The UN refugee agency UNHCR and the International Organization for Migration (IOM) said on Friday that they marked a major milestone in the resettlement of refugees from Bhutan in Nepal, with 100,000 people having been referred for resettlement to third countries since 2007.

A joint statement issued by UNHCR and IOM said nearly 80,000 of the refugees have started new lives in eight different countries. 

“Making 100,000 submissions and reaching nearly 80,000 departures are incredible achievements in the history of this refugee program and for UNHCR,” said Diane Goodman, UNHCR Acting Representative in Nepal.

“We have been able to achieve these major milestones thanks to the generosity of the resettlement countries and our donors, the great support of the Government of Nepal, and the resilience of the refugees,” she added.

So far, the USA has accepted the largest numbers (66,134) of refugees, followed by Canada (5,376), Australia (4,190), New Zealand (747), Denmark (746), Norway (546), the Netherlands (326) and the United Kingdom (317).

With nearly 80,000 refugees resettled from the original population of 108,000, the seven refugee camps in eastern Nepal have been merged into two -- Sanischare and Beldangi.

“We look back at these one hundred thousand stories with resolve and inspiration. We pay tribute to the courage of these women, men and children and to the generosity of those who welcome them at the other end,” said Maurizio Busatti, IOM Chief of Mission in Nepal. 

UNHCR continues to provide in-depth and targeted information on resettlement to the refugees through mobile information counseling in the camps.

"We count on resettlement countries to facilitate the speedy departure of refugees they have accepted for resettlement and to continue their strong support in finding comprehensive solutions for the remaining refugees from Bhutan," said Diane Goodman.

Since the large scale third country resettlement program started in Nepal six years ago, UNHCR has been interviewing refugees and referring them to resettlement countries for consideration. Once the refugees are accepted by resettlement countries, IOM conducts health assessments, organizes cultural orientation courses and transports the refugees from Nepal to their new homes. 

The statement said that six years into the program, there is still a steady stream of interest in resettlement from the refugee population. "Amongst the over 38,000 remaining refugees, some 29,000 have thus far expressed interest in resettlement," it stated.

Thousands of Bhutanese entered eastern part of Nepal through India during early 1990s. The western communities chose to resettle them in their countries after years-long Nepal-Bhutan talks with regard to repatriate them in Bhutan failed to yield any result.

Published on: 27 April 2013 | Republica