UNHCR set up an initial presence in Hong Kong in 1952. However, the first UNHCR office was officially established in 1979 to cope with the influx of the Vietnamese Boat People. The main objective of this office was to help the Vietnamese refugees. The office also covers Macau SAR.
The exodus of the Vietnamese Boat People began in late April 1975. More than 210,000 Boat People arrived in Hong Kong, often in dramatic circumstances with many lost at sea. Hong Kong spent some US$ 1.1 billion over the years to shelter and feed these asylum seekers. Meanwhile, UNHCR supported the Hong Kong authorities in its efforts to provide assistance to the Vietnamese refugees. Some 143,000 Vietnamese refugees were finally resettled overseas from Hong Kong, and 67,000 repatriated. On 21 February 2000, the HK SAR Government announced the Widened Local Resettlement Scheme that allowed all Vietnamese refugees and boat people remaining in Hong Kong (about 2,400 people) to apply for Hong Kong identification cards and become local residents. The last refugee camp closed in July 2000, marking the official end of the Vietnamese refugees and the boat people saga.
Due to the stable political and economic environment in HK SAR and its busy port and airport, Hong Kong appears to be increasingly a cross-road for migrants and asylum seekers. Although China is a signatory to the 1951 Convention, it has not extended the application of the Convention to Hong Kong, and there is no legal framework governing the granting of asylum. Therefore, UNHCR carries the main responsibility for RSD, assistance to asylum-seekers and refugees as well as the identification and promotion
of durable solutions (mostly resettlement) under its mandate. Individual refugees in Hong Kong are not allowed to work while waiting for resettlement or voluntarily repatriation. Since May 2006 the most vulnerable asylum seekers are assisted by the HKSAR Government (Social Welfare Department). UNHCR provides basic assistance to vulnerable refugees.
As at January 2009, there are 1,112 asylum seekers in HK, and 103 staying in HK were given refugee status, making the total population of concern for UNHCR standing at 1,215. They mainly come from Asia (especially South Asia) and Africa.
In 2009, a Memorandum of Understanding was signed between UNHCR and Hong Kong Government. UNHCR will follow up the implementation of this document and undertake capacity-building activities agreed upon with the Government. The Office will continue to advocate for the adoption of refugee regulations. Though the authorities respect the principle of non-refoulement, asylum-seekers are still subject to arrest and detention. UNHCR will work closely with the Government while undertaking RSD and helping refugees in need.
In 2007, UNHCR started private sector fundraising operation in Hong Kong. Money raised in HK is used to support the UN Refugee Agency's humanitarian work to protect and assist refugees around the world. We strive to meet the needs of the world's most vulnerable people, building support and awareness Hong Kong for UNHCR's life-saving relief programs.
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