Nepal (see also Bahrain)

More refugees to migrate to the US, Europe

Many Bhutanese refugees are planning to apply for resettlement in the US or in other European countries, with most of them having no prospects of returning home. A refugee camp in Bhadrapur alone has 9,770 Bhutanese refugees.  The refugees were forced out of their homes by Bhutanese authorities in the 1990s. The UNHCR reports that around 25,000 Bhutanese refugees have applied for resettlement to the US, which offered to admit 60,000 Bhutanese refugees in 2006. In late March, 100 ethnic Nepalese left their country for the US. Over 10,000 refugees in the seven camps are expected to leave this year as well.

Meanwhile, the UNHCR will rebuild huts and camps for almost 10,000 Bhutanese refugees in Goldhap camp, eastern Nepal, after a fire burned down their homes in early March. Restoration of the camp is expected to be finished by July. 

Nepal-Bahrain sign MoU

Nepal and Bahrain on April 29 signed a memorandum of understanding on labor and occupational training which will provide Nepalese workers more benefits and opportunities in Bahrain.  The agreement includes granting Nepalese workers legal status equal to Bahraini workers.  This will give Nepalese workers more opportunities to upgrade their skills through vocational training and more protection for their rights.  The agreement also allows Nepali recruiting agencies to establish offices in Bahrain so they will have direct contact with employers there.

Sources: Kazuo Nagata, “Bhutanese refugees have eye on U.S. Emigration increasing from Nepal to United States, Europe as repatriation hopes fade,” Daily Yomiuri, 19 April 2008; Xinhua, “UNHCR rebuilding camps for Bhutanese refugees living in Nepal,” People’s Daily Online, 24 April 2008; “Nepali workers in Bahrain to get legal status,” Kantipur, 30 April 2008