Census in camps to update population statistics

Source: Apfanews.com
Biratnagar, September 28: UN resident representative in Nepal Mathew Kahane has said census to count the exiled Bhutanese staying in eastern Nepal would start immediately after the Hindu festivals ends.
The documentation of the population figure is being undertaken for updating information on the latest health, education and other status of the exiled Bhutanese in the camps including children, women and disabled.

Talking to media persons in Biratnagar on Wednesday, Kahane said he discussed the matter with the officers of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in Damak on the possibilities to carry out counting working after Tihar.

"The UNHCR is doing preparatory works for that," Kahane said.
Opining that there should not be only one option for solving the crisis, he emphasized seeking different solutions as per the circumstances, aspirations and needs of the concerned people.

He denied commenting on the role of India in finding solution of the one-and-half-decade long crisis.

Vulnerables to get TD, Registration process to begin

Source: Apfanews.com
Kathmandu, September 1: After the completion of verification, Nepalese Foreign Ministry has agreed to exit Travel Document (TD) to 16 most vulnerable exiled Bhutanese categorized by UNHCR.

According to sources, the verified includes a man, one mother along with a baby and 14 young girls involved in rape cases. Among them, one of the girls is reported to have been missing.

Canada, Denmark, Norway, Switzerland, Newzealand, Australia and America, which are willing to accept refugees, have formed a core group. According to Foreign Secretary, the group has been waiting the additional process of resettlement from Nepalese side.

Earlier, addressing the Bhutanese leaders at his residence in Biratnagar, PM Girija Prasad Koirala has said he was unaware about the government decision to resettle.

Majority of the refugees and their organization have already opposed the decision. Series of demonstrations were launched inside and outside camps as well.

Meanwhile, the Nepalese government and UNHCR have decided to start authentic registration process from October 8. Tribhuvan University students will be extending their support and participation in the process. As per Assistant Secretary at Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the registration takes at least one month to complete. This would help to find the total figure including their age and real situation in camps.