Press Release.

ORGANIZATION OF BHUTANESE COMMUNITIES IN AMERICA

Press Release                                                                  Date: 1/15/2016
OBCA update on 100K Bhutanese Refugee Resettlement Event:

Organization of Bhutanese Communities in America (OBCA) is pleased to bring its update to the public on 100K Bhutanese Refugee Resettlement Event organized by UNHCR/IOM in Kathmandu, Nepal on 19 November, 2015.

Mr. Dilip Dahal attended the aforesaid event in the capacity of Vice chairman of OBCA on the invitation of UNHCR Country Representative-Nepal. As a speaker in the forum, Mr. Dahal, on behalf of the resettled Bhutanese refugees, extended his sincere gratitude towards the Government of Nepal for generously hosting Bhutanese refugees, expressed indebtedness towards UNHCR for providing protection and assistance for more than two decades and conveyed gratefulness towards IOM and resettlement countries for offering third country resettlement program.

Mr. Dahal was also featured in the photo exhibition which was a part of the event portraying activities and success stories of the resettled Bhutanese in core countries.

During his stay in the Nepalese capital, Mr. Dahal met the Nepalese President, Prime Minister, Ministers and other various dignitaries from across the diplomatic arenas. The following issues were covered in the meeting with them:

1. Set light on the plight of the remaining Bhutanese in the refugee camps in Nepal.
2. Shared progress made by the resettled Bhutanese in America.
3. Dahal visited US Embassy in Kathmandu where he met with Ms. Cecile Palden, an embassy officer. During the meeting, besides sharing progress made by resettled Bhutanese in America, he shared roles, activities and experiences of OBCA working in community.
4. Dahal also presented progress made by Bhutanese in America and shared roles and activities of OBCA with the representatives of UNHCR and IOM during his separate meeting with them.
5. Discussion on possible collaboration between UNHCR/Caritas-Nepal and OBCA also transpired in the meeting. In this regard, OBCA expressed its willingness to sponsor certain number of plus-two Bhutanese refugee students who are in need of support to pursue their higher studies.
6. In addition, Mr. Dahal too participated in the talk between the Nepalese Prime Minister and UNHCR Country Representative Mr. Craig Sanders. They discussed on repatriation, resettlement and sustainable solutions of Bhutanese refugees. With gesture from the PrimeMinister, UNHCR Country Representative said he was ready to bring proposal for sustainable solutions to remaining population in camps as one prong of the whole solutions.

An appreciation letter received by OBCA from UNHCR Country Representative-Nepal is attached herewith for public consumption.

Thank you.

Mr. DB Rai
Chairman, OBCA