United Nations
Information Centre | Nepal
UNHCR Country Operations Plan 2002 - Nepal
Abstract:
UNHCR's major role in Nepal is to seek durable solutions for approximately 98,900 Bhutanese refugees. Pending a durable solution, UNHCR continues to provide for their care and maintenance in eastern Nepal. The influx of Bhutanese refugees into Nepal began in late 1991 and peaked in 1992. This influx was caused by the strict implementation of Bhutan’s citizenship policy and other relevant factors and developments in the country. UNHCR and WFP started a care and maintenance programme and the distribution of food to 80,000 refugees in 1992 upon the request of the Government of Nepal. Refugees who arrived prior to 1 June 1993 were granted "prima facie" refugee status by the Government. New arrivals, after the cut-offdate, were required to undergo refugee status determination. The refugees are at present sheltered in seven camps in Jhapa and Morang Districts of Eastern Nepal. UNHCR continues to assist newly arrived Tibetans for their transit through Nepal. UNHCR assisted 2,319 Tibetans in 2000. Tibetans are provided protection and assistance in the form of shelter, food, health care and transport while in Nepal. Tibetans who arrived prior to 1 January 1990 (approximately 20,000) are permitted to remain in Nepal. UNHCR is promoting with the Nepalese authorities the updating of registration and travel documents of those settled in Nepal. Upon UNHCR intervention, a new type of travel document was introduced as of 1st January 2001. This new travel document is in line with internationally accepted standards and is recognised by other countries. There are a small number of individual asylum seekers of various nationalities that are of concern to UNHCR in Nepal. Nepal is neither a signatory to the 1951 Geneva Convention nor the 1967 Protocol and has no national legislation dealing with asylum seekers and refugees. The UNHCR Branch Office undertakes its own mandate refugee status determination. Those recognised by UNHCR are tolerated by the Government. They have no right to work and their prospect for long-term stay is therefore limited. UNHCR provides them with refugee documentation and financial assistance on a case by case basis pending a durable solution. Solutions for this caseload comprise of resettlement or voluntary return to their country of origin. #Refugees #AsylumSeekers #UNHCR
Publisher: UNHCR Type / Script:
Official Document  in  English
Keywords:
 REFUGEES, MIGRANTS, BHUTANESE, BHUTAN, MYANMAR REFUGEES, ASYLUM SEEKERS, DISPLACED PERSONS, REFUGEE ASSISTANCE, REFUGEE CAMPS, REFUGEE LAW, REFUGEE PLACEMENT, REFUGEE PROTECTION, REFUGEE STATUS, REFUGEE-RECEIVING COUNTRIES, RESETTLEMENT POLICY
Thematic Group:
UNHCR, (2001)
Thesaurus:
13.01.00 - Protection Of And Assistance To Refugees And Displaced Persons
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