Denmark donates to feed Bhutanese in exile

Denmark donates to feed Bhutanese refugees
Monday, 14 December 2009 17:52

Denmark government has extended financial assistance of Rs 4.6 million (USD60,000) to United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) on Monday to help feed more than 85,000 Bhutanese refugees who have been living in camps in Eastern Nepal over the last 18 years.

"As Chairperson for the core group of countries concerned about the refugees from Bhutan, I am happy that we can give WFP a helping hand," Danish Ambassador, Finn Thilsted is quoted in a statement issued by Danish embassy in Kathmandu.

"The number of refugees resettled to a third country has now reached 25,000. The process of solving the problem of the refugees is moving fast now. It is therefore important we do not meet obstacles including food shortages to the refugees," Thilsted added.

The contribution from Denmark will support both emergency and longer-term humanitarian projects in Nepal.

"We are very grateful for this contribution and the ongoing support from the Government of Denmark for the refugees from Bhutan," said WFP Deputy Country Representative, Dominique Hyde.

Under their current status, the Bhutanese refugees are restricted from engaging in economic activities outside the camps and from owning land. This makes humanitarian assistance, such as food assistance supported by the international donor community, essential to fulfilling their basic needs.

At the request of the Government of Nepal, WFP has been providing food assistance to the refugees since 1992, in close coordination with the UN refugee agency, UNHCR. nepalnews.com