I am a Somalia national presently residing in Hong Kong as an Asylum seeker. And I firstly would like to thank Vision First and its administration for its continuing Humanitarian Support for the refugees and displaced people from Somalia. Somalia’s nationals are grateful to the Hong Kong Government and, particularly, the people of Hong Kong for their understanding and tolerance towards refugees. Regarding UNHCR it’s very clear that they are not doing much! I remember its chief, Antonio Guterres, informing that his agency hasn’t done enough to meet the needs of Somalis. So my expectation of the UNHCR was never high. In Hong Kong 85% of Refugee’s are from Somalia. Sometimes the one questions here is my human dignity. Where is the Universal Declaration of Human Rights? Is it just another labeling brand of words? We kindly request and ask good people to support us refugees with donations and any other possible means by assisting Vision First. The more you help Vision First, the more we have a chance to survive! Thank you very much Vision First for keeping the good job. To UNHCR we are safe here in Hong Kong but there are millions of refugees in camps without any means to survive, they are the ones who are a top priority. This does not mean that UNHCR’s moral responsibility is clear. Please everyone help us we are in danger of becoming homeless – please support Vision First

UNHCR is like a Rubber Wall: complaints bounce off their diplomatic immunity. They cannot be summoned to court to explain their actions. They cannot be sued for dereliction of duty. They cannot be pinned with the suffering directly caused to refugees. No registered charity could ever get away with this. The *roar* of complaints Vision First’s articles generated – particularly from refugees themselves – is a damning testimonial to the disgraceful job they do. Do they behave like good international citizens? The public can examine the evidence and decide for themselves. I am glad Vision First brought these issues to light. Please continue demanding independent audits, until their duties are absorbed by HK Government and UNHCR Hong Kong is shuttered.
In the long run, the government will do the right thing, which is taking over refugee status determination and allowing successful applicants to work and build a decent life in Hong Kong. Yes, advocating for refugees’s RIGHT TO WORK becomes a priority until the government realizes refugees have the right to make an honest living.

UNHCR keeps hiding behind the excuse of impending “humanitarian crises” around the world, yet don’t publish external audits about what is purchased, from whom and where. Here’s a different example: UNHCR Hong Kong collected 1.8M HKD from the Pakistani community for relief after the 2010 flooding. However, by mandate they cannot assist Pakistanis in Pakistan. The office is known to send people away, saying “You must seek protection at a UNHCR office outside the country”. They certainly turn away Pakistani flood-victims seeking relief in Hong Kong, because such claims do not comply with the five acceptable reasons “race, religion, nationality, membership of a particular social group or political opinion” – flood victims need not apply! Where did that money go? If you ask them, they will say they made an exception on humanitarian grounds, however A) there is no proof how these funds were spent in Pakistan, and B) why don’t they make an exception to help Hong Kong refugees they recognized themselves?

I have read the many responses to this article and I’m deeply saddened by the refugees’ plight. They are condemned to live what I’m sure is the hardest life of anyone in Hongkong. They should be supported by UNHCR, but where that fails we should actively encourage HKSAR to change laws and policies to take over refugee management from arrival to integration. I will ask around about what rights UNHCR has to neglect the duties they are paid for and fundraise for. Good job, Vision First!

Because UNHCR Hong Kong mentions that refugee crises are escalating worldwide, you can still push for Somalia, which is a good example of why UNHCR should help famine driven Somalis in Kenya, and give the, status in HK. They should accept all Somali asylum-seekers in Hong Kong as this reduces their expenses in the Somali camps as they only need to pay us 300$ a month here. UNHCR should encourage thousands of Somalis to come to HK where they can conveniently wash their hands of all responsibility. UNHCR is voted “Lamest Duck” in the world!

Dear Vision First – I had surely bought the Sunday SCMP and read the good news over Yum Char with my mother in law. Let’s give thanks to our Lord and pray for his wisdom and strength for Vision First! Keep going on strong and be confident of our support – thank you.

As we sit in Chung King Mansion pondering this month’s remarkable events, we notice the absence of Christian Action’s voice in the “UNHCR Debacle”. Why haven’t they spoken out? Why didn’t they join the rallying call to advocacy arms? Being temporarily headless isn’t an excuse. A strong organization must have a guiding spirit that inspires staff no matter who the manager is. They started the CKM Service Center in 2004 and should be the leaders in the field. However meekness and submission to UNHCR appears to drive their action. We read about churches speaking out against all kind of injustices. We hear others giving voice to the voiceless. We wish to encourage Christian Action to do more for us refugees, as timidity never made the world a better place. Thank you Vision First for leading the way!

Thank you Vision First! You did a very good thing!

Hello Vision First – my suggestion is to seek the assistance from some legislative counselors. Get some legislative counsel, like Albert Ho, Leung Kwok Hung or those acting for Social welfare group and seek their opinion. They are fond of doing these kinds of complaints and can pursue them further. Keep up the good work!

Thank you for highlighting our suffering. We rejoice to have a voice speaking for us. Our situation is still the same, there is no reply from the UNHCR Hong Kong about any progress of our cases despite our repeated request to to expedite on our cases. The day passing our suffering and hardship are more increasing here in Hong Kong and for the remaining family in the country. Believe me if we knew that after passing more then two years in Hong Kong our situations will be same, we would never come and we would have been prefer to be killed by the militants or by the establishment. The UNHCR prolongs our suffering year after year … year after year …

Vision First, thank you for hearing our voices and helping our cause reach the public. As refugee mothers, many with children in school, we wish to add our comment about the Cash Cut. Before we had the option to buy the food our family needs at the best discounted prices we could find. After the UNHCR Hong Kong cut the refugee Cash Allowance to 300$, they forced us to collect food rations. Sadly these ratios are emergency food. They are basic, there is no choice and every ten days we are forced to collect the same supplies. There are no fresh vegetables and fruit. The frozen meat is so old that it cooks like wood. The canned food is the cheapest in Hong Kong. The quality of provisions is, in one word, awful. Before we could make smart purchases with the $1500 cash. Now we are forced to queue up for hours to collect our food, wasting precious time we need to take care of our family. The children cannot take lunch-boxes home as the food rations don’t have the correct ingredients. It pains our heart to say that our children are embarrassed to take this food to school as other students will tease them, seeing what terrible lunch they have. We don’t understand why UNHCR Hong Kong condemn us to this further misery and humiliation, when they collected 27,000,000 HK$ from the kind people of HK last year. Thank you for voicing our complaint and don’t give up this fight. We only have Vision First standing behind us!

I am not a Refugee or Asylum seeker. I am an independent PI (private investigator) that some organizations such as UNHCR hire. They employ my services to collect information outside Hong Kong which UNHCR uses, in most cases, to quash asylum applications and to deny them protection. I am also a lawyer who cannot practice in Hong Kong due to jurisdiction issue. This message goes angrily to Mr. Choosin Ngaotheppitak (Head of UNHCR Sub-Office)

In my years of studies, I learned that: the primary purpose of UNHCR is to safeguard the rights and well-being of refugees. It strives to ensure that everyone can exercise the right to seek asylum and find safe refuge in another State, with the option to return home voluntarily, integrate locally or to resettle in a third country. The UNHCR also has a mandate to help stateless people. And in an effort to protect refugees and to promote solutions to their problems, UNHCR seeks to reduce situations of forced displacement by encouraging states and other institutions to create conditions which are conducive to the protection of human rights and the peaceful resolution of disputes. That UNHCR works in partnership with governments, regional organizations, international and non-governmental organizations to achieve these objectives. That UNHCR is an impartial organization, as per original definition. The UNHCR offers protection and assistance to refugees and others on the basis of their needs and irrespective of their race, religion, political opinion or gender. In all of its activities, UNHCR pays particular attention to the needs of children and seeks to promote the equal rights of women and girls. The Office has also been requested by the General Assembly to promote the 1954 and 1961 statelessness Conventions, and to help prevent statelessness by providing to States technical and advisory services on nationality legislation and practice. In Dec 2010 UNHCR was further mandated to lead and co-ordinate international action to protect refugees and resolve refugee problems worldwide. This prohibits the deportation of refugees to places where their lives or freedoms could be in danger.

Let me remind you of this Mr. Choosin Ngaotheppitak. In case you forgot or didn’t know. Many asylum seekers come into other countries leaving behind comfortable lives; they are high or upper-middle class in their country, with large homes, cars, high schools, or university education and children attending both. Having lost everything, wives and families going through hell, they have no choice but to run anywhere they truly can. Furthermore, the article 14 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights states that “Everyone has the right to seek asylum in other countries and enjoy the freedom from persecution.” It is true that there are both non-legit claimants and genuine refugees, but how would you identify and how to differentiate the one from the other? The truth is that UNHCR Hong Kong has always given credibility to those who do not meet the real definition of the refugee in accordance with the Geneva Convention.

In January of 2012 in typical deceiving fashion arranged by Mr. Choosin, refugees were informed that donations had shrunk in UNHCR bank accounts worldwide and the Hong Kong office had insufficient funds to continue its financial aid. The adult allowance was cut from HK$ 1500 to HK$ 300. How can UNHCR be so mean and inconsiderate to cut its support for refugees in Hong Kong by 80%? Especially in such difficult time for refugees while the UNHCR global receipts are at such high levels? I mean this is crazy … wait a minute, with all this brouhaha … Mr. Choosin, how much percentage money was deducted from your salary? Do you drive a car?? Of course yes and what kind of car do you drive? How much money do you spend on your outing with friends??

Instead it is a huge struggle for refugees, who cannot even secure the cheapest rooms in town. There is the true issue of expensive rents over HK$ 1000 (provided by the government) as the cheapest room is around HK$1500. But HK$ 1000 assistance is less than enough to rent a room. Then comes the issue of deposits and set-up fees. Getting a fridge, stove, rice-cooker, kitchen utensils, and cooking also requires gas canisters. Refugees need warm clothes for winter and bad weather, shoes, socks and underwear. Other personal hygiene items, baby formula and children needs. Until December 2011 each adult refugee received a 1500 HKD allowance for groceries, utilities, toiletries and transportation. We believe the UNHCR is not doing enough and doesn’t meet the standards that the UNHCR themselves think other countries should be meeting elsewhere. The UNHCR’s global budget for this year is a record US$ 3.59 billion and 93% of its funding comes from government sources. Excuse me, but what do refugees in Hong Kong get? Less than peanuts! Very demeaning! Did this decision come from UNHCR Head Office, or Hong Kong sub-office?

For further assistance Mr. Choosin, Head of UNHCR Hong Kong, redirects refugees to Christian Action and Vision First. Christian Action, what is this it? Are they really performing refugee duties as per their definition? Or are they just using their name to collect funds from Christians in Hong Kong and overseas? We all know Christian Action has been collecting funds, but where does the money go? I am sorry to touch another sensitive issue here, forgive me … I had the chance to be around Christian Action for a while and what I learned is that the money has been only serving for rent and big salaries … just like at UNHCR office. Honestly, what do they do for refugees?? You just go ahead and find out. Honestly it’s bogus …

Now this Vision First, an NGO which has an overload of asylum seekers at hand plus a number of torture claimants and recognized refugees who are supposed to be UNHCR’s responsibility … This raises burning questions in the mind of everyone who is reading this article, including the donors from Hong Kong and around the world. Mr. Choosin, let me introduce you to this small NGO which, small as it is, is making a huge name and big difference in the eyes of the public. Let’s talk about their Mission: “Vision First, through community participation, promotes the welfare of refugees, irrespective of religion, race and nationality by advocating and providing shelter and access to medical, counseling and educational services – focusing on personal development with dignity and compassion. “ They are a true NGO with a *true vision* to empower and assist refugees through a caring and giving society. They wish to meet refugee needs, by helping them to eventually become skilled, happy and prepared for resettlement and future integration. Vision First is a team of eight diligent guys with athletic minds and a genuine love for the less fortunate: refugees and asylum seekers. All of them are volunteers with no salary. Vision First goes through the same private channels to raise donations. They have a maximum annual income of HK$ 1,000,000, which is 1/20th of what UNHCR is making – and they have to beg so hard for it!!!

They are Cosmo Beatson, Executive Director, Danielle Stutterd, Centre Manager, Tiffany Sturman serves as Education Coordinator, Andrew Parkinson, Director, Counselor, Coach, and Teacher, Dr. Pak Ho Tsang, Director, Belinda Flanders, Director and Chairperson, Annabelle Singaram, Director and Treasurer.

Let’s see what this team has achieved in just over two years:

$90,000 monthly financial assistance
3120 hot meals served on Sunday
456 medical visits
400 members served monthly
182 dental visits
102 members housed in homes
42 nationalities
35 detention visits
15 children placed in school
12 school presentations
9 dedicated volunteers
8 vocational training courses
7 religions
5 new-born babies
1 football team
1 online booking system
1 temporary shelter – hk’s only
1 service center
1 passion to make a difference!

Now let’s look back at UNHCR Hong Kong, their figures and their achievements:
– number of recognized refugees in Hong Kong: 180
– number of (UNHCR) asylum seekers in Hong Kong: 486
– UNHCR managed to cut refugee’s 1500% allowance by 80%
– UNHCR managed to save HK$ 2,592,000 by getting HKSAR to pay for food.

Now let’s go back to the HK$ 20,000,000 donations. Bear in mind that UNHCR offices are subsidized by HKSAR. So where is the surplus? With fairness should we ask this question to Mr. Choosin? How do you explain this? How about accountability to Hong Kong donors who saved this money? According to UNHCR these funds were used to support its humanitarian work around the world, which have stretched the body’s financial resources to the limit. It was therefore unable to continue its “material assistance” for refugees. ”My office had to secure an alternative source of support to refugees and approached the government for assistance,” said Choosin Ngaotheppitak, head of the UNHCR’s Hong Kong office. This is bullshit or bogus justification! By the way, WHO AUDITS UNHCR EXPENSES?

If I’m not mistaken, the function of UNHCR, as set forth in the UNHCR Statute and elaborated in the United Nations General Assembly’s resolution, is: to pursue protection, assistance and solutions for refugees. Here in Hong Kong there are refugees whose lives have been directly threatened and attacked by Mr Choosin, Head of UNHCR Hong Kong sub-office as well as his officers and staff. One refugee said to Mr. Choosin, and I quote: “I have bad audio tapes I will send to the media for publication, to show the whole world how the UNHCR has been roughing and bulling refugees around.” Mr. Choosin got angry with that refugee and told him, “If you ever do that I WILL SEND YOU TO PRISON FOR THE REST OF YOUR LIFE!” This event shows how the Head and Staff of UNHCR Hong Kong use their power to ABUSE refugees and asylum-seekers. This is abuse of power! This is ill-treatment for a bad purpose! In that office there often are unfairly and improperly processed asylum applications, verbal abuse, mental and psychological abuse, violation of human rights, unjust practices; wrongful practice offense; crime, and otherwise verbal aggression. What is this?? This is life threatening and abuse of power. This is an unacceptable, systematic abuse by Mr. Choosin and his staff who simply create mental panic among Hong Kong refugees and claimants. Children usually see evil in one-dimensional terms. Evil is demonical. Evil comes in the form of warped or sadistic individuals bent on attacking God, motherhood, the flag and people they hate. In this case we see Mr. Choosin, along with his staff, running UNHCR Hong Kong like their household, abusing their power and never held accountable.

Furthermore, Mr. Choosin has been harassing Vision First. He called many times asking to speak to Cosmo but unsuccessfully. The motive behind his phone calls: to ask Cosmo to stop refugees from speaking to the media, despite his direct threat to them. One day last week I was visiting Vision First and a call came in asking to speak to Cosmo … we were having a little chit chat, Cosmo refused the call as he wanted answers in writing. This guy did not stop calling throughout the day. What I mean is this, trying to control who refugees talk to and what they say is abuse of power. This abuse of authority may be the prime source and true essence of EVIL – Evil is the ABUSE of power. Moral EVIL begins to exist when someone refuses to accept responsibility for the welfare of others, especially those naturally in their care. It can be said that someone has POWER, if that someone can decisively influence (the) reality (of others). In this context, AUTHORITY is power that derives from the United Nations Refugee Convention.

Mr. Choosin was expecting that Cosmo will send his office keys and say “YES SIR!!!” The UNHCR Hong Kong Office is practicing the Abuse of Authority. ABUSE OF POWER is the illegitimate use of power.
ABUSE OF POWER is that situation that exists whenever someone who has POWER over others unjustifiably uses that power to EXPLOIT or HARM others, or through lack of action, allows exploitation or harm to occur to others. It also follows that the main principle of human ethics and morality should be to avoid the abuse of power. From this it follows that it is extremely unethical to put in a position of conflict of interest, i.e., where one’s benefit or profit depends on harming or exploiting others.

That being said, it is our business to know where the “Private Sector Contribution” received from HK donors since 2006 have been spent. It is true that UNHCR collected over 20 Million HKD in 2010 and 16 Million HKD till 19 September 2011. Yes it is well known that UNHCR has diplomatic immunity, but does that immunity extend to the right to sabotage funds donated by HK citizens? I guess what nobody expected this clash of giants (Abusive UNHCR) to become historical! Now the outcome is going to be troublesome! See you in the Public Domain – see you at a Press Conference!

Sterling example – keep up the good work Vision First! This is what is called ADVOCACY!!

The refugee community is buzzing with delight. Vision First has joined their voice to the protest and finally the press is getting involved. There is a feeling that now refugees can speak up. We feel that we can hold our head high and tell the UNHCR to stop abusing us, to stop avoiding their duty to care for us, to stop reducing our life to begging. Perhaps with the media spotlight shining on them, they will be more careful about what they say and do. Thank you VF! You make us proud!

Thank you for the great article. This is fantastic. It is shameful how UNHCR has cut their allowance to local refugees. How do they justify collecting many millions of dollars and dishing out peanuts to those most in need. Where does all the money go? Thank you for highlighting the issue – this is a matter of public concern.

The UNCHR called us for a meeting. We didn’t know what it was about. When we met they told us that they hadn’t received any donations in 2011. They asked us if we would accept to change from “1500 dollar allowance” to “food from ISS and 300 dollars.” They said “Even the 300$ a month is not confirmed, we cannot afford it” The officer Mr. Ron Lo was always talking to us rudely. He didn’t show us mercy or compassion. He wasn’t sorry about our situation or sorry about the cutting. We gave him some examples of why we need the cash to spend: the rent problem (NB: needing to top up above the 1200$), the food we need to buy, the health items and washing items (body, clothes, home) that all need cash. And RL said “I myself don’t usually use the items that you mention. I don’t need to buy soap” He was comparing himself to us and how we don’t deserve to use the basic things that we were mentioning. He made us feel ashamed that we made a request for soap to wash our body. He was so cruel. He left us stunned. We didn’t’ know what to answer. We thought that if we cannot buy the soap that Mr. RL does NOT use, then we have to find another way to clean ourselves.

That is the way he treated us with great disrespect. He said, “The HK government doesn’t really want you to be here.” He was trying to convince us that UNHCR was doing something special to allow us to remain here with nothing. He suggested it’s better to accept the plan of Food + 300$, than get nothing. What he said is not true. HKSAR has given Recognizance Paper to more than 7000 asylum-seekers in HK. If they didn’t want recognized refugees here, they wouldn’t allow asylum-seekers to be here either. (NB: HKSAR clearly wants refugees to stay or they wouldn’t fork out 5.18M to pay for rent and food now) What was very painful for us to hear was that Mr. RL repeatedly said, “I don’t care if you accept this plan of cutting the allowance or not!”. I swear, that is exactly what he said. Mr. RL also said “We need the money to pay UNHCR salaries and because of the drop in donation, we lost some staff who had to leave already.” He said their priority was to pay the staff and he gave this as one reason to cut the 1500 dollars.

We couldn’t believe what he was telling us. He kept repeating, “Because of the financial crisis in the world, we didn’t receive any money to support you!” and “The UNCHR doesn’t have any money.” He repeated this many time. He also said “UNHCR didn’t get donations last year, so we asked HK government to help you … and HK government doesn’t like refugees!” He wanted us to feel bad and scared. He was making sure we had no choice but to accept. We realized that somehow UNHCR needed our agreement to proceed with the allowance cut. He gave us five minutes to decide if we accept or not. We requested him to wait outside and he said, “I will not leave the room” and he stood there watching us discuss this matter. He was very angry. After these five minutes, based on poor health conditions and everything that we suffer already, because some of us cannot eat the food provided by the Pakistani shops, considering also the extra we have to pay for the extra cost, like rent, we said “We don’t accept the new plan!” It was obvious that we cannot say YES. We gave our opinion not to accept the UNHCR plan of cutting the assistance from 1500 to 300 dollars. We said we would not accept the government food. We said it was UNHCR’s job to take care of us. We clearly said NO and requested RL to go back to consult the top officer of UNHCR. We all repeated that we do not accept this new plan. At that point, Mr. RL said “It is up to you. I don’t care. You are free to leave now.” And we left assuming the plan was not going to proceed

There were two meeting at UNHCR in November: first meeting was for Asian refugees and Somali refugee (this was the large meeting I am reporting about), second meeting was only Somali and a few African refugees. I have friends who went to the second one and know what they talked about. I know that at the second meeting, the refugees also said they did NOT accept the new plan. At the second meeting UNHCR did not offer a choice “to accept or not to accept the new plan.” They had experience from the first day and they didn’t want the refugees to discuss the offer amongst themselves. They didn’t want refugees to argue with them. At the second meeting the UNHCR presented the plan as they had unilaterally decided – reducing allowance to 300 dollars – saying that it wasn’t even confirmed. They even added, “You must accept it. We cannot do anything about it”

[Signature withheld for fear of UNHCR retaliation]

I learned about Vision First from the story in the SCMP about refugee allowance cuts. I’d like to look into volunteering, I taught English to refugees in the US previously and I would be interested to do the same if needed here. I’m a corporate writer/editor so I’d be happy to help with any writing or editing you might need as well. Please let me know how to proceed and if you can use any other help.

I think it’s important to remember that since the HK government doesn’t allow refugees to work, they have little choice but to live on handouts. I’m sure all 180 would prefer a more dignified and gratifying way to stay alive if given the choice.

Hi, now I am happy today reading this great news! Thank you for your continued efforts, participation, constant financial help and mindful support. Thanks a lot – God bless you.

Thank you for the great work. We look forward to hearing about the next step. UNHCR is only business. Vision First is the best REFUGEE ADVOCATE in town – God bless.

Good afternoon. I thank you for your huge effort. please tell us if there is more action. We support VF. thank you

hello to everybody, this is a good news for the Hong Kong People and the Refugees in Hong Kong

I just finished reading. GREAT DAY!!! THANK YOU MY BROTHER!!!

UNHCR Hong Kong is saying they receive the money and they send it to Geneva. But why do they collect money in HK? Donors in HK hear that there is UNHCR office and they believe they are taking care of refugees. Now we know that all the money is going to Geneva and some is going to Africa. But if you cannot take care of the refugees here, how can we believe that you are helping refugees in other countries? We know friends who lived 10 even 20 years in the refugee camps in Africa and they didnt see the money. They actually see people dying every day because there isn’t enough money. If UNHCR is sending 100M to 20 camps, that is only 2 billion. if their budget is 4 billion – we still have a 2 billion problem? Besides if UNHCR really sent all the money to Africa then they would have solved the problem and people shouldnt be still escaping to HK to survive. If the UNHCR had solved the problems in the camps, why are refugees escaping the camps and telling us that they get no help from UNHCR there? Hong Kong is a small place with only 180 refugees. If UNHCR cannot solve the small problem here, why should we believe they are solving the big problem in the whole African Continent?

Before UNHCR work with Caritas? Why did Caritas stop working for UNHCR? Did they know their secrets? Did they feel uncomfortable with they way UNHCR handle the donations. Maybe they see that too much money go in and too little money go out. The Bible says, “If you say I love my God, but you never see your God, but you see your brother every day and you dont know how to love your brother. How can you say you love your God” The same for UNHCR: how can they say the love the refugee in Somalia, if they fail to love the refugee suffering at their doorstep at Room 911, Yaumatei Carpark, Hong Kong ??? We are watching your actions and we dont like what we see.

The 1500 dollars is not enough for one month. Why UNHCR Hong Kong not show us how to live on that money? If they can succeed then we are happy to accept. If they cannot survive, why make refugees suffer with 50$ a day for extra rent, extra food, cooking, kitchen thing, home thing, transport, electric, gas, phone, washing, bus, medicine and everything for school and children ??? This treatment is not human! UNHCR is torturing refugee in HK. UNHCR should close office. Thank you.

Last year a resettlement country accepted several hundred extra refugees. When I went to tell UNHCR Hong Kong about this, their reply was “It is not necessary that you read from the website and come to this office to tell us. What you need is to wait for our call” They don’t want us to get information. They want to keep us ignorant, so that it’s easier for them to do their job. That is why last weeks they were telling us not to go to Vision First. They don’t want refugees to have power to decide what is going on. They want to keep us in the dark like chickens in an egg farm that don’t know when it is nighttime or daytime outside. We are sick of UNHCR abuse and disrespect. Thank you Vision First for giving us courage and a strong voice.

I also am refugee for many years. Last year they give us 1500 dollars, but how much is minimum salary in Hong Kong. Over 6000! How is my level? They no compassion put me into the beggar society. Condemn me like a beggar. They say they can do that only. They say they don’t have funding. UNHCR officers are very slow, they don’t care to help refugee, they are very helpless people. Their job is very ridiculous. I call sometimes, they say “Officer busy, he call you back.” But they never call me back. It’s like a flood that wash everything good away. This kind of life is crazy life. This situation makes people crazy. UNHCR know that HK police are always targeting refugee, thinking that we do illegal things, that we are poor without any money. UNHCR know that HK people they understand refugee like beggars, no clean clothes, no job, everything old, always walking the street. UNHCR Hong Kong don’t help. UNHCR keep all the money, shut our mouths and do nothing to help our life. Hopeless only give to refugee. Suffering only give to refugee. We are very sad. We are very suffer because of UNHCR

Impressive result. I serve refugees pro-bono through friends who work for related NGOs. I find them to be exceptionally sensitive, considerate and intelligent people who have suffered more than their share of the horrors of the world. Perhaps UNHCR staff should learn to walk in refugee shoes, even experienced the nightmares they suffered, before behaving in such an uncivilized and degrading manner with their protected persons. Public officers should take an Oath of Compassion before allowed work with the vulnerable. If they fail it, best send them to work at the Post Office. Shame on the UNHCR Hong Kong!

This is great news. Blessings and CHEERING for the great work that you are doing. I will scan SCMP article because I didn’t get the newspaper. I will use that to start my own campaign amongst friends now that Vision First is more famous and they will be more interested and supportive.

UFO nation, oh sorry, I mean UNHCR – they provide protection by throwing refugees into the street, calling the police when we protest, barring us from making complaints, threatening us if we go to the press and allowing public to watch us so they don’t hurt themselves of get hurt 🙂

This is a very good start but it is not new to most of us we are from devastated country under war hunger and every extreme psychiatric fear and pain that a human being can face, for almost 22 years my nation have suffer what the world acknowledges it as worst humanitarian crisis in the world. I always ask myself why we are away like this for 22 years but time gave me that answer the reason we fight is due to international labelling, the reason we are hungry is due to the local farmers cannot compete with first world commerce farming if you go to collect food from the World food program only if you look like your rich person, because of international politics my people have to suffer and because the world want us to depend on aid is very clear depending on foreign aid can also have another definition donation and you know what they say beggar have no choice, yes we’re beggars today, and I have left my entire country for whom I could not defeat for 22 years I asked myself if the rest of the world is like this, after all this pain I was informed about the Universal Declaration of Human rights the best of all was #1 the right to be free from Hunger and also the right to be free # 30was the best of all NO one can take away your Human rights, but it’s very clear that the UNHCR is one more time labelling me under hanger and pain one more time with un clear further today I ask the UNHCR were is human rights and the international bill of human rights, please and please in the name of every human thing stop killing us with pain and help us after all not only the issue is the money with also looking at cases in a human way with little of professionalism in human kind i am not informing that you are not doing a good job but you are asked for more just think of who are in Hospitals for mental issues they are refugees or asylum seekers they only had the chance of losing their life’s back home but it’s a sham to humanity that they are yet under extreme psychiatric fear from the Hong Kong Government and the UNHCR. Stop killing us please you and your countries are also human and change can come let us all love a universal Human rights and respect it is never too late

I suggest a survey be conducted by NGOs to assess exactly what services are received by UNHCR applicants and refugees. The survey will knock down barriers of communications between charities, who might think that needs are met by other parties. The survey could be back by sworn affidavits by refugees who fear retaliation by UNHCR and therefore need to preserve their anonymity. I have no doubt the results will be a damning accusation of UNHCR failings despite the donations and trust they received from HK people.

We refugees will unite in our action with Vision First. We refuse to be subject to the forceful practices of UNHCR Hong Kong, who cut our subsidy by 80% when their collections IN OUR SUFFERING NAME are millions and millions of dollars. The UNHCR doesn’t see the difference between helping us and forcing us to suffer as beggars to every church, NGO, charity and neighbor. When we voice our complaints, they THREATEN TO CLOSE OUR CASE. This is not humanitarian work. This is a shame to the United Nations. We feel there is no hope with UNHCR Hong Kong and ask for an immediate investigation of their fundraising, salaries, expenses, management and policies. We are tired to be treated like animals. It is time for all refugees to unite and speak to the press about the true conditions we suffer in Hong Kong.Thank you Vision First for opening the door!

I wanted to contact concerning the article I read in the SCMP about the UNHCR cutting the stipend to refugees by 80%. I had this idea and I don’t know if it is reasonable or even helpful but I thought I would pass it on. I am an older woman who now lives alone. I live in Tai Po and the place where I live has two bedrooms. Maybe I could offer that room out to someone who has no longer the ability to pay rent and has nowhere to live. I’d expect there’d be the need for us to agree on some things and maybe it wouldn’t work out as there are a number of issues to consider. Anyway, it is a thought of what I could do for one person while more general efforts to relieve this outrageous situation continue. Please let me know if this seems like something that would work out. I look forward to hearing from you on this.

I am one of the refugees with a UNHCR certificate in their pocket. We are not asylum-seekers and we are not citizens. We are in limbo. Trapped between a past we had to escape and a future we are denied. I have no prospect of good future. I have no hope now. Without the right to work, we DEMAND support from UNHCR, but they refuse even the basics we need for survival. Why do they collect big money for other offices and not care for desperate refugees in HK? Do we need to return to the refugee camps in Africa, Afghanistan, India and Pakistan to get some help? If the answer is yes, please send me to your camp. I’m afraid that there I will be told that all the money is spent on refugees in Hong Kong. Disgrace to UNHCR who abandon us!

Who would have said this day would ever come!? Those United Nation types always think they are better-than-thou. I used to work for one of their agencies and I had to run away to keep my soul, to keep human, I would say. They assist 10.5 million refugees, but let me guess, everywhere you go, it’s in another country hahahahaha

It is terrible how refugees are forced to beg for everything they need every step of the way. How does UNHCR justify collecting 20 million dollars in donations and ignore the clients they themselves recognized in HK? Isn’t that comparable to a father refusing to support his young children? There is something very wrong with this picture.

As a UNHCR donor I am deeply concerned about the information published in Sunday Morning Post today. In particular what pertains to the wellbeing of refugee families in Hong Kong, that I assumed my contributions assisted. I have met several such families through fellow parishioners and know first hand the hard life they face, in particular single mothers with several children. An inquiry is urgently required to uncover the rational behind UNHCR punshing policies towards its clients. It is unacceptable that an international humanitarian agency ignores and ridicules the suffering of those itself recognized.

there is no clear path for UNHCR Hong Kong out of these alegations, except through a global audit. There’s no point saying these millions were sent to Geneva, if they remain unaccounted for. Further, there were 1,800,000 HKD collected for the Pakistan flooding at AMC. Where these sent to the Islamabad office? The devil is in the details. We must call for a swift investigation.

Somebody P_L_E_A_S_E get the Chinese Press onto this party !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I have some *helpful* friends that need to visit your website. I believe they will help you take this action to another level of concern. This is a very good start, Vision First, and I sure it was mighty difficult to get the ball rolling this far. There are powerful groups that support the UNHCR, but they are not above the law. They will learn that actions do have consequences. thank you

ahhh … a breath of fresh air … the UNHCR Hong Kong is not looking too clean today! Rough night la!

What an rocking article SCMP printed! I’m buzzing with excitement. Our refugee friends at church could not believe their eyes. They were like WOW this is really happening! HK people now know the facts! They suffered silently for too long, oppressed by UNHCR tight-fisted, high-handed tactics. Praise the Lord, Praise the Lord. Amen!

We speak for a group of refugeees assisted by Vision First. We thank you from our heart for assistance and concern over the years. We thank you very much for listen to us when nobody cares what we think or need. We thank you very much for give us a voice when nobody cares about us. We know you risk to fight for us and we proud of you. Vision First give refugee hope ! Thank you !

Wow – some great news to start the day. That should inspire UNHCR Hong Kong to treat their clients with more respect and dignity. Good job guys!

High 5 Vision First !!!

Great article! Great stuff! Great job VF!

Your article raises deep concerns in the community about the legitimacy and effectiveness of UNHCR presence in Hong Kong. Exactly who is doing what at UNHCR and how much are they being paid for their blatant incompetence? Who allows them to save HK$2,592,000, while collecting HK$20 million in 2010. How much did they collect in 2011?

There seems to be a grave lapse of judgement by whomever decided to increase the suffering of local refugees, who escaped grevious bodily harm, even death, to find sanctuary in our generous community. Clearly our funds are going into the wrong channel of distribution. An overhall of UNHCR Hong Kong is sorely needed!

Thank you for going public with this story. Ignorance of these facts makes refugees, donors, supporters, charities, NGOs and the general public weak before the UNHCR’s manuverings.

That’s awesome Cosmo! Thanks for making this happen. Now we can look forward to some changes at UNHCR and their ridiculously selfish policies. Time the refugees had their day in court, I say. Over and out!

I am refugee since 2008. I am sorry to say that all this UNHCR is doing is for show. And i believe they have very deep connection secretly with Hong Kong government under the table. They only care about own benefit and can sell up any refugee to deal with them. I know that they try to help them self. What UNHCR Hong Kong say is not important. We have to look what they can do for true – absolutely nothing….

After reading Vision First’s Open Letter I am deeply shocked and saddened to hear of the discrepancy between the UNHCR’s budget, which has totaled billions of dollars and paradoxically its reduction in the care and funds which are afforded to the most vulnerable, refugees. It seems that the UNHCR is not doing its job, and is merely an over-funded capricious institution, which lacks accountability. The fact that funds for refugees was cut by 80 percent by an agency that receives a large amount of funding does not add up. To me it seems that the UNHCR needs to answer some tough questions about why it is cutting funding, where all this money is being spent and why Hong Kong is not receiving its fair share. Although the UNHCR may point to the current economic crisis as a reason why private donors did not contribute enough, it is ludicrous as one only has to look at the fact that at least 2.1 million dollars was raised. The UNHCR needs to be more transparent with its finances and accountable to where its finances are spent.
Even more saddening and disastrous are the cuts that the UNHCR has made to refugee aid. It seems that the UNHCR lacks any compassion and is simply unconcerned about these vulnerable people. Namely the switch of food not cash, seems to have been taken without the consultation of other NGOS and refugees who suffer from these cuts. But it is the direct effects that the UNHCR needs to think about, these refugees may be forced into prostitution, crime and may lead to suicides because they do not have the means to survive. Such a decision will directly cause the deterioration of these refugees, risking their health, mental and physical, and leading them to make desperate choices.
Overall like most of the United Nations institutions and agencies, the UNHCR seems to be nothing more than a bureaucratic black hole which is over-funded and does little to fix things on the grassroots level. What is the point of having staff that receive high salaries when it is the poor that suffer on the street? What is the point of flashy suits and nice offices when the poor and vulnerable are forced to eat little and sell themselves or steal just to survive? The UNHCR needs to take a good hard look at its self and realize that its cuts do have REAL life consequences, these people are not statistics, they are living breathing humans. The UNHCR needs to increase its funding, consult with grassroots NGOS and also become more democratic and accountable by releasing financial information. This is unjust to those refugees in Hong Kong, the UNHCR and other ngos need to work towards peace with justice which is an elimination of structural violence, such as economic inequality. The UNHCH in its actions and lack of action is participating in structural violence, leading to the severe deterioration of this vulnerable group.

yes! Finally the facts are out. Those refugees had their $$$ cuts severely and they had no way to protest or have their voice head in public. Thank God for Vision First. UNHCR should go find a hole to hid in – LOL