Iceland: Information concerning the treatment of Vietnamese refugees
| Publisher | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada |
| Author | Research Directorate, Immigration and Refugee Board, Canada |
| Publication Date | 1 November 1993 |
| Citation / Document Symbol | ISL15690.E |
| Cite as | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, Iceland: Information concerning the treatment of Vietnamese refugees, 1 November 1993, ISL15690.E, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/3ae6aaf893.html [accessed 19 May 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
According to an official of the Iceland Red Cross in Reykjavik, there are about 30 to 45 North Vietnamese refugees who came to Iceland between 1990 and 1991 (5 Nov. 1993). They were selected from a Vietnamese refugee camp in Hong Kong by the Iceland Red Cross, which was supported by the government of Iceland (ibid.).
The Red Cross created an integration programme for the refugees that consisted of, first, a one-year assistance from the Red Cross to enable the refugees adjust to their new environment in Iceland (ibid.). After the first year, there was six months of follow-up contact to determine how the new refugees were adjusting to their new society. According to the official, the Vietnamese resettlement programme has been successful (ibid.). The source notes that the refugees have been very well received and supported by the community. However, three have so far left Iceland. One went to Australia to unite with his fiancée, the second went to England for the same purpose and the last one came to Canada (ibid.). This response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the DIRB within time constraints. This response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum.
Reference
Social Department, Iceland Red Cross, Reykjavik. 5 November 1993. Telephone interview with official.
