The objective of the ODP was to provide a mechanism for Vietnamese to leave their homeland safely and in an orderly manner to be resettled abroad.
In June 1979, more than 54,000 Vietnamese refugees arrived by boat in neighboring Southeast Asian countries and Hong Kong.
This culminated in several months in which the numbers of refugees making the dangerous passage in small boats from Vietnam had steadily grown.
"[1] In response, the UNHCR convened an international conference in Geneva, Switzerland, in July 1979, stating that "a grave crisis exists in Southeast Asia for hundreds of thousands of refugees."
The worst of the humanitarian crisis was over, although boat people would continue to leave Vietnam for more than another decade and die at sea or be confined to lengthy stays in refugee camps.
[6] The following table identifies those countries accepting the greatest number of Vietnamese immigrants under the Orderly Departure Program.