The UNHCR is responsible for the costs of the care and maintenance of Vietnamese migrants but for 1997 could meet only $4 million out of the $20 million incurred,bringing to $1.16 billion its accumulated debt to Hong Kong since 1989.

• 专员署负责照顾船民的费用及船民的生活费。一九九七年，这些开支达2；000万元，但专员署仅能支付其中的400万元，以致该署自一九八九年以来亏欠香港政府的债项累积至11.；6亿元。