MILLIONS of dollars in damage and staff costs are still being assessed nearly two weeks after hundreds of Vietnamese went on an eight-hour rampage through the High Island detention centre.
The local United Nations refugee agency has sent the Government a list detailing damage to its offices, computers, telephones and other equipment. It has refused to return to the camp until repairs are made and security can be guaranteed.
The Correctional Services Department (CSD) which administers the camp has also had to introduce extra security patrols to protect the centre section of High Island which houses administration buildings.
The offices of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) were completely gutted when inmates broke through internal fences and set several of them on fire.
Inmates failed to get in to the CSD admin office containing important files but broke into a uniform store, dressing as CSD officers at the height of the unrest.
Each time an operation to remove people in camp transfers or for deportation flights is mounted, about 2,000 police and CSD officers are assigned. Recent operations have seen dozens of security officers injured.
