A programme launched four years ago to resettle Bhutanese refugees in eastern Nepal camps has crossed 50,000 mark on August 1, UNHCR Nepal revealed today.

Under the programme launched in November 2007, refugees have been resettled in eight countries, most of them in the US. Other countries of destination are Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Norway, Denmark, the Netherlands and the UK. “This is a fantastic outcome, the kind of outcome made possible by incredible generosity of resettlement countries, the resilience of refugees and the support of Nepali government and people,” said UNHCR representative Stephane Jaquemet.

Jai Prasad Sunuwar, the 50,000th refugee to be resettled, will begin his new life in South Dakota, the US.

“The departure of the 50,000th Bhutanese is a noteworthy milestone, one that marks the realisation of efforts of a multi-national partnership among nine nations and the UN,” said US Ambassador Scott H DeLisi.

“The success of this project is attributed to excellent cooperation among all partners, including the Government of Nepal and the countries of resettlement,” said International Organisation for Migration (IOM) Chief of Mission Sarat Dash.

“IOM is committed to concluding the project in the same efficient manner that has been demonstrated over the past four years.” At the start of the programme, there were 108,000 refugees from Bhutan residing in Nepal’s Jhapa and Morang districts.

“The US has so far welcomed more than 42,000 refugees and we expect that number to increase as the programme continues,” said Ambassador DeLisi.

“At the same time, we continue to hope that the Government of Bhutan will allow those who want to return to their country to do so,” he added.

“I also want to applaud the government, especially the people of Nepal for their generosity in hosting the Bhutanese refugee community for over two decades. It is a testament to great hospitality and humanitarian spirit of Nepalis.”

Of the 63,000 refugees remaining in the camps, more than 47,000 have expressed interest in resettlement programme.

Published on: 18 August 2011 | The Himalayan Times