GENEVA, June 30 (UNHCR) The exodus of hundreds of thousands of Vietnamese from their country in flimsy boats during the 1970s and 1980s focused world attention on the plight of so-called "boat people" for the first time. More than two decades later people are still fleeing their countries to escape violence, persecution or poverty and making perilous ocean journeys in a bid to reach sanctuary and a better life overseas. Many never make it, while a few lucky ones are rescued by passing ships mainly merchant vessels.
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