of the asylum-seekers are from the Islamic Republic of Iran, Afghanistan, Turkey, the Sudan and Myanmar. About 77 per cent of them are adult males and the remaining 23 per cent are women and children. There are seven children under five years of age. Between 1 January and the end of June 1997, 11 refugees and asylum-seekers were assisted by UNHCR to repatriate to their countries of origin (two to the Lao People's Democratic Republic and nine to Viet Nam).

114. A few individual asylum-seekers, usually single men, arrive in the Republic of Korea from various countries every year. In recent months, however, the number of families seeking asylum has increased (from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Afghanistan and Algeria). This trend is expected to continue. Cases with limited financial means encounter hardships with regard to housing, because such assistance is not available from government sources until the person has been recognized as a refugee. Those with no other alternative, sometimes find shelter in immigration detention centres.

(b) Recent developments and objectives

115. Given the nature of UNHCR's presence in Japan and the Republic of Korea, activities have traditionally focused on protection, public information and fund raising. In the absence of a substantial refugee population, assistance activities have been minimal. Japan remains a principal donor to UNHCR and special efforts are being made to provide Japanese NGOs and the private sector with information on UNHCR's global aims and activities, with a view to further strengthening this important fund raising and operational support relationship. Training on protection and programme management are provided regularly to government officials and NGOs in Japan and the Republic of Korea. Courses on refugee law have recently been introduced in Tsukuba University in Japan and Sookmyung University in the Republic of Korea.

116. UNHCR's main objectives for 1997 and 1998 include closer collaboration with the Governments of Japan and the Republic of Korea with regard to improved refugee status determination procedures. This will be pursued through frequent training activities, as well as consultations and information sharing. UNHCR will also promote public awareness and support of UNHCR activities in both countries through expanded media coverage and the development of links with NGOs and academic institutions. Furthermore, UNHCR will endeavour to expand, diversify and institutionalize the network of private sector fund raising in Japan and establish a similar network in the Republic of Korea. A first UNHCR regional workshop on Public Information and Private Sector Fund Raising was organized in June 1997 in Tokyo, Japan, in order to initiate or enhance such activities in Asian countries.

117. Emergency preparedness and contingency planning will be promoted through consultations with the authorities and the provision of specialized training. UNHCR will seek to expand the network of NGOs capable of participating effectively and promptly in UNHCR activities abroad.

(c) Implementing partners/arrangements

118. UNHCR provides assistance to mandate refugees under an agreement with the Committee for Settlement of Refugees of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of Japan. Pending identification of durable solutions, refugees are accommodated at the facilities of the Committee at Maebashi, Gunma Prefecture.

119. UNHCR also provides legal advice and counselling to asylum-seekers, both directly and through the Japan Legal Aid Association (JLAA). Under an agreement with the JLAA, asylum-seekers receive free legal advice and counselling from the JLAA. Legal representation can also be provided in case of need, with lawyers costs shared between the JLAA and UNHCR.

120. UNHCR refers asylum-seekers in need of social counselling to the International Social Service Japan (ISSJ). To date, UNHCR has not concluded any agreement with or provided any financial support to the ISSJ. Due to the increasing need for ISSJ's services, this situation may need to be reviewed in the course of 1998.

(d) Budget

121. Both the 1997 revised and 1998 initial General Programmes budgets are lower than the initial 1997 budget due to exchange rate gains, as well as savings incurred in rental costs as a result of a move to cheaper office premises during 1996.

(e) Post situation

122. The current level of 14 posts will be maintained in 1997 and 1998.

(f) Implementation of policy priorities (women, children, environment)

123. UNHCR places special emphasis on policy priorities in its public awareness and private sector fund raising activities in both Japan and the Republic of Korea. Brochures and educational material on refugee children are being produced and distributed to schools. The project "Tree for life", for reafforestation in the Sudan, initiated in 1981, continues to receive strong support from the private sector, as do women initiative projects, such as the Rwanda Women Initiative.

(g) Oversight reports

124. No reports were initiated during the reporting period.

8. The Lao People's Democratic Republic

(a) Beneficiaries

125. Some 27,000 Lao have returned to the Lao People's Democratic Republic since the inception of UNHCR's assistance programme for returnees in the Lao People's Democratic Republic in 1980, of whom 24,000 returned from Thailand under the CPA. As at 1 January 1997, UNHCR provided reintegration assistance to an estimated 3,000 returnees, of whom 2,500 were from Ban Napho camp in Thailand and 500 were from China. From 1 January to 30 June 1997, a total of 260 Lao refugees returned to the Lao People's Democratic Republic from China (222), Argentina (21) and Thailand (17) under UNHCR sponsored voluntary repatriation arrangements.

(b) Recent developments and objectives

126. UNHCR continues to conduct monitoring missions to rural settlements and returnee villages to assess the level of self-reliance achieved by returnees under UNHCR sponsored reintegration programmes and to follow-up on the well-being of individual returnees.

127. Following the tripartite consultations between the Lao People's Democratic Republic, Thailand and UNHCR in Bangkok in March 1997, a plan of action was adopted, with a target date of 30 September 1997, to screen and repatriate the remaining Lao caseload and to close the Ban Napho camp in Thailand. Due to delays in the implementation of screening procedures, it is likely that the objectives of the plan of action will not be fully met before end-1997.

128. UNHCR's principle objective in the Lao People's Democratic Republic is to monitor the well-being of returnees and ensure that returnees achieve acceptable levels of self-reliance while being integrated into the larger framework of national development. To this end, UNHCR is undertaking a socio-economic survey of returnee locations and is actively promoting the involvement of development agencies in longer-term rural development projects which would benefit returnees. UNHCR will also continue to promote humanitarian principals and refugee law through training programmes and the provision of technical assistance to local institutions and government departments.

129. UNHCR will endeavour to provide reintegration assistance to the Lao People's Democratic Republic returnees, subject to the availability of funds. Individual returnees are provided with land for housing and agriculture, livestock, tools and basic social services. During 1996, UNHCR assisted some 2,925 returnees in six rural settlement sites in three provinces. UNHCR has sponsored a wide range of returnee community infrastructure assistance measures, including reservoirs and wells for drinking water; dispensaries; sanitation structures; land clearance for temporary residential shelters and agriculture; irrigation weirs; access roads; classrooms; text books and student supplies; and health and nutrition awareness programmes. Training programmes in health, education and income-generation were also extended to the local population, to avoid disparity between assisted returnees and local villagers.

130. In 1997 and 1998, UNHCR will continue to support the Ban Na Saat rural settlement site, which has a capacity of 2,400 people. It is envisaged that returnees from the remaining caseload in Thailand will be settled in small groups in Ban Na Saat or as individual returnees joining their relatives in their provinces of origin. Host villages receiving small groups of returnees have benefited from the provision of small-scale infrastructure projects, which increase the villages capacity to absorb the additional population. Individual returnees are encouraged to achieve food security within a period of 18 to 24 months. Additional short-term assistance is provided on a case by case basis to those who have difficulties in achieving food self-reliance.

(c) Implementing partners/arrangements

131. The Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare is the main implementing partner of UNHCR's assistance programme. The Ministry is responsible for all activities relating to repatriation movements and the delivery of assistance to returnees. Matters of policy and concern to the Tripartite Commission are handled by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Land for new settlements is provided by the respective district and provincial authorities in the areas that offer reasonable access to communication networks, health, education facilities and, ideally, land resources capable of sustaining sedentary rain fed agriculture. CONCERN (Ireland) assists project implementation at the Ban Na Saat settlement in Khammoune province by providing technical assistance, skills training and community services. Consortium (United States) assists in the implementation of a primary health care project, including a drug reduction programme in Luang Prabang province.

(d) Budget

132. It is envisaged that earmarked contributions under the CPA Special Programme Appeal of February 1996 will cover returnee reintegration needs for 1997 and 1998.

(e) Post situation

133. While the level of posts related to monitoring activities has been maintained, UNHCR's operational staffing levels in the Lao People's Democratic Republic are being gradually reduced in line with the scale of the returnee programme and the progressive transfer of project ownership to relevant government departments. The number of posts remaining as at 1 January 1998 stands at 15.

(f) Implementation of policy priorities (women, children, environment)

134. All community development programmes at group settlement sites incorporate activities targeting women, and focus mainly on skills training in conjunction with income-generating activities and small business development. Activities are planned so that they are assimilated as much as possible into traditional activities, taking into account the heavy workload of women and, thus, encouraging participation. Projects include animal raising, tailoring, weaving and literacy classes.

(g) Oversight reports

135. No reports were initiated during the reporting period.

9. Nepal

(a) Beneficiaries

136. As at 1 January 1997, some 92,000 Bhutanese refugees (49 per cent female and 49 per cent children under the age of 18) were assisted by UNHCR in seven camps located in the Jhapa and Morang districts. Another 15,000 Bhutanese are reportedly residing in Nepal outside the camps without UNHCR assistance. Some 20,000 persons of other nationalities were also residing in various parts of Nepal and were provided with limited legal and/or financial assistance by UNHCR. Between 1 January and 31 May 1997, 654 asylum-seekers or persons of concern (16 per cent female and 35 per cent children under the age of 18) arrived in Nepal and departed on their own initiative to various destinations.

(b) Recent developments and objectives

137. Since the seventh round of the Bhutan-Nepal bilateral talks in April 1996, no significant progress can be reported in terms of lasting solutions for the Bhutanese refugees and asylum-seekers in the camps in Nepal. With a view to enhancing contacts with the Government of Bhutan, the Director of the Bureau for Asia and the Pacific visited Bhutan in August 1996. Following this visit, UNHCR reiterated to the Government of Bhutan and the Government of Nepal its readiness to assist the two Governments. UNHCR is aware that bilateral contacts are continuing between the two Governments and that there is a recognition on both sides of the importance of moving towards solutions to the plight of the refugees in camps in Nepal. Pending a settlement of the matter between the two Governments, UNHCR continues to provide protection and care and maintenance assistance to this caseload. A greater level of refugee participation in camp management and delivery of self-supporting activities has been achieved during 1996, and further efforts will be made in this regard, so as to further increase the cost-effectiveness of the programme.

138. Reports of some maltreatment of asylum-seekers arriving in the northern border areas continues to be a matter of concern. In order to monitor the situation, seven missions to the border districts were undertaken in 1996, during which the issue was addressed in close cooperation with the central and border authorities.

(c) Implementing partners/arrangements

139. Various sectors of the UNHCR-funded programme are implemented by two government agencies and eight NGOs. The Tibetan Refugee Welfare Office (TRWO) provides limited relief assistance in the urban areas to those who are in need of assistance. The care and maintenance project for the Bhutanese refugees in the camps in the Jhapa and Morang districts is implemented by the Home Ministry and NGOs, namely Lutheran World Services (LWS); OXFAM-Nepal; Save the Children Fund (UK) (SCF); CARITAS (Nepal); the Nepal Red Cross Society (NRCS); the Centre for the Victims of Torture (CVICT); and the Association of Medical Doctors of Asia (AMDA). The Home Ministry and the Ministry of Forests and Soil Conservation implement the Refugee-affected Areas Rehabilitation Project Phase II (RARP II) in Jhapa and Morang districts, which is funded by the Government of Germany. OXFAM (Nepal) has phased out all its activities in the camps apart from the non-formal education and adult literacy activities, which will be continued for the rest of 1997 and in 1998. CVICT completed its assistance activities in the Bhutanese refugee camps on 30 April 1997.

(d) Budget

140. The revised 1997 requirements for the UNHCR programme in Nepal are higher than 1996 expenditures due to the need to renovate shelter and other camp infrastructure, some of which had suffered severe damage during the 1996 monsoon season. The initial 1998 requirements have been established at a slightly lower level than the revised 1997 budget due to a streamlining of implementing partner administrative and overhead costs.

(e) Post situation

141. No significant change in the post level in Nepal took place in 1997, but one international and three local posts are planned to be discontinued by the end of 1997, leaving 42 posts as at 1 January 1998.

(f) Implementation of policy priorities (women, children, environment)

142. Participation of Bhutanese refugee women in camp management and activities has been steadily increasing since the emergency phase. A woman focal point appointed in each camp, within the framework of the Camp Committee system, has become a well established practice. Women are encouraged to apply for scholarships and preference is given to female applicants. Women make up some 80 per cent of the participants of the non-formal education programme and are increasingly participating in both household and camp-level decision making. During 1996, the management of in-camp self-supporting activities, which had been provided by OXFAM, was taken over by the Refugee Women's Forum (RWF).

143. All registered Bhutanese child/adolescent refugees have access to primary and secondary educational facilities. Almost all school-aged children are enrolled in camp schools. Efforts have been made to ensure that girls are not discriminated against in the primary education programme and to prevent early drop-out. Combined socio-legal training courses focusing on women's and children's rights (including issues such as child labour, child marriages and domestic violence, as well as broader aspects of protection, human rights, and refugee rights and duties) have been conducted in the camps. Training to sensitize government officials, implementing agency staff and other concerned groups on such issues has also taken place. Approximately 275 unaccompanied minors are being cared for by relatives or RWF. A community-based rehabilitation project for children with disabilities has been carried out by SCF in all camps since 1996 in order to facilitate their rehabilitation and integration within families and communities. Of the 1,259 disabled children, 771 are attending general schools in the camps. Children have access to regular cultural, sports and community-based activities at camps.

144. RARP II, which commenced in 1995 under a multi-year trust fund from the German Government, continues to be implemented and includes river bank protection and reforestation in the vicinity of the refugee camps. During the latter half of 1997, an environmental impact assessment will be carried out to analyze the environmental degradation around the camps.

(g) Oversight reports

145. No reports were initiated during the reporting period.

10. Sri Lanka

(a) Beneficiaries

146. As at 1 January 1997, 14 persons (six Iraqis, three Somalis, one Afghan, one Sudanese, one Ugandan, one Bosnian and one Iranian) had been recognized as mandate refugees or of concern, and were provided with UNHCR assistance and protection. Information on UNHCR's provision of protection and assistance to some 200,000 internally displaced persons is provided Part II of this Update.

(b) Recent developments and objectives

147. UNHCR continues to assist refugees and asylum-seekers in Sri Lanka. UNHCR promotes awareness of the principle of non-refoulement and the need to develop an asylum policy and relevant legislation. UNHCR also maintains a regular dialogue with human rights groups and experts who support the incorporation of refugee protection principles and appropriate procedures into national legislation. On the basis of the 1994 agreement between the Sri Lankan and Swiss Governments concerning the return of rejected Sri Lankan asylum-seekers, which was extended in April 1996 for another two years, UNHCR continues to perform its liaison role between the returnees and the respective Governments and to monitor the safe re-entry of these persons into the country.

(c) Implementing partners/arrangements

148. Programmes covering care and maintenance assistance for the urban refugee caseload and the promotion and dissemination of refugee law are directly implemented by the UNHCR Branch Office in Colombo.

(d) Budget

149. The revised 1997 and initial 1998 requirements under General Programmes remain at levels similar to actual expenditures in 1996. The UNHCR Special Programme in Sri Lanka is reported separately under Part II of this Update.

(e) Post situation

150. All posts in Sri Lanka, with the exception of one Junior Professional Officer (JPO) in Colombo, are funded under the Appeal for UNHCR's Special Programme in Sri Lanka. The post situation in this regard is reported separately under Part II of this Update.

(f) Implementation of policy priorities (women, children, environment)

151. Particular needs of vulnerable cases, especially single women and children, continue to receive special attention. These persons rely entirely on UNHCR assistance for their care and maintenance and welfare, since they do not have access to employment, cannot enrol in educational institutions and do not benefit from social services available to Sri Lankan citizens.

(g) Oversight reports

152. An inspection of UNHCR activities in Sri Lanka was carried out in December 1996. In addition to the standard terms of reference for inspections, the mission reviewed the overall strategy of the Branch Office. The mission concluded that UNHCR's activities in Sri Lanka were in conformity with its overall responsibilities of providing protection and assistance to returnees. The activities reviewed included prevention activities for internally displaced persons and local populations, contingency planning for voluntary repatriation in the medium-term and contingency planning for eventual population displacements resulting from military operations. It was, however, recommended that the Branch Office should assume a more clear coordinating role for United Nations humanitarian assistance in the country, within a general prevention/protection focus. Following the inspection, a policy meeting was convened at Headquarters in April 1997, reviewing the operation and suggesting future programme directions. Other recommendations included the strengthening of micro-projects for both preventive and operational reasons, and the redeployment of some staff from the Branch Office to field locations closer to beneficiary populations.

11. Thailand

(a) Beneficiaries

153. As at 1 January 1997, the assisted caseload of Indo-Chinese refugees and asylum-seekers in Thailand comprised 276 Vietnamese non-refugees, 13 Vietnamese refugees, 3,285 mostly prima facie Lao refugees and 78 screened-out Lao. By 30 June 1997, there remained 46 Vietnamese non-refugees, eight Vietnamese refugees, 65 Cambodians (most of whom were expected to repatriate in the course of July 1997) and 1,513 Lao, mostly prima facie refugees. The Lao residual caseload residing in Ban Napho camp comprised 49 per cent children (below 18), 29 per cent men and 22 per cent women. Of the remaining Vietnamese and Cambodians, some 22 per cent were children, 59 per cent were men and 19 per cent were women.

154. As of 1 January 1997, some 101,000 refugees from Myanmar, comprising 79,000 Karen, 11,000 Mon and 11,000 Karenni, were assisted along the border of Thailand and Myanmar by the Burmese Border Consortium (BBC). As of 30 June 1997, this population had increased to some 116,200 persons.

155. A group of 2,710 urban refugees, mainly of Burmese ethnic origin, of whom 871 resided in the UNHCR sponsored safe area in Ratchaburi Province, were assisted by UNHCR. As at 30 June 1997, the number of refugees from Myanmar residing in the Safe Area in Maneeloy had decreased to 677 through resettlement. This population is largely composed of single young men.

(b) Recent developments and objectives

156. During 1996 and the first half of 1997, 44 Vietnamese and 3,251 Lao refugees were resettled. Under UNHCR sponsored voluntary repatriation and orderly return arrangements, 4,786 Vietnamese non-refugees repatriated to their country of origin. During this period, 26 Lao and 47 Cambodians also returned voluntarily to their country of origin. The camp of Sikhiu, sheltering the residual Vietnamese group, was officially closed in February 1997.

157. Following the tripartite consultations between the Lao People's Democratic Republic, Thailand and UNHCR in Bangkok in March 1997, a plan of action was adopted, with a target date of 30 June 1997 for the screening and repatriation of the remaining Lao caseload and the closure of the Ban Napho camp. Under the plan, an intensified voluntary repatriation information campaign was launched and visits to/from the returnee community of Ban Nasaat in the Lao People's Democratic Republic were arranged. Due to delays in the implementation of screening procedures, it is unlikely that the plan of action will be fully implemented before end-1997.

158. UNHCR staff from Bangkok have continued to undertake frequent missions to the border with Myanmar in order to monitor the welfare of ethnic minority refugee populations. The security situation of the Karen deteriorated in early 1997, following an escalation of military action within Myanmar and incursions into camps within Thailand, which resulted in further reported displacement on both sides of the border and several thousand new arrivals in Thailand. UNHCR will continue to seek improved security and protection for ethnic minorities from Myanmar, including support for government initiatives to relocate those camps subject to military incursion further away from the border.

159. In line with the consolidation of UNHCR's regional presence in Asia following the completion of the CPA, the Branch Office in Bangkok was upgraded on 1 January 1997 to a Regional Office covering Thailand and Cambodia. The Regional Office will emphasize the promotion of refugee law and constituency building within the sub-region. Training activities, public information and consultations with government officials, NGOs and academic circles will be enhanced. In July 1997, an Experts Meeting, co-hosted by the Government of Thailand and UNHCR in Bangkok, was convened in partnership with IOM as a follow-up to the Conference on Regional Approaches to Refugees and Displaced Persons in Asia and the Pacific, held in Canberra, Australia, in November 1996.

160. Given the political and military developments in Cambodia in July 1997, UNHCR continues to closely monitor the situation at the Cambodian border through the UNBRO roving protection presence. Contingency planning is in progress, in consultation with all concerned governmental and non-governmental partners, in view of potential population displacements. Emergency assistance was provided in July 1997 at the Thai-Cambodian border for several thousand internally displaced persons in Cambodia.

(c) Implementing partners/arrangements

161. The Operations Centre for Displaced Persons of the Ministry of Interior (MOI) remained UNHCR's principal implementing partner during the reporting period. In 1996, the following voluntary agencies were funded by UNHCR directly or through the MOI: the Catholic Office for Emergency Relief and Refugees (health, supplementary feeding, shelter, infrastructure, sanitation), the International Rescue Committee (water, sanitation, shelter, infrastructure), MSF (health, supplementary feeding), the Thai Red Cross Society (TRCS) (health, mailing, exchange of foreign remittances), and ZOA Refugee Care Netherlands (health and supplementary feeding). IOM was responsible for medical clearances and in-country transportation for resettlement and voluntary repatriation cases. In 1997, IRC, TRCS and ZOA continue to be funded by UNHCR through the MOI.

(d) Budget

162. Expenditure in 1996 ($ 7.9 million) was largely consistent with the revised requirements ($ 7.8 million), notwithstanding that delays in the repatriation of Vietnamese non-refugees and Lao resulted in a prolongation of care and maintenance activities and related staff costs. Subsequent to the completion of the CPA, the UNHCR programme in Thailand is funded entirely under General Programmes as of 1997. Current requirements for 1997 ($ 6.7 million) are in excess of the initial estimate ($ 6.4 million) due mainly to a significant retroactive revision of local salary scales. In 1998, a significant reduction under General Programmes to $ 4.6 million is anticipated on the current assumption that repatriation and other solutions will be achieved in respect of the Lao caseload by end-1997.

(e) Post situation

163. Significant post reductions in Thailand have been achieved as planned. There are currently 44 posts in Thailand, as compared to 53 in 1996. A further reduction to 28 posts is planned for 1998. Of note was the creation, in 1996, of a Senior Regional Protection Officer post in order to enhance the promotion capacity of the Regional Office in Bangkok.

(f) Implementation of policy priorities (women, children, environment)

164. Emphasis continues to be placed on the specific needs of women and children in all relevant sectors of assistance.

(g) Oversight reports

165. An external audit review of UNHCR activities in Thailand was conducted in December 1996.

12. Socialist Republic of Viet Nam

(a) Beneficiaries

166. A total of 28,655 Vietnamese non-refugees repatriated to Viet Nam from ASEAN countries of first asylum, Hong Kong and Japan during 1996. Between 1 January and 30 June 1997, a further 4,547 Vietnamese non-refugees returned, mainly from Hong Kong.

(b) Recent developments and objectives

167. Repatriation from ASEAN first asylum countries and Japan was largely completed in 1996. Some 5,243 non-refugees remained subject to return in Hong Kong and some 1,653 others were permitted by the Philippine Government to remain in that country, subject to future bilateral repatriation and/or alternative durable solutions. By 30 June 1997, virtually all Vietnamese non-refugees had repatriated to their country of origin, with the exception of some 800 individuals mostly in Hong Kong, of whom 188 were cleared for return, subject to temporary medical hold and other constraints, and the balance were subject to further nationality verification. With the virtual completion of repatriation from Hong Kong, the eight year long repatriation operation under the CPA had brought a total of 109,619 Vietnamese boat people back home.

168. The main role of UNHCR in Viet Nam is to monitor the safe return of all returnees and to assist them to reintegrate in their country of origin. During the reporting period, UNHCR provided reintegration grants to all eligible returnees and continued to conduct post-return monitoring of as many returnees as possible. Furthermore, more than 200 micro-projects were implemented during 1996. These included a wide range of returnee community support activities such as improvements to schools, dispensaries, roads and other urban and rural community facilities, as well as vocational training and income-generation projects targeting returnees. Micro-projects will peak during 1997, targeting the 1996 and 1997 population of some 33,000 returnees, and will phase down during 1998.

(c) Budget

169. The prolongation of repatriation from some ASEAN countries of first asylum beyond the end-June 1996 target for the formal completion of the CPA, and through mid-1997 in the case of Hong Kong, has resulted in a significant budget variance between the initial ($ 2.9 million) and current ($ 6.9 million) estimates for 1997. This variance is due essentially to deferred expenditure on individual returnee grants and other repatriation-related costs for some 6,000 returnees, and an increase in the allocation for micro-projects from $ 1.25 million to $ 3.0 million to effectively target new returnees through 1997 and 1998. The 1998 projected requirements under Special Programmes cover agency support and the continuation of returnee monitoring activities.

(d) Implementing partners/arrangements

170. The main implementing partner of UNHCR continues to be the Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs (MOLISA) at both the capital and provincial levels. MOLISA is responsible for the implementation and monitoring of the micro-projects. The Ministry of Interior remains responsible for clearance/reception procedures for returnees and for transport arrangements to their places of origin.

(e) Post situation

171. Upon the completion of repatriation movements under the CPA in 1997 and the progressive phase down of UNHCR's micro-project programme through 1998, it is envisaged that the staffing levels in Viet Nam will reduce from 42 posts to 34 at the end of 1997. The Working Group in Ho Chi Minh City will be closed by mid-1998.

(f) Implementation of policy priorities (women, children, environment)

172. UNHCR will continue to play an active role in referring vulnerable returnees, including women and children, to the European Union Returnee Assistance Programme and other specialized entities which provide specific assistance to vulnerable returnees.

(g) Oversight report

173. No reports were initiated during the reporting period.

13. Other countries in Asia

Cambodia

(a) Beneficiaries

174. As at 1 January 1997, 26 refugees, mainly single male adults, from various countries benefited from UNHCR assistance. In 1996, a total of 426 Cambodians repatriated to their country of origin, mainly from Indonesia, with the assistance of UNHCR.

(b) Recent developments and objectives

175. As of 1 January 1997, the UNHCR Regional Office in Thailand assumed responsibility for Cambodia. The Liaison Office in Phnom Penh is scheduled to close by end-1997.

176. A limited number of vulnerable persons among the earlier Cambodian returnee population were still assisted in the course of 1996. In 1997, UNHCR concluded its assistance activities for this group, but remains closely associated with other United Nations development agencies and multilateral financial institutions in advocating returnee reintegration in the long-term. A group of 65 Cambodians formerly in Sikhiu camp in Thailand were cleared for voluntary repatriation by the Ministry of Interior. During the first part of the year, eight of them returned to Cambodia and the majority were scheduled to return in early July 1997.

177. For 1997 and beyond, UNHCR's primary objective in Cambodia will be advocacy and promotion of refugee law. Preliminary interviews of individual asylum-seekers and the provision of assistance, when necessary, will be handled on behalf of UNHCR by a local implementing partner. UNHCR will continue to support programmes promoting ethnic harmony and tolerance within the country.

(c) Implementing partners/arrangements

178. During the period under review, UNHCR's implementing partners were the Cambodian Red Cross, providing transportation and reintegration assistance to returnees, and the Jesuit Refugee Services (JRS), providing assistance to asylum-seekers and recognized refugees. The Cambodian Family Development Services was responsible for relief and social assistance to the most vulnerable returnees. As of 1998, the JRS will provide assistance to asylum-seekers and refugees under a sub-project managed from Bangkok.

(d) Budget

179. Since the beginning of 1996, all activities in Cambodia have been funded under General Programmes. The reduction of UNHCR's presence and the streamlining of its activities, in line with the limited nature and scope of UNHCR's mandate for returnees, resulted in budget reductions in 1996 and 1997. For 1998, the budget for UNHCR's activities in Cambodia is not expected to exceed $ 110,200.

(e) Post situation

180. From 21 posts on 1 January 1996, the staff in Phnom Penh was reduced to six posts in 1997. No staffing is planned for 1998.

(f) Implementation of policy priorities (women, children, environment)

181. UNHCR will continue to advocate the needs of returnee women within national policies, in particular women heads of household, with a view to ensuring their longer-term self-reliance.

(g) Oversight reports

182. No reports were initiated during the reporting period.

Malaysia

(a) Beneficiaries

183. As at 1 January 1997, 199 persons of various nationalities were registered with UNHCR, either as persons of concern or as refugees.106 of these persons were receiving financial assistance. The main countries of origin include Afghanistan, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Iraq and Somalia. The female population comprises 20 per cent of the total population and children under five years old comprise five per cent. Between 1 January and the end of June 1997, some 105 persons approached the Office requesting refugee status, of whom 12 persons were recognized as persons of concern. The Malaysian Government also provided temporary asylum and material assistance to some 259 Bosnian Muslims.

184. As at 1 January 1997, the residual Indo-Chinese caseload in Malaysia of 23 persons comprised eight pending resettlement cases and 15 Vietnamese non-refugees not cleared for repatriation due to disputed nationality. Between 1 January and 30 June 1997, two persons repatriated voluntarily to Viet Nam and 13 Vietnamese non-refugees were accepted for resettlement, leaving a residual caseload of eight persons pending resettlement or an alternative durable solution.

(b) Recent developments and objectives

185. During 1996, 4,296 Vietnamese non-refugees were repatriated from Malaysia to their country of origin under the CPA. There were 102 Vietnamese refugees resettled in third countries. The last repatriation movement from Malaysia took place on 25 June 1996. The refugee camp at Sungei Besi, outside Kuala Lumpur, was handed back to the Malaysian authorities in August 1996.

186. UNHCR's primary post-CPA focus, beyond ensuring the protection of refugees and promoting durable solutions, will emphasize the advocacy of refugee rights and the promotion of awareness of UNHCR's mandate and institutional goals through constituency building, training and media/public information activities.

187. Consultations are in progress with government authorities regarding a joint survey of the situation of a reported population of some 10,000 Muslims from Myanmar, of whom over 5,000 were registered with UNHCR in 1992 and 1993, in order to determine the receptivity of this population to voluntary repatriation.

(c) Implementing partners/arrangements

188. The Malaysian Muslim Welfare Organization (PERKIM) is UNHCR's principal partner for the implementation of the assistance programme for the non-Indo-Chinese urban caseload. The Malaysian Red Crescent Society (MRCS) provides for the care and maintenance of the residual Indo-Chinese caseload.

(d) Budget

189. No significant variations between the initial and current 1997 estimates and 1998 projections are foreseen.

(e) Post situation

190. UNHCR's presence in Malaysia was redesignated from Branch Office to Liaison Office on 1 January 1997, reporting to the UNHCR Regional Office in Jakarta, Indonesia. Staffing levels were progressively reduced from 17 posts in 1996 to nine posts in 1997, with the completion of the CPA. A further reduction to six posts in 1998 is anticipated.

(f) Implementation of policy priorities (women, children, environment)

191. Access to elementary schooling for refugee children has become a concern and is being looked into.

(g) Oversight reports

192. No reports were initiated during the reporting period.

Papua New Guinea

(a) Beneficiaries

193. As of 1 January 1997, Papua New Guinea hosted some 10,000 Irian Jayan refugees, of whom some 3,600 continued to reside in the East Awin refugee settlement near Kiunga town in the Western Province, some 6,000 live in villages along the border with Indonesia, and the remaining 400 live in urban centres. Irian Jayans are recognized as prima facie refugees by the Government. UNHCR sponsored assistance presently targets mainly the residents of the East Awin refugee settlement. Urban refugees do not receive UNHCR material assistance, apart from educational and vocational training provided to a limited group of needy individuals.

(b) Recent developments and objectives

194. The UNHCR Liaison Office in Port Moresby was officially closed on 30 June 1996 and the Regional Office in Canberra subsequently assumed responsibility for UNHCR activities in Papua New Guinea. In May 1996, the Government adopted a new policy on Irian Jayan refugees, which allows for permanent residency and gradual naturalization. UNHCR is actively promoting the establishment of mechanisms for the early implementation of this policy, while continuing to promote voluntary repatriation as the most desirable solution.

195. A modest local settlement project is temporarily administered by the Regional Office until the Government of Papua New Guinea assumes responsibility for the crucial areas of primary education and supplementary feeding assistance to Irian Jayan refugees. One-time cash grants will also be provided to beneficiaries of the permissive residency programme to facilitate their local integration. Promotion of refugee law remains an important objective for UNHCR in Papua New Guinea and has been encouraged by the Prime Minister's announcement, in May 1996, of the intention of the Government to enact legislation governing refugee matters in the country.

196. During the reporting period, UNHCR also conducted general refugee law and programme management training for government officials and NGOs. Additional training/seminars, particularly targeting field and provincial officials and other specialized participants, are planned for the rest of 1997 and 1998. These sessions will seek to develop the national capacity to respond to refugee needs.

(c) Implementing partners/arrangements

197. The UNHCR assistance programme is implemented by the Montfort Catholic Mission in the East Awin settlement and by the Young Women's Christian Federation. The Division of Border Affairs of the Government of Papua New Guinea is assuming responsibility for health and education activities, and is expected to implement local integration assistance under the permissive residency arrangement.

(d) Budget

198. A small local settlement project has been established in 1997, but will require an increase to some $ 152,500 during the course of the year. A further increase to $ 231,600 in 1998 is projected due to an anticipated increase in the number of beneficiaries under the permissive residency programme.

(e) Post situation

199. Following the closure of the Liaison Office, activities in the East Awin settlement are monitored by staff from the Regional Office in Canberra through periodic missions.

(f) Implementation of policy priorities (women, children, environment)

200. Special attention is being given to the training of single female heads of family.

(g) Oversight reports

201. No reports were initiated during the reporting period.

Philippines

(a) Beneficiaries

202. As at 1 January 1997, UNHCR continued to provide protection to 327 refugees, including 42 Vietnamese refugees screened-in under the CPA. Of the total caseload, 231 individuals received material and medical assistance. Other countries/areas of origin include the Islamic Republic of Iran (83), Palestine (52), Iraq (45), Somalia (36), Sri Lanka (23) and Rwanda (19). Within the Vietnamese group, 40 per cent of the refugee population is female and almost 20 per cent is under five years of age. Amongst the other nationality groups, 31 per cent of the refugee population is female and 21 per cent is under five years of age. Between 1 January and the end of June 1997, the caseload decreased to 311 refugees following the resettlement of nine persons and the closure of files on seven individuals deemed to have found durable solutions without keeping contact with UNHCR.

(b) Recent developments and objectives

203. During 1996, 955 Vietnamese non-refugees repatriated from the Philippines to their country of origin under UNHCR sponsored voluntary repatriation and orderly return arrangements. Upon the formal completion of the CPA as of 30 June 1996, 1,653 Vietnamese non-refugees were permitted by the Government to remain in the Philippines, subject to future bilateral repatriation and/or alternative durable solutions.

204. UNHCR closed its field office in Palawan camp in March 1996 and terminated its operational involvement with the Palawan camp residual Vietnamese non-refugee caseload on 30 June 1996. A Memorandum of Understanding was signed in July 1996 between the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines and the Department of Social Welfare and Development to facilitate the temporary stay of Vietnamese non-refugees in Palawan. UNHCR provided a one-time contribution to the Government of the Philippines towards durable solutions for this population.

205. UNHCR seeks to promote the implementation of the 1951 Convention in the Philippines, this country being the sole ASEAN State having acceded to the Convention, and in particular to institutionalize refugees status determination procedures. In the absence of a procedural mechanism to examine and decide on requests for refugee status through the enactment of a national legal instrument, refugees residing in the Philippines under the protection of UNHCR remain in a precarious migratory situation. The Department of Labour and Employment Order No. 25 of 10 September 1996, however, which provides criteria and procedures for the issuance of work permits to refugees in the Philippines, constitutes an important first step in this direction, since it enables a significant number of refugees to become self-reliant.

206. In parallel with the delivery of technical legal advisory services, UNHCR's country programme objectives for 1997 and 1998 comprise various promotional initiatives to enhance general awareness and raise social support for refugee issues. Networking with academic and research institutions in the field of human rights will also be intensified.

(c) Implementing partners/arrangements

207. Care and maintenance for Vietnamese refugees in the Refugee Transit Centre in Manila is provided by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD). It is anticipated that the Centre will be closed at the end of 1997. In order to ensure a smooth transition from centre-based to community-based assistance, DSWD will continue in 1998 to assist the Vietnamese refugees through the services of a social worker. The Community and Family Services International is the implementing partner for UNHCR in the provision of financial and medical assistance, as well as social counselling to non-Indo-Chinese refugees. Where applicable, this agency also assists UNHCR with resettlement counselling.

(d) Budget

208. No significant variations between the initial and current 1997 estimates and 1998 projections are foreseen.

(e) Post situation

209. UNHCR's presence in Manila was redesignated from Branch Office to Liaison Office on 1 January 1997, reporting to the UNHCR Regional Office in Jakarta, Indonesia. Staffing levels were reduced from nine posts in 1996 to four posts in 1997. The reinstatement of two local posts was considered necessary for the effective functioning of the Liaison Office and a staffing level of six posts will, thus, be maintained in 1998.

(f) Implementation of policy priorities (women, children, environment)

210. In the Refugee Transit Centre in Manila, arrangements are made to ensure the physical safety of Vietnamese refugee women, through the provision of separate accommodation for single women and vulnerable female cases, separate toilet facilities, well-lighted premises at night and briefing to security personnel. The Transit Centre Administration provides information to refugee women on seminars organized by the local health centres on breast feeding, family planning/contraception and AIDS, and encourages them to participate.

211. Financial assistance for primary education is provided by UNHCR to urban refugee families with children between the ages of 7 and 12 years. The children of Vietnamese refugees in the Transit Centre attend public primary schools.

(g) Oversight reports

212. An internal audit of the programme in the Philippines took place in December 1996, which resulted in several observations which required corrective actions by the former implementing agency. The comments have been conveyed to the Government, both in writing and during meetings with senior government officials. An official response is still awaited.

Singapore

(a) Beneficiaries

213. As at 1 January 1997, there were seven refugees receiving UNHCR sponsored assistance in Singapore. During the period 1 January 1996 to 30 June 1997, 46 asylum-seekers sought UNHCR recognition or assistance.

(b) Recent development and objectives

214. With the exception of two Vietnamese pre-CPA refugee cases, all 99 Vietnamese boat people in Singapore voluntarily repatriated to Viet Nam on 27 June 1996. The refugee camp at Hawkins Road was formally closed on 30 June 1996 and the UNHCR Liaison Office in Singapore was subsequently closed in July 1996.

(c) Implementing partners/arrangements

215. The Catholic Welfare Services (CWS) has been an implementing partner of UNHCR for the last two decades. At the closure of the UNHCR Liaison Office in Singapore, CWS recruited experienced UNHCR local staff and agreed to continue to receive and assist refugees and asylum-seekers and undertake initial case analysis under the guidance of the UNHCR Regional Office in Jakarta, Indonesia. UNHCR supports the costs of one counsellor and one administrative clerk/driver. This arrangement will continue in 1998.

(d) Budget

216. No significant variations between the initial and current 1997 estimates and 1998 projections are foreseen.

(e) Post situation

217. There are no UNHCR posts in Singapore as of July 1996.

(f) Implementation of policy priorities (women, children, environment)

218. Not applicable to the present caseload/circumstances.

(g) Oversight reports

219. No reports were initiated during the reporting period.

(Note: Tabular Annexes I-III not included in this online version. See your nearest UN Depository Library.)