National 2 (Spotlight Weekly)

Hoping Against Hope

Despite constraints of funding, WFP manages to generate contribution to feed Bhutanese refugees

By KESHAB POUDEL, in Beldangi, Jhapa

More than a decade ago when the first batch of Bhutanese refugees crossed to Nepalese border from Mechi River - eastern border point 500 miles from capital Kathmandu - Nepalese politicians, human rights activists, media were there to support the cause of fleeing Bhutanese refugees.

By provoking them to rebel at their homeland, Nepalese politicians, human rights activists and media had committed all kinds of instigations. The refugees - who were so warmly welcomed and received moral support in Nepal as a friendly sign from their brethren - did not show any compromise and instead they left their homeland hoping to return with self respect.

“Many of us left our home in southern Bhutan voluntarily fearing arrests and assaults,” said a refugee on condition of anonymity. “There were rumors in all southern Bhutan area bordering with Assam that people of Nepalese origins would be executed. When I met leaders of Nepalese origin, they showed me the way to flee Bhutan and go to Nepal.”

“Had I died in my homeland, I would not have to face these uncertain days for such a long time. Although we are fed by World Food Program (WFP), surviving in a small hut in uncertain condition is no better than being dead,” wailed a refugee.

The initial welcoming euphoria in Nepal did not last long as it gradually gave way to growing disenchantment and resentment. The media, human rights organizations and politicians all started to raise the matter whether during bilateral ministerial meeting or demonstrations by refugees.

After 14 years and 14 rounds of failed ministerial meetings, the refugees' issues are nowhere near to the solution. They are today surviving with the help of the United Nations particularly the UN WFP and United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR).

Occasionally, some activists of Bhutanese human rights organizations and political leaders raise the banner of Bhutanese refugees but without any impact. As long as Bhutanese human rights leader Tek Nath Rijal - who was recently awarded international travel document by Nepalese government - was inside Bhutanese territory, there was someone to raise their cause peacefully inside Bhutan. Rijal- who raised the first rebellion voice against the Bhutanese establishment – is now living in Nepal pressing to internationalize the issue.

As Maoist insurgency intensifies, Nepal government is more involved in its internal problem and the cause of refugees and their human catastrophe, is overshadowed or has become less significant. In spite of several rounds of meeting, the deadlock is yet to break.

“I am doubtful that Nepalese, who cannot do anything to save Nepalese citizens, will solve the complicated Bhutanese refugee problems. Frankly speaking, it is beyond the capability of Nepal,” said a former foreign minister on condition of anonymity.

Frustrated by continuing imbroglio, some Bhutanese refugees, who are qualified and well-educated, have already migrated to Canada, Australia and some others are traveling around the world in the name of internationalizing the Bhutanese refugee problems but overwhelming majority of refugees, most of who are uneducated and poor- are languishing in the Beldangi and six other camps in eastern Nepal mulling over their hardships and uncertain future.

Small thatches with small bed and kitchen, refugee homes are just enough for small families. As the families expand, they have started partitioning the small huts to accommodate new members.

Thanks to the food aid provided by the international donor communities, the refugees living in politically troubled country are surviving. The UN WFP has been feeding the refugees for the last twelve years.

As the refugee imbroglio persists, there is no sign of immediate solution. International donor agencies, too, have no option other than to support refugees in their day-to-day survival. Bhutan - sandwiched between two Asian powers India and China – too has not shown enough interest to resolve the imbroglio as it seems to have very limited choice.

From the exaggerated reports of penetration of Maoists into Bhutanese refugee camps to bad practices, various rumors are flying. But the refugees are living peacefully with minimum food calories provided by the WFP. More than 100,000, Bhutanese refugees - whose claim is on the process of being verified - are waiting to go back to their home.

Given the uneasy situation of South Asia, there is a very little possibility of early repatriation of refugees. Following a mob attack against the Bhutanese officials in Khudunabari refugee camp a year ago, the process of verification was stalled and there is no sign of its resumption any time soon.

“I want to go back home. In my last days, I wish to distribute my lands among my sons,” said Lalimaya Khanal, 95, who has three sons and two daughters. Like other refugees, she is living in a small hut along with her family. Lalimaya is not alone in expressing such feelings. Other refugees, too, share similar hardships.

The WFP is responsible for procurement, transport, handling and distribution of food commodities provided in the general and supplementary feeding programs. The operation began in January 1992 as Emergency Food Assistance to Bhutanese and in 2000, evolved into Protracted Relief and Recovery Operation (PRRO). PRRO runs from 1 July 2004 to 30 June 2005.

According to the estimates by WFP, it requires US dollar 7,599,440 to feed 103,196 refugees living in different camps. The estimate shows that the refugees need 14,905 Metric tons of rice, 2,181 MT of pulses, 921 MT of vegetable oil, 205 MT of Blended food, 740 MT of sugar and 273 MT of iodized salt. WFP distributes 410 grams of rice, 40 grams of lentils, 20 grams chickpeas, 20 grams sugar, 25 grams vegetable oil and 7.5 grams salt per person per day. There is also supplementary feeding for health by Association of Medical Doctors of Asia (AMDA).

The general food ration is distributed fortnightly, carried out by refugees themselves under the direction of the Distributing Committee within each refugee camp management committee under overall supervision of NRCS.

“These refugees are very nice people and they are very disciplined and honest. Once we unload the stuffs, they distribute the goods by themselves,” said a program officer of WFP Damak Sub office. According to WFP, it provides food assistance to the refugees within the framework of the letter of understanding with the government of Nepal, and through the standard Memorandum of Understanding with UNHCR, which is responsible for the overall management and the protection of the refugee camps.

At a time when countries around the world are losing interest about the decade-old refugee impasse, the European Community has agreed to continue its support. Just a few days ago, the European Community Humanitarian Office (ECHO) contributed another 2 million Euro to the WFP.

The WFP said that the donation will be spent to procure some 6500 tons of rice, pulses, lentils, oil, and salt and fortified blended food for the Bhutanese refugees living in camps in Jhapa and Morang districts. “The contribution made will not only help sustain Bhutanese refugees but will also benefit the local economy because the WFP will procure this food from local traders,” said WFP press release.

The refugees are grateful for the support. “We are caught up in a complex situation with no solution in sight. We are thankful to ECHO for sympathizing with us and providing assistance. This is a meaningful contribution that will help 100,000 refugees survive four months,” a refugee said.

There are 17,795 refugees in Beldangi I camp; 22,600 in Beldangi II ; and 11,011 in Beldangi extension. This is the largest concentration of refugees. As the refugee issue became protracted, donor countries are losing their patience.

When more than 15,000 Tibetan refugees were given free way to integrate with Nepalese by offering them ways to sustain themselves, the time might have come now to consider providing similar facilities to the Bhutanese refugees whose talent and expertise can be exploited to benefit Nepal. The WFP is implementing vocational training for refugees and locals through CARITAS, while also supporting them in a micro-credit program to start small-scale enterprises within the camps.

As there is no sign of beginning of verification process and early repatriation, UNWFP is a sole international agency providing minimum requirement of foods to save the refugees.