Himalayan News Service

Kathmandu, March 24:

The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) today clarified that there is no reduction in the overall level of assistance to the Bhutanese refugees in 2005, which is largely expected to continue in 2006 pending the implementation of lasting solution to the refugee crisis in Nepal. Denying news reports on considerable reduction in the supply of essential items to the Bhutanese refugees, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees in a statement today said the reduction in assistance relates to the allocation of new bamboo and thatch for shelter, which it said is a technical matter whereby distribution is being rationalised to meet mostly the needs of vulnerable and needy refugees only. It said this reduction had been discussed at length with the refugee camp management committees in each of the refugee camps and with the informal groups. “The refugees themselves have been involved in the selection of beneficiaries and most of them have accepted the idea and understood the concept of selective distribution of new bamboo and thatch in UNHCR’s overall approach to prioritise the meeting of requirements,” it said.