“This is a fantastic outcome, the kind of an outcome made possible by the incredible generosity of the resettlement countries, the resilience of the refugees and the great support from the Nepali government and people,” said UNHCR Representative Stephane Jaquemet in a statement on Wednesday.[break]
Refugees originating from Bhutan have been resettled in eight different countries - United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Norway, Denmark, The Netherlands and United Kingdom. There were 108,000 refugees from Bhutan residing in the camps in eastern Jhapa and Morang districts before the resettlement. Of the 63,000 remaining in the camps, more than 47,000 have expressed an interest in resettlement and are expected to depart within the next four years.
“The departure of the 50,000th Bhutanese refugee from Nepal for resettlement abroad is a noteworthy milestone, one that marks the realization of the efforts of a multi-national partnership among nine nations and the United Nations,” said the US Ambassador Scott H DeLisi, adding, “The United States has so far welcomed more than 42,000 Bhutanese refugees as new residents of our country and we expect that number to increase as the program continues,” Jai Prasad Sunuwar, the 50,000th refugee to be resettled from Nepal, will start his new life in South Dakota, United States.
DeLisi said he is delighted that the United States has been one of the leaders in this effort to offer this refugee population a chance to build a new future for themselves and their families.”
The UN refugee agency is responsible for interviewing refugees and referring their names to resettlement countries while the IOM conducts health assessments, organizes cultural orientation courses and transports the refugees from the four camps in eastern Nepal to their countries of resettlement.
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