Refugee resettlement processing center established, 13,000 refugees to be resettled this year

A refugee resettlement processing center for the Bhutanese refugees languishing in refugee camps in Nepal has been established in eastern Nepal city of Damak in Jhapa district. The center which officially opened on January 9 is operated by the International Organization for Migration (IOM)

Informing about the opening of the center by issuing a press release Wednesday on behalf of the Kathmandu-based representatives of the Core Group of Nations working closely with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees in support of the refugees from Bhutan, US ambassador Nancy Powell said, "It is our hope that in 2008 more than 13,000 refugees will be resettled from Nepal. By the end of 2009, we hope that an additional 20,000 or more refugees who have chosen resettlement will be starting new lives in the United States, Australia, Canada, and elsewhere."

Australia, Canada , Denmark, Norway including the United States of America comprise the Core Groups of Nations that have shown interest in resettlement of Bhutanese refugees in their respective countries.

"Each refugee is entitled to make his or her own choice, in an atmosphere free from threats and intimidation," the US ambassador said in her statement, adding "we thank the Government of Nepal, through the efforts of the Nepal Police and Armed and Civilian Police for its work in improving the security and safety of the refugees in the camps.

Emphasizing that the offer of resettlement "goes hand in hand with our continuing efforts to urge the Government of Bhutan to accept the return of the refugees", Powell called upon Nepal government "to approve expedited exit permits for all refugees who are currently otherwise eligible for resettlement and to establish for future use a standardized process for the expeditious departure of refugees who wish to be resettled." nepalnews.com ag Jan 16 07