On Thursday 19th, program was held in K
athmandu Nepal to mark the successful resettlement of 100,000 Bhutanese Refugees. The chief guest, Rt. Hon’ble Prime Minister of Nepal Mr. K.P. Sharma Oli inaugurated the event and welcoming remarks was made by UNHCR Representative and IOM chief Mission. Program was jointly organized by UN refugee agency and the International Organization for Migration (IOM).
The new history created with the successful resettlement of 100,000 Bhutanese Refugees. UNHCR Nepal Representative Craig Sanders stated – “This is one of the largest and most successful programmes of its kind and the resettlement of nearly nine out of 10 Bhutanese refugees is an extraordinary achievement.” UNHCR official statistic shows that Australia (5,554), Canada (6,500), Denmark (874), New Zealand (1002), the Netherlands (327), Norway (566), the United Kingdom (358) and the United States of America (84,819) Refugees were resettled.
Australian Ambassador Mr. Glenn White, US Ambassador Ms. Alaina Teplitz, Vice Chairman of OBCA(Organization of Bhutanese communities inAmerica) Mr. Dilip K. Dahal and Ms. Devi Maya Thapa(100,000 resettled refugee) were the special guest to remark the event.
Mr. Dahal the OBCA Vice Chair, while giving his remarks marking of the resettlement of 100,000 Bhutanese refugees, what he has spoken? Here we have kept his words as it is.
“Note on 100K Bhutanese Refugee Resettlement Event: November 19, 2015
Respected Chief Guest, Right Honorable Prime Minister, Ministers, your Excellencies, Government officials, the Representatives of UN agencies, Distinguished Delegates, Ladies and Gentlemen,
It is my honor to be here in Kathmandu to attend the event “Marking the Resettlement of Hundred Thousand Bhutanese refugees.”
It was March 2008 when I was resettled as a refugee to the United States. Today, I am back after seven years – not as a stateless refugee, but as a proud new American citizen.
I am also representing my community organization – Organization of Bhutanese Communities in America (OBCA) – an umbrella organization that brings all the resettled Bhutanese in the US to assist the Bhutanese refugee community integrate into the mainstream community.
In the span of seven years, our community members have progressed well in their new homes. The Bhutanese students are receiving renowned scholarships, some have started their own business, and some are getting government jobs too.
I take this opportunity to extend my sincere appreciation towards the Government of Nepal for generously hosting tens of thousands of Bhutanese refugees. Likewise, we are much indebted towards UNHCR for providing protection and assistance for more than two decades.
Also, we are grateful towards IOM and resettlement countries for offering us the third country resettlement programme.
Last but not the least, my organization hopes that the generous hands of the Government of Nepal, UNHCR, IOM and international community’s humanitarian efforts will continue for finding durable solutions to the remaining refugee in the camps.
Once again I would like to thank UNHCR and IOM for inviting my organization and providing this forum to speak in front of you all.
Thank you
Organization of Bhutanese Communities in America ( OBCA )”
He also met Rt. Hon’ble Prime Minister Mr. K.P. Sharma Oli and presented a token of love ( Pashupatinath temple ) on behalf of OBCA and resettled Bhutanese in America . Responding to our telephone query Mr. Dilip K. Dahal, Vice chair of OBCA said, “I have kept important agendas of Bhutanese refugees related with double solution for people residing in the camp and resettlement process.” He’s been called tomorrow again with UNHCR Country Head, Craig Sanders. He has scheduled to meet with President of Nepal on this Monday.
