Socialist Republic of Vietnam

UNITED NATIONS | August 06, 2005 2:11:35 AM IST

Montagnard refugees returned or deported from Cambodia to Vietnam seem to be adapting, U.N. officials say after finishing their first monitoring visit.

Representatives from the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees visited 21 people in the region and found they were working or enrolled in job-training courses offered by the Vietnamese government, said refugee agency spokeswoman Jennifer Pagonis in Geneva Friday. UNHCR reported rice, salt and other supplies were donated to the refugees by local authorities trying to ease their transition.

During the mission, officials visited returnees who were being monitored by human rights groups, she said.

Since reaching an agreement early this year on resettlement solutions for Montagnards living in Cambodia, 137 have returned to Vietnam and 480 remain in Cambodia under the care of the refugee agency, the spokesman said.

(UPI)